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THE GLADIOLUS FANCIER’S 
COLOR AND SIZE CLASSIFICATION 
The color separations as used by the 
New England Gladiolus Society, coupled 
with reference to the “Fischer” Color 
Chart and the size and color classification 
of a 1944 national gladiolus conference 
adopted by the North American Gladiolus 
Council in 1946. Again revised by the 
latter in 1952 to further subdivide pink, 
rose and lavender. The NAGC adopted 
the 2 Vol) R.H-Ss Color Chart, but its 
cost (around $14.) seems likely to lhmit 
its use to a few hybridizers. So, from 
a practical point of view, it appears the 
50 or so gladiolus societies in U.S. will 
continue to refer to the Fischer chart 
sub-divisions at least for show purposes. 
So we brief them here because it will 
enable you to make judicious use of our 
method of cataloging varieties in 
their own color groups where the variety 
descriptions and prices may be readily 
compared. Ever since our first catalog 
in 1929 we have done so and the trend 
in this direction is increasing. 
This brief will also give you a rather 
complete understanding of any gladiolus 
show you may visit in the U. S. 
Over the years we have participated in 
the development of these systems and 
with standards for scoring, five years 
while executive chairman of the Ameri- 
can Gladiolus Society, five more as execu- 
tive chairman of the Ohio State Gladio- 
lus Society and this is our ninth year 
on the National Classification Commit- 
tee and three years for the Valleevue 
Test Garden. We have lost track of the 
number of years we have headed the 
Classification Committee of the Ohio 
society. 
SIZES 
Giant 500 series 5% inches and up 
Large 400 series 4% to5% 
Medium 300 series above 3% to4% 
Small 200 series 2% through 3% 
Miniature 100 under 2% 
Thus the first digit of the 3 digit 
number indicates the size range of the 
floret of the gladiolus in question. 
series 
COLOR SEPARATIONS 
These are the 2nd and 38rd digits of 
the 8 digit numbers. The first of these 
represents the color group. The second 
denotes the depth of color within the 
group. If the color is without conspicuous 
marking this last number will be even. 
If the color has conspicuous marking the 
next higher odd number will be used. The 
color variations refer to the revised 
Fischer Color Chart. 
00 White 00 (without conspicuous 
marking ) 
01 (with, etc.) 
Cream 06 paler than Y6 and GY6 
10 Yellow 10 Light. (Y5-6) 
12 Deep. (Y2-3-4) 
Buff 16 (OY6, Y06 and 
paler) 
20 Orange 20 Light. (05-6, Y05 and 
paler) 
22 Deep. (0Y2-3-4, Y03-4, 
02-3-4-5) 
24 Red O. (RO02-8) 
30 Salmon 30 Light. (R05-6 and paler) 
32 Deep. (OR5-6, R04) 
36 Scarlet 36 (0R3-4) 
40 Pink 40 Light. (Paler than R6) 
42 Med. (R6) 
44 Deep. (R5) 
50 Red 50 Light. (R4) 
52 Deep. (R3) 
54 Black. (R1-2, 0R1-2) 
60 Rose 60 Light. (Nearest R5-6 
trace of V) 
62 Med. (Nearest R4 
trace of V) 
64 Deep. (Nearest R3 
trace of V) 
66 Lav. 66 Light. (VR5-6, RV5-6) 
68 Deep. (VR3-4, RV3-4) 
70 Purple 70 (RV1-2, VR1-2) 
76 Violet 76 Light. (V4-5-6, BV4-5-6) 
78 Deep. (V1-2-8, BV1-2-3) 
80 Smoky 80 Containing gray. (Can 
subdivide ) 
82 (Orange smoky) 
83 (Salmon smoky) 
84 (Pink smoky) 
85 (Red smoky) 
86 (Lavender or rose smoky) 
90 Any other color. (mostly brown shades) 
Glads now readily fall into place. The 
giant, unmarked white Strathnaver is 
500. Boldface 533 being a giant deep 
salmon and blotched. Kittyhawk 366 be- 
ing a medium sized lavender, ete. 
