Here is a video of the engine. There are marks on the ball to make it's rotation easier to see. You will notice that at the start I hold the ping-pong ball in my hand very briefly so the liquid nitrogen will boil and start the rotation quickly.
They can be planted in the spring around your last frost date. Gladioli bloom about 90 days (three months) after they sprout in spring, so the bloom time really depends on when you plant them. In warm climates, where they stay in the ground year-round, gladioli bloom anytime from late spring (deep South) to midsummer (middle South).
Step 2. Dig holes for the gladiolus bulbs that are 4 inches deep and approximately 6 inches apart. Place one bulb into each prepared hole so that the pointed side of the bulb faces up. Cover the bulbs with soil and pat the soil down firmly over the bulb.