The Palmer Strain of Gladiolus 
Every once in a long time, usually several years, hybridizers of plants secure 
what is called a “break.” That is a seedling that is a great improvement over 
existing varieties. Of "course hybridizers quite often 
secure minor improvements but it is only once in a 
long time that this improvement is really outstanding, 
enough to be called a “break.” 
In gladiolus- Richard Diener secured such a 
“break” fifteen or twenty years ago when he pro¬ 
duced Mr. W. H. Phipps, Mrs. Leon Douglas, Dr. 
F. E. Bennett and others. Again Mr. Kunderd secured 
a “break” when he produced the ruffled gladiolus. 
Just as truly Mr. Palmer secured such a “break” 
when he produced the variety PICARDY. For the 
first time there was combined in one variety the 
ultimate of beauty of both color and form, extreme 
size, many open at a time, long tapering spike, vigor 
and good propagating qualities. 
All of these “breaks” in gladiolus have had a 
great influence on future varieties. Crosses of these 
varieties with others have greatly raised the standard 
E. F. Palmer of glads. Picardy I think in this respect is the most 
valuable of all as it has been found to be an extremely 
good parent in crossing with other varieties. 
In the next few years an immense improvement in gladiolus will take place 
largely due to the influence of Picardy and other Palmer varieties. Mr. Palmer 
already has some wonderful seedlings of Picardy coming along and a number of 
other hybridizers have also. 
The advent of Picardy has had one drawback however. Many people, es¬ 
pecially the newer fans, already want to get varieties just as good as Picardy in other 
colors. These better varieties will come in time but many people don’t realize 
that a variety as outstanding as Picardy is produced only once in several years. 
Mr. Diener said once that he had to raise one hundred thousand seedlings to get 
one worthy of introduction. Mr. Palmer is now getting a much larger percentage 
than that but he still does have to raise thousands to get one really good one and 
from the time two varieties are crossed it takes at least four or five years before 
the one or two good seedlings if any from that cross are ready to introduce. If 
those who want other varieties as good as Picardy in different colors will just be 
patient they will get them in time but these things can’t be hurried. Hybridizers 
have to get them as they can. 
Though Picardy so far has. been really the most outstanding variety of Mr. 
Palmer’s he has been very fortunate in securing fine seedlings from other crosses. 
So many in fact and these having certain qualities in common that they really 
constitute a new STRAIN. The main feature of this STRAIN is BEAUTY both 
of color and of form and that indefinable something which constitutes IT in a 
flower. Nearly all of the Palmer seedlings so far introduced have refinement of 
coloring, absolutely clear throats or with inconspicuous throat blotches that 
harmonize well with the other colors. Also the forms are different and beautiful. 
The ruffling is a little different from what has been seen before and there is some¬ 
thing about them that sets them apart from the ordinary run of glads. 
Though a number of very beautiful varieties of this strain have already been 
introduced there are still better ones to come. Every year Mr. Palmer is securing 
better seedlings and is more particular about saving only the very best. You may 
safely buy any varieties from this strain and know that you are getting something 
good. I visited Mr. Palmer three times this past season and have a number of his 
seedlings on trial and I can assure you that the next few years will see more beauty 
brought out in gladiolus than was even dreamed of a few years ago. 
“Those wonderful originations of Mr. Palmer, Picardy, Acadia, Bagdad, 
Pirate, Debonair, Duna, Inspiration, Wasaga and others are in a class by them¬ 
selves.” — W. A. Wilder, Miss. 
“The new Palmer varieties have been fine, without exception this year.” 
Grant Mitsch, Oregon. 
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