Ivor Mace (lates)
The large exhibition chrysanthemums that I grow will soon be ready for their final pots as they’re nicely rooted all through the soil ball. However, some of my incurved and decoratives weren’t rooted until February and these won’t be ready for their final pots until the end of the month, or even early June.
I’ve mixed my final potting compost. Next year is going to be a year of change because moss peat is becoming hard to get hold of, so I’ll have to look for something to take its place, maybe bark or leaf mould. This year I’ve used 60 per cent moss peat, 20 per cent sterilised loam from mole hills and 20 per cent course grit. To every 36.5 litres (8 gallons) I add 57g (2oz) each of calcified seaweed and dolomite limestone and 114g (4oz) each of Medwyns Base Fertiliser with trace elements and Microlife Organic Fertiliser with beneficial fungi.
My rows are set out with posts and wires, the canes will be clipped to the wires to prevent the pots blowing over. They’re set out in single rows, 75cm (2½ft) apart. This makes tying, spraying and disbudding much easier.
It helps if you have a sheltered spot for your standing ground. I constructed posts and windbreak netting to prevent mine from being battered by the wind. I also have a cover over my large exhibitions, although most growers don’t; but most growers don’t live in the wettest urban area in the UK!
After potting, it’s best to let the plants dry out between each watering, to allow air to enter the compost to keep a healthy root system. Feeding will begin a month after final potting using either Medwyns Base Fertiliser at one teaspoonful per pot per week or half strength Solufeed 3-1-3 every watering.