I have a bit of a weakness for gladioli, and every autumn for the past 5 years have religiously dug them up to store over winter. last year, time ran out and I didn't get round to it, but they seem to be OK anyway, first flowers now :)
Wow they are stunning. Dame E would love them too. I put some new ones in this year as the ones I tried to store had gone mouldy. Mine are only half that size
We're on our first year of glads. We bought 4 packs of 10 in 4 different colours. So far the pink are out and the others look to be coming in succession. Also, in the greenhouse we have 270 cormlets growing in trays for next year. The National Gladiolus comp was held in our area last year and they were selling named varieties in packs of 30 for 33p a pack. We went round the show and chose the varieties we really liked.
Well, over 5 years the size has built up, and they seem to like my soil flossie, I don't add anything except the usual dose of well rotted horse muck. I too remember those shows with Dame E, but grow them despite that ;D
You are lucky dj, that Glad competition sounds a super chance to get more types. I do have coloured ones too, including some splendid dark reds and pinks, but the whites and yellows seem to appear first.