How to Stake Gladiolus

Staking your gladiolus plants provides a way to ensure that they grow tall and straight. The length of the stakes depends on the anticipated growth of your gladiolus plants.

Staking Single Plants

1. Place the tip of a 1-by-1-inch stake near the base of the gladiolus plant, taking care to avoid the plant's root system.

2. Tap the stake gently into the ground with the hammer, burying at least 10 inches of the stake.

3. Secure the gladiolus spike to the stake by tying garden twine around the spike and stake, beginning near the base of the spike and continuing every 10 inches or so until you reach the upper portion of the spike.

Staking Plants in a Cutting Garden

1. Place the tip of a 2-by-2-inch stake on the ground at the end of a row of gladiolus plants.

2. Tap the end of the stake with a hammer until at least 10 inches are buried.

3. Place another 2-by-2-inch stake at the opposite end of the row, and tap it into the ground in the same manner. Place additional stakes every 10 feet between the two ends, and bury them at least 10 inches deep.

4. Tie the end of a long piece of garden twine to the first stake, about 10 inches above the ground.

5. String the twine down the entire row of stakes, winding it around each one at the 10-inch mark. End by tying off the twine and cutting it at the final stake.

6. Place another long piece of garden twine 20 inches from the ground on the first stake, and continue down the line in the same manner as with the 10-inch string.

7. Tie individual plants or spikes to the twine or stakes. Do not tie them too tightly -- you only want to provide support, not harm the plant.