March Tips

Cultural tips for late chrysanthemums

March is now upon us , time to study the stopping times for most 

Late- flowering singles and incurves to be flowered on second crown

will soon need their first stop by the end  of the month. 

Some Earlies will also need  stopping before the end of the month, 

consult your Northern Stopping Guide. This book is only a guide, so ask 

around at your local society, conditions alter in your area, so keep a record 

of each cultivars you grow, it will help your timing for next year.

Stopping is simple the removal of the growing tip ,say 1/4 inch in order to

channel the vigour of the plant at the desired time into laterals that emerge

from the leaf axels. Stopping dates vary, due to the fact that some cultivars

take longer to produce buds and flowers after stopping.

About the 3rd week in March you should be thinking about preparing your

frames, clean out with Jeyes fluid and apply slug bait.

By the end of March pots can be stood pot thick into your frame, by now the

Jeyes and slug bait will have done their job. Protect from frost and cold winds.

Frame lights should be kept closed for the first week. They should be covered

with matting at night, whenever freezing temperatures are expected.

Prepare for your final potting, a bushel is the equivalent of four 2- gallon buckets.

Soilless compost can be purchased ready mixed, or it can be made up from peat

and sharp sand to which formulated fertilisers containing all the nutrients

needed can be added ,Packs of these fertilisers can be obtained from your local garden centre,

and all you have to do is mix three parts of peat with one part sharp sand,

plus the packet of fertiliser. 

Late Sprays

Insert cuttings of  your Late Sprays for mother plants later in the year for cuttings material.

Time to take cuttings of Fantasy and Spider Varieties.   

Potting on the Newly Rooted Cuttings,

The important requirement is clean pots and properly prepared compost.

I use 3 ½ inch clay pots, after taking the cuttings out of the rooting trays.

After potting, place on the unheated staging and then add the label.

thereafter water will be given when really needed.

Protect from sun and frost.