Chrysanthemum Troubles

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22991, 19 March 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

Chrysanthemum Troubles

season brings its troubles and surprises to the grower of chrysanthemums., and more especially among the newer varieties with which the grower is not fully acquainted. Some will as certainly exceed expectations as others will disappoint. This very uncertainty is itself no small attraction, and the grower is always keen to try out a few new ones each year. The one who doe? net, misses much of the enjoyment from his hobby. Hard buds, decayed and malformed apecimens, together with untimely buds, will-give cause for anxiety. This season many hard buds and others which will not open out will be seen. It is the buds which appear on hard, short stems in January which give most of the trouble. For early shows the buds must be secured quickly, but at the same time

Hard and Decayed Buds

' it is of no use taking them if they are of that type which goes blind, or decays in the centre. When buds go olf in this manner, it is time to do t-ome thinking, as there is a cause for it. This needs clearing up before another season commences. in by lar the greatest number of cases the buds fail because they are of the wrong t.ypo. It is unnatural for chrysanthemums to commence bud development until January is well advanced. Before this, the great majority will not have fully entered thei? growing stride. There is a vnst difference between the progress made in December with that made in January and after. In the earlier months growth is more or less hard and stunted, and unfitted for the more delicate process of bud development. In the latter period growth is moro rapid and consequently more tender. When buds do appear oq this latter growth, they

develop quickly and as a rule make pertect flowers. The fault of hard growth cannot be laid at the door of the grower. All I that can be said for it is that it is I natural, and without it there could be nothing later. The whole point is that growers should learn to distinguish between suitablo and unsuitable growth, and act accordingly, Although the recent dry spell has not brought out the best in chrysanthemums, it has enabled the grower to take an added interest in -the feedinn of the plants. Those who have made free use of home-made liquid manures will now be ahlo to increase the strength a little. It will also lie of advantage if a top-dressing is applied when the weather is showery. Henceforward. the two greatest enemies cf the plants are earwigs and high winds. The former post can destroy a season's work in a night, and there is nothing like supplementing traps by going round at night with a torch and destroying the pests while at work.