Remarkable things are happening in the world of chrysanthemums?
Until recently, the growth of giant chrysanthemums was something only for the expert.
Greenhouses were required, or at least frames where the plants could be sheltered from the frosts and shaded with black cloth to bring them into bloom early.
Now, with the introduction of early-blooming, large-flowered chrysanthemums, anyone can grow 5” to 6” inches, football-type mums easily, indoors or out.
Early-Flowering Chrysanthemums
These new early-flowering chrysanthemums, like the big beautiful Harvest Giants shown on the front cover, flower in September and October (a month ahead of old varieties), without the use of special shading or lighting.
Chrysanthemums are planted in late spring as a rule, but you can have big football mums this fall. In many parts of the country, large pot- (or can) grown plants of these early giant mums can be bought in early September.
They will be in bud or even in flower and can be planted out in your garden or set in tubs on a patio for immediate color. Given protection, most varieties will winter over, and flower again next fall.
It does not require professional skill to grow the early-giant mums, but they cannot be planted and forgotten. However, the little extra care and attention they get will more than repay you.
- Prepare the soil well, adding sufficient humus to give body to sandy soil or to lighten a heavy one.
- Mix in a well-balanced fertilizer, not too high in nitrogen.
- Place plant in a hole large enough to accommodate the soil ball comfortably, fill in with soil, firm moderately, and water well.
- Set plants where they will get sun at least 3/4 of the day.
With less than that, flowers will be late, small, and the plants leggy. Water is necessary, especially in late summer. To get giant flowers, each stem must be disbudded to one bud.
End of Blooming Season
After the blooming season is over, treat the plants as you would any hardy mums and you will have flowers to brighten your garden for years to come.
Make sure that water does not stand around them in winter, and if there is any danger of heaving, mulch lightly with marsh hay, straw, or evergreen boughs.
To guide you in getting the best results from your plants in future years, here is a quick run-down of cultural tips:
The best flowers generally are produced on plants started from cuttings in late spring.
When rooted, plant them in good soil, preferably in peat pots, bands, or other pots so that you can set them out into their permanent locations without any setbacks.
On or about June 15, pinch single-stemmed plants back to about 4” inches to make them branch. Two weeks later, pinch back to about 6” inches; and in another 2 weeks, pinch back to 8” inches. If this is not done, plants will be leggy and flowery.
Disbudding Method
In late August, disbud.
Remove all flower buds from the stems but the terminal (end) one.
If for any reason you do not do this in late August, do it in September.
Plants will still benefit. This disbudding method is not the one frequently recommended by chrysanthemum fans for exhibition blooms, but it will result in good-sized flowers.
Mums Year Round
If you are among the many thousands of home gardeners who have a small backyard greenhouse, there’s a fascinating bit of plant magic you can perform:
You can bloom fine mums—big or small—in your greenhouse in winter or spring. Or any other time of year, for that matter.
Make Buds and Bloom on Short Days
Mums make buds and bloom only tinder short days (under 12 hrs of daylight). That’s why mums bloom naturally after short days of fall have arrived.
Plant scientists have worked out techniques to flower mums anytime, anywhere—by controlling day length.
Commercial growers have developed this to the point where mums are now a major cut flower the year round—in fact, mums are today the number one cut flower in the U.S.
Want to take a try at it?
Here are boiled-down instructions to flower the old football-type Indianapolis varieties on February 15:
October 26.
- Plant cuttings in good soil, space 5” by 6” inches apart, and maintain 60° temperature (58° to 63° is OK).
- Light plants 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. nightly, 60-watt bulbs 4 x 4 ft, 5 ft high.
December 7.
- Discontinue lighting.
February 15.
- Flowers! (larger, if disbudded,)
44659 by G. Victor Ball