Have you ever wondered how your gladiolus would rate in a gladiolus show? Then why not judge your own?
First, get out the catalog from which you ordered. It is the gladiolus fancier’s best friend and can help you considerably now. Perhaps the description of the spike which you are holding reads something like this one of Black Cherry:
“Tall dark red, growing 50” inches or more. Flower heads are 24” inches in length, carrying 18 or 20 buds. Opens six to eight six-inch blooms. A heavy show winner and good increaser.”
Notice the numbers following the variety of names. The first, 48, with the name of the originator, represents the date of introduction. The last, 85, indicates the estimated days from planting to blooming time.
Note Classification Numbers
Now the most important number is the three-digit, 554.
That is the classification number probably given by the North American Gladiolus Society.
It alone tells you that the florets of this variety should be 5 ½” inches, or larger. This is true of all gladiolus in the 500 class. The final 54 identify the color as red (almost black).
The described results are expected from good-quality, large-size bulbs. If you purchased medium size, you may have to wait until next year for such good flower growth.
Reread the Description
Reread the description carefully. This one tells the number of buds, green and in color, which you should expect in addition to the number of florets open before that first floret has faded.
Keep Glads in a Cool Place
Keep your glad in cold water (40° – 45° degrees Fahrenheit is ideal) in a cool place, and watch it to see how it will compare at its best. Ice cubes will help control the temperature of the water.
If you have cut the spike when one floret was fully opened, it will probably be at its best on the 2nd or 3rd day. If the expected length of the flower head is mentioned, measure yours.
- Is the whole effect of the flower head from the stem through the tip straight and sturdy?
- Is your spike disease-free, both to flower and foliage?
- Is it spray-, or sun-, or rain-flecked, or otherwise damaged?
- Can it hold its own reasonably well with that catalog description?
If your spike is healthy, straight, of correct length, with florets of the right size, let’s consider the finer points of judging.
Gladiolus Show Judges
Beauty is such an elusive quality that leading national societies like the North American Gladiolus Council provide gladiolus show judges with a suggested score sheet in an attempt to obtain uniform judging.
Judges, too, are human, and each has his preferences. However, on the following points, they are agreed upon.
Look first at the overall effect of your gladiolus.
- Is the proportion of open florets to the number of buds in color and the number of green buds a pleasing one?
That is good “balance”.
- Are the florets firmly attached to the stem so that the spike appears sturdily put together?
Then consider the florets.
- Are they evenly spaced on the stem or are they hit or miss, with gaps between?
- Are any of them back-to-back, so that some florets face away from you?
- Does an occasional face-up?
All these are, of course, faults.
Furthermore, did the bottom florets open first as they should have, or did some other florets farther up the stem open first, only to fade sooner, leaving a gap between fresh florets?
The color should be clear, without flecking or streaking by some foreign color.
You may, for instance, have noticed among some almost perfect spikes of the stately cream Leading Lady one with a splash of salmon pink, reminiscent of Picardy of which it is a sport.
The petals should be uniformly plain, needle-point or, ruffled, as expected of that variety. Still, other qualities should be noticed about those petals.
- Do they feel soft, as though they will crush easily, or are they of a firm texture that will stand handling?
Peach Glow, a ruffled, buffy orange, has such a heavy, almost rubbery texture that many other varieties feel soft and silky by comparison.
Above all, do the petals have that desired quality of freshness?
Judging Miniatures
If you are judging a miniature, the 100’s and 200’s (and I do hope you have at least a few like the glowing little dark red Ruby), another standard will have to be taken into account.
Not all judges agree as to the desired type of miniature. Some prefer the formal and some the informal.
Your bloom is formal if, like the yellow Statuette, it resembles the big glads in all but size, with the close placement of florets.
It is informal if the spike has a daintier, more graceful effect, with florets hooded and spaced farther apart, like the smoky brown Spunky.
In either case, florets should be uniformly placed. The stem, too, is especially important in the miniatures, as it should be sturdy, not wispy, without being coarse and stubby.
Proportion and Balance
The proportion and balance will be a little different here as miniatures do not usually open as many florets at one time as do the big ones. 4 to 6 is usually a good average.
A few varieties, unfortunately, will not open enough to have much chance in the competition. This seems true of the demure little Elda, a bright gold diffused with orange, which otherwise would certainly be a greater favorite.
Miniature Florets Classifiation Size
Miniature florets should, of course, conform to their classification size —the 100’s with florets under 2 and ½” inches, the 200’s with florets 2 and ½” through 3 and ¼” inches.
Large Blooms
Other judging points will correspond to those considered for the large blooms.
Whether they are big glads or miniatures, some varieties have shown qualities in greater numbers than others.
Since, in a show, a spike must compete with all the entries of that and other varieties in the same size and color grouping, you may want to note in your catalog varieties especially recommended as exhibition gladiolus.
Now, if your gladiolus has held their own through this evaluation, why not consult your favorite flower magazine for the time and place of the nearest show?
44659 by Carolyn S. Langdon