The first batch of over a hundred pots have been sown in litre pots this weekend. The seeds are mostly my Glads crossed with the pollen from Gladioli Tristis, but lots from Toffolo and Bizzaro as well. These will be placed in my unheated greenhouse until the first shoots appear. Only covered if there is a chance of frost.
Updated: Feb 3, 2021
Late in 2020, I was sent some seeds from Michael Mace in California. Michael specialises in Morae's, but dabbles in Winter flowering Gladioli too. G Tristis being part of his breeding but also G Tristis X G Huttonii, commonly known as Homoglads. There are other species in the mix as well. I eventually intend to try pollinating them with frozen pollen from my summer flowering plants and any of my G Tristis hybrids. I have included a few pictures of his plants and this is his website. https://growingcoolplants.blogspot.com/2017/06/welcome.html
Updated: Feb 3, 2021
Some of the earliest Gladioli to flower in the UK are the winter growing Gladioli Tristis.
In a sheltered part of the garden they will survive -5 apparently, although they have survived lower temperatures here for me. The oldest known first cross was between G Tristis and
G Cardinalis, The Bride was introduced in 1823, and one of the first ornamental plant hybrids to enter commerce. A more recent introduction is Galaxian. I believe there was a breeding program initiated by Israeli breeders and Claudia was a result of that.
Their hardiness, height, small flowers are a big draw for me, combined with the potential to extend the flowering season. They are perfumed, but very few crosses take this characteristic. Tristis pollen was saved last Spring and put to the best of my Summer flowering plants, first results expected next year, but I have already sown a few seeds to get a feel of what's coming next year.
But this year I have frozen pollen from last years choicest plants to put to these, weeks to wait!
