TO GROW CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 8956, 21 November 1889, Page 6

TO GROW CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Specimen plants will now be growing; freely, the points having been pinched out the second time when the shoots resulting from the first topping of the main stem had grown 4in long. Some of the more forward plants will have been topped three times,, the last time also at 4in long, and three toppings of the shoots will form the framework of the future specimens. The most forward shoots should be staked, pointing them in an outward direction, so that the future training of the plants will be more easily managed, and without so much risk of breaking the branches as there will be later on if they have to bo bent much to get them into position. The plants should now occupy 7in or Sin pots, and from these they will go direct to those llin or 12in in diameter, which will be the ones they are to flower in. A position close to the glass in a pit or cold frame, where they will not become drawn up, weakly, or suffer for want of air or sun, suits them best at this stage of their growth. ; Standards should have a similar position. to that occupied by the specimens. The 1 plants should be securely staked so. that the points of the shoots do not get broken, which would check their growth consider-. ably. Should an early bud show it must be promptly removed, and only the the strongest looking shoot selected to form the stem. AH side growths should be pinched off as fast as they appear, the object being to concentrate the energy of the plant into the main stem until the desired height is obtained. The plants should be shifted on into larger pots, as those they now occupy are filled with roots, the object being to encourage a free growth, which cannot be done if the roots are allowed to become pot-bound. By this time the latest plants grown for the production of large blooms will have had their second shift into s£in pots. Some of the weakest or latestruck plants will only need pots 4}in in Should there be any plants not yet potted, no time should be lost in getting them done. By way of encouragement to those plants recently potted, they should be kept nearly close in the frames for a week or two after potting until new roots are formed, when a little more air should be given to them during the daytime in warm weather, closing the frames early in the afternoon to make the moat of what little sun-heat there may be... By foUowing this method of treating latestruck plants time will be gained by encouraging quick growth during their* younger stages. Do not over-water the, plants after potting, r as this checks' the quick rooting of the plants, into the new soil for a time. The earliest potted plants should now, with improved weather, have an abundance of air given them, drawing off the lights entirely during the daytime and in the evening until dark, admitting air by tilting the lights a little on one side. In most gardens space hi the cold frames is much wanted at this time of the year. The bedding-out plants need hardening off, and the chrysanthemums need more room to keep them stocky. The earliest plants wiU shortly stand safely out of doors if they are now carefully and gradually hardened before being finally turned outside } therefore, if preparation is made for their reception so much the better. Select a position facing North, if possible, and if sheltered from east and northerly winds it will be an advantage. A surface of coal ashes should be prepared to stand the plants upon, and some protection should be afforded iu the shape of hurdles thatched with straw, in order to ward off cold winds for a time. In the event of sudden frost, a temporary covering, such as a scrim canvas stretched across the space on which, the plants are standing, should be at hand to quickly place over the plants. Soma varieties will require staking much earlier than others—for instance, Soleil Levant, which is of a drooping habit of growth. Thin stakes from 2ft to Sft long will suffice for a time until the plants are placed,in the pots in which they are to bloom, when the main stakes will be required for the support of the plants. Pompons, anemone pompons, and single varieties have just been potted for the f second time into 4£in pots. In some cases the plants hare been topped to induce a bushy growth, while in others the planta are allowed to grow away with one stem, with the object of producing larger bloomal and plants of taller growth than will be the case with those plants which have been topped. . .