Culture of Pot Chrysthanthemums

By: Carrie Schumacher

Pot Chrysthanthemums are non-hardy mums grown for blooming plants. These plants were grown for the Greenhouse Production and Management Class for Spring Semester 2002.

 

The crop was planted at two different times. The first 2,000 cuttings were planted on January 17. The second batch was planted on January 27. A standard sunshine mix was used for soil. Five cuttings were planted in one standard six inch pot. The cuttings were planted slightly tilted towards the edge of the pot, which allows for more room and lets light in. This leads to increased branching and fuller plants.

On January 31, the mums were given a hard pinch. About 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of new growth was taken off to promote branching and to increase flower count. Mums are pinched according to growth. They can be pinched when they have a well established root system and at least 1 inch of new growth.

 

Spacing

The mums were first started with a few inches of space between each pot. Later when they grew larger they were spaced again. They were spaced as far apart as our bench space would allow and no problems were experienced.

 

 

 

This picture shows the mums being spaced.

 

Flower Programing

Mums are a short day plants, which require less than 12hrs of light. They have two critical photoperiods. Long days are used to maintain vegetative growth and to determine overall plant size. Short days are used to program flower development. Exact length depends on the cultivar.

For the first month long days were given to the plants. Then on Febuary 24, short day treatments were started. The plants were covered at 5pm and uncovered at 8 am the next day.

This picture show the set up used to create short days.

 

Fertilizing

Mums are heavy feeders. The fertilizer must have at least 60% nitrate nitrogen source and contain trace elements. The Fertilizer used was a 20-20-20 mix. The fertilizer was mixed at a rate of 285 grams per 5 gallons of water. It was applied with a 15:1 injector. Applications started on Febuary 14 and continued every other day for a month, then were reduced to once a week until the mums were sold.

 

Growth Regulator

To keep the mums compact and easier to manage growth regulator was applied. B-9 was applied at a rate of five tablespoons per one gallon of water. The chemical was applied with a hand pump sprayer, as shown to the right. The growth regulator was applied twice, once on Febuary 21 and then a week later on Febuary 28.

This picture shows B-9 being applied.

 

Disbudding

The mums grown were not disbudded. The peroid to disbud was missed and would not have made a difference in the flowers sized. However, a few were disbudded so that we could see how it was done.

There are two ways of disbudding. Removing the center bud creates a spray effect. The removal of the lateral buds creates one large center flower.

This picture show the lateral buds being removed on a mum.

The Final Product

 

Source: Yoder Pot Mums cataloge, 2000-2001