

SUPERIOR IN EVERY RESPECT 



COMMERCIAL GLADIOLUS 
What is a commercial variety? What is its uses and who uses it?) From the standpoint of 
color which is the first consideration, its color must be pleasing and attractive. It must be lovely 
to look a delightful to grow, and heavenly to handle. Its color must harmonize with what ever 
it 1s used. 
Size is not so important in determining the commercial possibilities of a gladiolus. Some 
florists will take the small miniature varieties and combine their colors into beautiful designs and 
floral pieces, while another will want the largest spixes and florets he can get. He considers that 
with the larger flowers and stems he will need use less greens and other material in making the 
floral design, thereby making a saving, of time and money. Florists in different cities will differ 
in their judgement as to size and color of commercial gladiolus, but regardless of size and color 
they must have beauty that every one will recognize. 
A variety must be capable of producing a good tall spike under average field conditions, with 
good healthy foliage that allows for cutting good long stems without injury to the corm or bulb 
growth. It must be able to withstand high temperatures without bud burning or wilting. The 
foliage must be of good color and texture that will remain green after cutting. The floret texture 
must be heavy in order to withstand handling and shipping. 
The bulb must be able to withstand adverse weather conditions after planting in cold wet 
ground, in early spring, grow and produce good cutting spikes. [he bulb must be disease resistant 
and be capable of reproducing itself by growing a new clean bulb without too much splitting or 
dividing. It must be able to produce a goodly number of fertil bublets, making it profitable to 
grow the variety. Bulbs must be carefully harvested and stored and must be able to withstand 
different storage conditions. Seed houses buy bulbs by the thousands to supply their customers 
for home garden planting. Florists often buy bulbs to grow for his particular trade. The flower 
grower however who grows for the.cut flower trade is the largest grower, and user of bulbs. 
Today our accepted standards are for gladiolus that grow straight and tall, have several florets 
open, all facing correctly and placed in orderly fashion with a few buds showing color and more 
to open after spikes are cut and in water. 
The floret attachment must be good and the petals must be of heavy texture so that in hand- 
ling or shipping the spixes the florets are not easily bruised or pulled off. Some of our so called 
giant varieties are poor in this respect, while others have been improved by developing a shorter 
bud shank. Gladiolus with poorly attached florets are practically worthless for commercial pur- 
poses, they are hard to pack as the florets and buds breax off too easily while being handled. So, 
it is important that a gladiolus variety has the ability to produce a high percentage of salable 
spikes with good color, several open, some buds showing color, some to open, well placed and 
spaced, together with good attachment to make a commercial variety. In the southern states a 
gladiolus does not rate commercially unless it stands heat well. It must not croox and its buds 
must not burn in the sun and it dare not wilt. Furthermore, it must stand shipping and it must 
open well in water from tight bud. 
It might be said that a commercial gladiolus is one that can be grown for the purpose for 
which the customer wishes to use it. In short, it must be accepted and approved by the public. 
Make it a point to visit your state galdiolus show, see and maxe a study of the newer, better 
varieties that are grown and shown. Compare them. You will tind a great deal of pleasure I 
assure you. Better still, buy some bulbs of some good new varieties, grow them and show them. 
Sell your surplus cut flowers to your local florist or give them to your friends, your church or hos- 
pital. A pleasant surprise awaits you. Our KEYSTONE SLATE SHOW will be held August 
7 and 8, 1948. 
FRAGRANT GLADIOLUS. —— WHY NOT? 
Perhaps you have been perfectly satisfied with the ethereal beauty of America’s favorite 
flower, [HH GLADIOLUS,” without considering how much more exquisite it would be, if it 
had fragrance. 
Certainly if fragrance were added THE MODERN GLADIOLUS would be superior in every 
respect. WELL....FRAGRANCE HAS BEEN ADDED. 
YES, You can now have the glorious beauty of the GLADIOLUS combined with a delicate 
fragrance different from that of any other flower. 
These new and modern GLADIOLUS have real beauty and refinement. They grow tall 
and straight, and open four to eight or more flowers at a time, measuring four to six inches in 
diameter. They are indeed a great addition to any garden and an inspiration to grow. You will 
be proud of them. THEY ARE SUPERIOR IN EVERY RESPECT. 
GOLDEN FRAGRANCE, FRILLED FRAGRANCE, DIADEM (Fragrant), PERFUME, 
SUMMER FRAGRANCE, and ROSE GEM, are all fragrant and are described in the following 
pages. Be sure to have some of them in your garden. 


‘‘Golden Gardens Glads Grow Gloriously”’ 
