POTTING CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Evening Star, Issue 20990, 2 January 1932, Page 17

POTTING CHRYSANTHEMUMS

The healthy development of the chrysanthemum depends to a great extent upon the compost used and the actual operation. The chrysanthemum quakes an ideal • pot plant, with nothing to equal it from a decorative point ol view, and if the varieties chosen are late flowering ones, the plants are a great feature for indoor decoration well on into the winter (writes “ Lorna,” in the ‘ Manawatu Daily Times ’). The time has now arrived when this work may be undertaken, and all who are not actual novices know full well that a little extra care taken now will repay a hundred-fold later. The first essential is that the pots shall bo perfectly clean on the inside, and the second is that the drainage system must be efficient. This, while generally speaking, applies to all plants, seems to apply with greater force to the chrysanthemum. The reason for this is that it is such a strong grower and great feeder, besides possessing a more extensive root system than the majority of plants which are of a herbaceous character and are grown in pots. 'That extensive root system is cramped within restricted limits, and it almost “ eats up ” the soil which it permeates. This necessitates copious supplies of liquid, so copious that unless the surplus quickly drains away, it would stagnate and sour the soil, thus preventing the functioning of the myriads of root-hairs. A short spell of this would rot them, the leaves would turn yellow, the whole strength and vigour of the plant would depart, and flowers would all be thirdrate —all this because the crocking was not sufficient. The next matter of great importance is the character of the compost in which they are to be potted. Loam is needed, but there are varying kinds of loam, ranging from something that looks like clay to a runny ; sandy substance. The ideal loam required for chrysanthemums is the fat and turfy top spit of a pasture field. It should be lumpy, the lumps tough with fibrey roots of grass, a loam that requires almost pulling to pieces like oakum. This should comprise half the bulk of the compost, and those who cannot procure it must aim to get as near to it as they can, and increase the proportion used if the available loam is light. With this should go about half the quantity of old cow manure, well rotted and chopped up with a spade. Add to this again an equal bulk to the cow manure made up of ashes from wood or garden refuse fires, some sifted lime rubble or crushed bones, and some coarse silver sand. Be particular about the sand being real sharp silver sand, and not that fine soft stuff, from the river or the yellow sand pit. All these ingredients are put together and turned again and again, till the incorporation is thorough, and then it is ready for use. The potting must be done very firmly with the aid of a wooden rammer. Stand the plant on a firm basis a little above the crocks, so placed that it is completely covered at the base, when the pot is only two-thirds full, and this leaves one-third of the space inside to be filled at a later period with a substantial top-dressing. If plants are tall, cut them down to within a few inches of the ground level, and as the shoots grow the tips must from time to time be pinched out to produce a bushy habit of growth.