The Gladiolus Classification System 
The number after each variety name in this 
book denotes the official size and color classifica- 
tion of the variety as determined by the North 
American Gladiolus Council (NAGC for short). 
These classification numbers help you to visu- 
alize the size and color of the various varieties. 
Also at most shows this system is used for entries 
in the various classifications. 
Glads are classified in 5 sizes as follows: 
Miniatures 100 florets under 214” across 
Small 200 = florets 214” thru 314%" 
Medium 300 ~— florets 314” thru 434” 
Large 400 florets 414” thru 53’ 
Giant 500 florets 51” and larger 
For instance with Aureole 410, the 4 means it 
is the 400 size or between 414” and 53%"’. The 
10 indicates it is light yellow. The sizes as given 
are for flowers grown under ordinary good field 
conditions but they may vary a great deal when 
grown under different degrees of culture. 
Many people class the 100 and 200 size to- 
gether and call them all miniatures. Some 
varieties especially the needlepoint type actually 
measure 314” or larger but yet are definitely the 
small flower type. 
In measuring florets they are measured ‘as 
is’’ without spreading them out. 
COLOR CLASSES 
Class 
00 White 00 without conspicuous marking 
White 01 with conspicuous marking 
Cream 06 
10 Yellow 10 (Light) 
Yellow 12 (Deep) 
Buff 16 
20 Orange 20 (Light) 
Orange 22 (Deep) 
Orange 24 (Red Orange) 
30 Salmon 30 (Light) 
Salmon 32 (Deep) 
Scarlet 36 
40 Pink 40 (Light) without markings 
Pink 41 (Light) with markings 
Pink 42 (Deep) 
50 Red 50 (Light) 
Red 52 (Deep) 
Red 54 (Black) 
60 Rose 60 (Light) 
Rose 62 (Deep) 
Lavender 66 
70 Purple. 70 
Violet 76 (Light) 
Violet 78 (Deep) 
80 Smoky shades 
Smoky 82 (Orange Smoky) 
Smoky 83 (Salmon Smoky) 
Smoky 84 (Pink Smoky) 
Smoky 85 (Red Smoky) 
Smoky 86 (Lavender Smoky) 
90 Any other color. 
Size of Bulbs 
Bulbs are graded into 6 standard sizes from 
#1 to #6. #1 size are 114” in diameter and up. If 
very much larger they are called jumbos. 
#2 are 114’’-114” in diameter. 
#3 are 1-114” in diameter. 
#4 are 34’’-1”’ in diameter. 
#5 are 14/’-34"’ in diameter. 
#6 are below 14” in diameter. 
In selling at retail we call #1 and #2 large, 
#3 and #4 are medium and #5 and #6 are small. 
Large size will theoretically give the largest and 
best bloom. Medium will give fine bloom and in 
some kinds about as good as large bulbs. Some 
varieties naturally make a smallish bulb not 
getting to #1 size till 3 years old from bulblets 
while most kinds will reach large size in two 
years. Small bulbs will most all bloom and in 
most kinds produce quite good flowers. But 
we can’t guarantee every small bulb to bloom 
especially if planted thick. 
To many beginners who have seen the huge 
overgrown bulbs in chain stores, standard 
medium size bulbs look awfully small. Some 
people have even written me that #4 bulbs I sent 
them were bulblets. Don’t get the idea that the 
huge chain store bulbs are best. They are not. 
In fact they are often old bulbs that the growers 
don’t want to plant themselves so sell them to 
the chains at a discount. 
“The Glads you sent me were the finest that | bought anywhere. Was well pleased with the 
extra ones. But Wanisle, Teenager and Argosy, the people went wild over them. 
—George Mochour, Michigan 
