Spray Chrysanthemums

Cultural Instructions;

Prepare purchased stock;

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.

Do not be tempted to plant out until all danger of late frost has passed.

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.

Propagate own stock;

Prepare 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)

Prepare 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.

1. Select cuttings approx 2” (50mm) long radiating from soil level i.e. basal cuttings.

6. Normally one can get around 40 cuttings in a standard 350 x 200mm (14" x 8") tray

Spray cuttings at least once per day with either fresh water or a fungicide mixture to prevent dehydration.

A good sign that they have rooted is, the growing tip will be a ‘fresh’ green colour.

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.

When all fear of late frost has passed, remove the plants from their pots and plant out in pre-prepared beds and borders see here

Set them 400-500mm (15”-18”) apart supporting each with a 1200mm ( 4’ ) cane/stake.

To avoid any damage to the roots, position the supports in the hole prior to planting.

Tie the plant loosely to the support at regular intervals as the plant grows taller.

An alternative method of support is to use 100mm(4") square mesh supported horizonatally from posts/stakes, and letting the plants grow through it.

Use of a weed suppressant sheet can minimise the need to hand weed or hoe between plants, which is particularly helpful when the plants are fully grown.

Water regularly from this time onwards giving a thorough soaking every seven days in all but the rainiest of weather.

Feed with a liquid fertiliser every 7- 10 days from mid June until the buds start to show colour.

Is best carried out over a three or four week period and completed by Week 22.

When the plants have grown to about 200-250mm (8”-10” ) high pinch out the top 50mm (2”) of the main shoot to encourage more side shoots.

If you are growing for exhibition purposes, then you would limit the sideshoots to 3-4 stems per plant depending upon variety.

When the buds/s appear remove all the buds on each stem apart from the centre bud (crown bud)

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.

	The Gardener's Almanac
	Index	FAQ's	Links	Photos	Guest book

Propagation; see here		Varieties; see here
Week 2-4;	Put stools on hotbed	Week 20-22;	Stop
Week 8-10;	Take cuttings	Week 24-26;	Nitrogen feed
Week 10-12;	Pot up rooted cuttings	Week 26-30;	Secure bud
Week 12-15;	Put in Cold frame	Week 28-30;	Potash feed
Week 18-20;	Prepare beds	Week 30 onwards	Ready
Week 20-22;	Plant out	Week 42-46;	Lift and Store