I've grown aletroides in the ground for about 5 years.

They develop bulblets along the stem each year which I then plant directly in the garden.

Mine are located on the east side of the house, but get only about 3 hours sunlight. Frankly, I'm surprised that they've survived year to year because my soil is a silty clay loam which is quite wet during the winter.

These are fairly common here, both in gardens (people bring the flowers into local garden centers and ask what kind of gladiolus they are) and in bulb bins. I have had one for years that never flowers, right off an asphalt driveway. Another I have in a pot, waiting to be planted put up one spike in an interesting orangish shade. Both have older leaves loaded with mite damage, in the manner of a montbretia. Maybe I will just toss them both instead of planting the new one.