CHRYSANTHEMUM BUDS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20221, 3 February 1934, Page 29 (Supplement)

CHRYSANTHEMUM BUDS.

TERMS FULLY EXPLAINED. The jargon of the enthusiastic “mum" grower is not very plain to the majority of gardeners, and to hear a couple of enthusiastic growers chatting on “breaks” and “crowns” is to cause wonder whether they are plotting against the monarchy or have some intention of holding up a bank. However, as a rule, they are quite harmless, and an explanation as to what the terms mean will make the matter quite plain. The cutting being rooted and the plant growing it continues to grow to a single stem until about the middle to end of December, when it produces an embryo bud, which, however, does not develop, but the plant produces two or more shoots, which continue the growth. This

is known as the “first” or “natural” break. If the plants are stopped or pinched, this bud does not appear. The bud is very seldom allowed to develop, as it only gives a thin bloom, and much too early in the season. The time when this first break is made varies. Some varieties show the first flower bud at a foot high, while others will grow 3ft before it appears. Cuttings rooted early will make their “first break” in November, while others and later-rooted cuttings will not show it till the end of December. The shoots from this “natural” break are reduced to two or three, and allowed to grow away freely. The “second break” will take place about the beginning of February, and the bud formed is known as the “second break,” “first crown,” or “crown” bud. This bud is sometimes retained, or “taken,” as it is termed, to form the flower, in which case the side shoots which would be developed are pinched

•out. If this bud develops in the beginning of February and the blooms would be too early for the purpose for which they are grown, this bud is pinched out and another, known as the “third break,” or “second crown,” is developed. The flowers from the “first crown” are inclined to be light in colour, and the petals are on the thin side, an advantage if the time is correct with lightcoloured varieties and those that arc too full of petals and inclined to damp If the “first crown” is pinched out. the plant grows away with two or more shoots; these shoots are reduced to the correct number and another bud, known as the “third break” or “second crown* is formed. Generally speaking, this bud is produced about the middle of February, and is the one mostly “taken” oi retained for producing the flower. The blooms produced from this bud arc generally considered of typical coloui and form. If the “second crown” bud is not allowed to develop, the plant grows on and produces other buds, and these are known as terminal buds. In this latter case a central bud surrounded by a number of lateral buck-

are produced not only by the growing tip but by all lateral shoots. This “terminal” bud is the last to be produced, and is the one that is allowed to develop on plants grown for decorative purposes. The flowers are usually deeper in tint, smaller in size, and unless well disbudded, inclined to show an eye as soon as fully open. The illustration shows in three stages the development of the different buds. Of course, in each case, if the buds are “taken” and allowed to deve*op, all other buds and lateral shoots must be suppressed, but with all but the terminal buds the lateral shoots will, if allowed to grow, prevent the bud, below which they grow, developing.