ICAR Research Complex for North-Eastern Hills Region, Barapani, Meghalaya 793 103
* Present address: National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim 737 106.
Forty-three gladiolus varieties involving early, mid and late ones were evaluated for morphological and floral characters under the midhills of Meghalaya. Keeping the consumer preference for flower size, colour, arrangement of florets on spike and longevity of spike, Blue Moon, Red Majesty, Pumpkin Pie, Apollo, Friendship, Jester, Wild Rose, Aarti, Tropic Sea and 77-59-32 were suitable. The cultivars Meera, Local, Jester, Beauty Spot and Yellow Mix were early varieties. Aarti, Apollo, Green Bay, Top Brass, Tropic Sea, Wild Rose and 77-59-32 were highly suitable for long distance transportation as they could stay longer in spike as well as in vase due to wide ratio of stomata and smaller-sized guard cells. Hence, it may be concluded that these varieties are suitable for cultivation in midhill conditions of Meghalaya and similar conditions of the North-Eastern Himalayas.
