Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of plantation time (10, 20 and 30 June) on plant growth and floret quality of four commercial varieties of Gladiolus (White Prosperity, Amsterdam, Nova Lux and Victor Borge), planted in open field under ecological conditions of Erzurum by comparing varieties for their sprouting time, spiking time, stem length, the number of florets and harvesting time. As the result of the study, 20 June was found to be the most suitable plantation time when considered sprouting and spiking time and White Prosperity is the best varieties. The largest length belongs to White Prosperity, while the lowest is Nova Lux and plantation time did not affect plant length significantly (p < 0.01). White Prosperity is the best variety for floret number and harvesting time (84.24 days) when June 10 is considered to be the best plantation time.

Key words: Erzurum, Gladiolus varieties, plantation time.