Gladiolis

This image has beaten my megre processing attempts. I really do not expect anyone will offer the solution to this image without going back to the RAW and I would be happy to send it to anyone who is willing to give it a try (and can handle 30D RAW). The flower is RED (not orange, pink, brick or any other modified version of the color). The background is green (not sickly, cyan or the like). The light is blazing sun with excessive contrasts.

Suggestions on how to deal with this would be appreciated. My best answer is to cut the flower and shoot it indoors.