Planting out and potting on your chrysanthemums
It’s all systems go with your chrysanths for both early and late-flowering varieties
John Peace (early chrysanths)
At the beginning of May I start to consider planting out my earlyflowering chrysanthemums. I say ‘consider’ because we need to check on the weather forecast to make sure there are no frosts due for the week ahead. I like to water the plants the day before I’m going to plant them into the ground. This makes it easier to knock them out of the pot because the roots are moist and won’t stick to the side of the container and cause root damage.
As soon as I’ve planted out each plant, I tie them to the cane. I like to have a cane either side of the plant and tie in the growth in a figure of eight fashion. As the plant grows I continue to secure them right up the canes.
Don’t be tempted to water them in after initial planting. If you don’t water this will make the roots reach out into the surrounding soil searching for water, encouraging the roots out of the rootball and creating a much better root system. And a better root system means a better end product!
Remember that you should only give a little water when the plants are asking for it, when they start to droop and flag. If you’re growing in pots the same applies. For the plants that I’m growing in pots I like to use a black florist’s bucket with a peat-based compost.
Ivor Mace (late chrysanths)
We’re approaching the time when our plants will need to be potted on into 22cm or 25cm (9in or 10in) pots. The cuttings I rooted in January will be ready by the middle of the month and the February cuttings will be ready by the beginning of June.
I like to mix my compost about a week in advance and I use my own blend consisting of: 60 per cent moss peat, 20 per cent sterilised loam, 20 per cent course grit. To every bushel (36.5litres/8 gallons) I add 56g (2oz) ground limestone, 56g (2oz) calcified seaweed, 112g (4oz) Medwyn’s Base Fertiliser with trace elements and 112g (4oz) MicroLife organic fertiliser with beneficial fungi.
Before commencing potting I like to give the plants a spray with a systemic insecticide while they’re still close together.
Make sure your plants are really well rooted before you pot them on and give them a good watering an hour before potting so that they slip out of their pots without breaking roots. I use a crock over the drainage hole in the final pot and I like to
soak my terracotta pots before using them. Hopefully they’ll then go several days before they need watering. Make sure you insert a cane after potting and tie the plant immediately.
You also need to keep a close watch for the stopping dates so you stand a good chance of your blooms maturing at the time you want them. At this stage I would keep at least one spare stem after stopping.