Gladiolus Varieties Suitable for Cut Flower 
Production are the Money Makers 
Too many novelties are making their appearance each year. We 
figure there are about 15 per cent of the existing varieties that pass 
completely out of the picture each year now, while that many more 
make their appearance. This is altogether too many, but who is 
going to say that this or that variety is another Picardy, a Minuet, 
or a Valeria. In reality, a variety has to be grown in immense 
quantities before it can be considered a world beater. 

PRACTICAL, APPROVED VARIETIES 
Too many fine points are being overlooked by hybridizers, points that are invariably curtains for 
many varieties. Each year, we have dozens of new seedlings and this year a hundred new varieties 
on trial. We can’t help but notice that some hybridizers have been especially careful in selecting vig- 
orous parents, others specialize in rich colors. Both these points are very important but not’ enough 
emphasis has been placed on disease resistance, as this is the one thing that Mr. Public doesn’t see 
until after he has been bitten. A fault that commonly prevails in 50 per cent or more of the new intro- 
ductions and the very first thing I look for, is loose attachment. This simply means that a floret is 
not strong enough to stick on the stem in a wind, or brushing against it in the row, and is extremely 
mean to handle. Remember, a commercial man has to work fast. He can’t handle each spike as a baby. 
He has to slap a dozen together, pile from 8 to 20 dozens on his arm in carrying them out of the rows, 
pack the whole or part in pails, which means that they are tight. Half open florets are nearly as bad. 
Handle a few thousand dozen open spikes instead of half a dozen with kid gloves on, and you will under- 
stand this problem as I do. 
It is exceptionally bad on my disposition to arrive at the wholesale florist and find certain varieties 
with crushed petals or completely broken florets, twisted buds, stems waving around like a 100-foot flag 
pole in a gale, after a 70-mile trip to market. I have seen other varieties piled 15 to 18 bunches deep 
without breaking a petal. This is the type that I like. The old Olive Goodrich is a variety that has long 
passed on, but I'll never forget it for its wonderful handling qualities. A new one just as good is none 
other than Elizabeth the Queen as an example. 
In summing up, I suggest you dig out our catalogs for the past two years as a means of information 
on commercial varieties and the changes made in the past three years. It may be of help in following 
the trend. 
FIRST EARLIES 
We are asked dozens of times each year what are the EARLY varieties, or to give a list of the ten 
best all around commercials. The following lists may help, and while the price range varies, and taking 
into consideration that the public likes new shades and colors, it will be up to you from there on. 
Anna Mae, White Butterfly, Blue Beauty, Carillon, Early Gold, Gold Dust, Rosa Van Lima, Heavenly 
White, Midnight Red, Pink Radiance (from Jumbo bulbs), Valeria, Pink Charm, Red Penny, White Gold, 
Ethel Cave-Cole, General MacArthur, Abigail, Huntress, Lantana. 
ALL AROUND BEST COMMERCIALS 
WHITE: Anna Mae, Snow Princess, Leading Lady, Surfside. 
WHITE WITH MARKING: Margaret Beaton (for shipping), Silentium (home market). 
CREAM: Lady Jane, Intermezzo. 
CREAM and PINK: Corona. 
LIGHT PINK: Magnolia, Ethel Cave-Cole, Dolores. 
SALMON-PINK: Picardy, Junior Miss, King William, Nadia. 
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