196 Cornell Extension Bulletin 10 



Groff (1906 b) gives the following excellent suggestions for the care 

 of the cut blooms : 



Cut the spike when the first flower opens and place in water without overcrowding. 

 Remove the terminal buds soon, as tliis checks stalk development and throws the 

 strength into the larger and earlier maturing flowers. The end of the stalk should 

 be shortened and the water renewed daily with frequent cleansing of the vases. In 

 shortening the stalk cut diagonally, to insure free absorption of water by the spike 

 without the contamination and obstruction, caused by sediment, if cut at a right angle. 



. . . Blooming the spikes in the shade of room or piazza modifies the field colors, 

 from bright shades and tints to delicate flushes and shadings, and also reduces the 

 latter types to the faintest tinge of color or white. . . . 



The advent of my new hybrids producing the most intense and deep shades of 

 violet, purple, crimson and scarlet . . . makes it desirable that these brilliant 

 combinations be preserv'ed when the spikes are cut for decorative purposes. 



To ensure this most desirable result, place the vases of these highly colored types 

 in the early morning sun for an hour or two daily, preferably after renovation and 

 renewal of the water. . . . 



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One of the causes of. the popularity of the gladiolus as a decorative flower, is the 

 fact that it has no perfume, as there are few flowers used for this purpose that are 

 not distasteful to some one — particularly in closed rooms — either from personal 

 preference or painful association. 



Where the pollen proves irritating to the tissues of the respiratory organs . . . 

 the anthers may be easily pinched out during the dail}^ renovation. . . . This 

 removal of the anthers is desirable in the highly colored Jtypes, . . . where the 

 shed pollen dulls the brilliancy of the petals on which it may fall. 



The consideration of the gladiolus as a cut flower is not complete with- 

 out a discussion as to the proper way to cut a spike. A conn is a thick- 

 ened base of a stem, and this being the case there must be leaves re- 

 maining to nourish and feed this corm. Thus, in cutting the blooms, 

 two or three leaves should always be left on the plant. The spike may 

 be cut with a short enough stem to accommodate this balance, or one may 

 merely cut into the leaves and through the stem, taking onh' enough leaves 

 to be used in the bouquets. Cutting the stems too long is a common mis- 

 take of the amateur. 



The spikes are being used more and more in the making of floral designs, 

 for bases of standing wreaths, and in large clusters for sprays. The indi- 

 vidual flowers have in many cases taken the place of liHes and orchids 

 in wedding and presentation bouquets and baskets. The graceftil spikes 

 of the Gladiolus nanus varieties are especially valuable for corsage bou- 

 quets or for small baskets, or arranged in flower holders, or japanas, 

 placed in bowls of water. If these varieties were better kno^^m and appre- 

 ciated, the demand wotild be great. Many of the large flower shops 

 use them when they can be obtained. As a summer flower for large dec- 

 orations the gladiolus is unexcelled, especially when placed in large vases 

 or hampers and used on porches or yachts, or in hotels, simmier resorts, 

 churches, or automobiles. 



Excellent results are obtained by careful selection of the receptacle 

 for the flowers. Wall vases containing a few spikes, carefully arranged, 



