Question

Gladiolus is commercially propagated through _________.

Hint:

Gladiolus grows from a swollen underground stem, not from a bulb or a tuber.

Answer 1

Step 1: Recall the types of propagation:
Plants are multiplied by seeds, cuttings, layering, grafting, bulbs, corms and tubers.
Gladiolus is a flowering plant grown for cut flowers.

Step 2: Identify the plant part used:
Gladiolus grows from a corm. A corm is a short, thick, underground stem with buds on top.
Each corm produces one or two flower spikes.
It also forms small baby corms, called cormels, around its base.

Step 3: Why not seeds:
Seeds take longer and give plants that differ from the parent.
Corms and cormels give true-to-type plants that flower sooner.

Final Answer:
Gladiolus is commercially propagated through corms (and cormels).