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| Chrysanthemum Charms |
Propagation; see here Varieties; see here Week 2-4; Put stools on hotbed Week 20-22; Plant out / Pot up Week 2-4; Sow seed @ 16°-18°C (60°-65°F) Week 24-26; Nitrogen feed Week 8-10; Take cuttings / Prick out Week 26-30; Secure bud Week 12-14; Pot up rooted cuttings Week 28-30; Potash feed Week 14-15; Put in Cold frame Week 30 onward Ready Week 20-22; Stop Week 44-46; Lift and Store Cultural Instructions;
Prepare purchased stock as follows;
Unpack plants immediately on receipt.
If you can not deal with them straight away, stand the plants upright and give them a gentle spray of water place them in the light, but not in direct sunlight.
If plants are received before it is safe to plant them out where they are to flower, pot them up as soon as possible into 90mm (3½”) pots using a soil-less potting compost e.g. John Innes No2.
Keep the compost open – DO NOT over compress.
Water in, and don’t water again for several days until the compost has started to dry out.
Grow on in a cool greenhouse, cold frame, conservatory or airy porch in full light but avoid direct sunlight.
Preparing cutting material;
From Week 2 onwards;
Water then place previously boxed stools on hot bed set to maintain a soil temperature of around 15°C (60°F)
Maintain a minimum air temperature of 4°C (40°F)
Sow seed in pots / trays of seed compost and germinate at 16°-18°C (60°-65°F)
Germination will take about a week
Compost preparation:
Prepare compost as follows;
1
2
3
1) Sifted Compost
2) Two parts compost + one part silver sand (or as you deem necessary)
3) Prepared compost
Prepare a tray by filling it with prepared compost,and lightly compact it by tapping it gently on the bench then soak it thoroughly with water.
Sprinkle about 3mm (1/8") of silver sand over the compost.
Cutting preparation:
1. Select cuttings approx 2” (50mm) long radiating from soil level i.e. basal cuttings.
2. Remove lower leaves to expose approx 1” (25mm) of stem.
3. An Irishman's cutting i.e. one that is already rooted
4. Dip cutting in rooting powder /fluid (optional)
5. Insert the cutting into the compost and label variety
6. Normally one can get around 40 cuttings in a standard 350 x 200mm (14" x 8") tray
Aftercare;
Place the tray in a warm place, preferably with bottom heat.
A soil temperature of around 15°C (60°F) and a minimum air temperature of 4°C (40°F) is ideal.
Give the cuttings plenty of light, but ensure that they are not scorched by direct sunlight.Spray cuttings at least once per day with either fresh water or a fungicide mixture to prevent dehydration.
Normally cuttings take 12 to 15 days to root.
A good sign that they have rooted is, the growing tip will be a ‘fresh’ green colour.
Pot rooted cuttings up into 75 mm (3") pots of potting compost.
Harden off:
Approx 10-14 days before you intend to set the plants out, start hardening them off by
increasing the ventilation, placing in a cold frame, or moving the plants outside during the day and then bringing them back inside overnight.
Plant out:
When all fear of late frost has passed, remove the plants from their pots and plant out in pre-prepared beds and borders.
Set them 400-500mm (15”-18”) apart supporting each with a 1200mm ( 4’ ) cane/stake.
alternatively, Place in planters or containers, singly or in groups subject to the size of the container.
If they are to be grown in pots, pot up every 5-6 weeks from initial 'potting up' until they are in their final 250mm diameter pots.
Watering;
Water in after planting, but not again for at least three or four days.
Water regularly from this time onwards giving a thorough soaking every seven days in all but the rainiest of weather.
Feeding;
Feed with a liquid fertiliser every 7- 10 days from mid June until the buds start to show colour.
Stopping;
Is best carried out three or four times a season
When the plants have grown to about 100-150mm (4"-6") high pinch out the top 13mm (1/2”) of the main shoot.
Every three to four weeks thereafter do the same again.
n.b. ensure that you stop every shoot, otherwise your plant will be out of balance at flowering time.
Lifting/Storing:
After flowering, plants should be cut down to 100-150mm (4"-6") above soil level, lifted, and placed in boxes or trays of potting compost and stored in a frost free place until required.
It is advantageous to remove all basal growth from around the base of the plant to induce a dormant period and reduce the risk of botrytis.
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