Evening star., 1947-08-31
By w. H. Younqmon

ny
Now that fall is almost here we
may expect our chrysanthemums to
start into stronger growth. While
1947 has been an ideal summer for
these snowy fall flowers, many vari-
cites do not make vigorous growth
until the days begin to get fairly
short and the nights cool and dewy.
They are very sensitive to length of
day and can't be forced into early
bloom simply by cutting off daylight
with a dark cloth for an hour or so
each evening"
With the plants coming into an
active stage of growth it is impor-
tant to give them the attention they
deserve if they are to produce the
abundance of bloom we desire.
Four steps of attention are all
that is necessary to provide top
quality flowers:
First Is the feeding, an item that
is all too often neglected.
Second is watering, and they need
plenty.
Third is cultivation.
Fourth, they may need protection
from insects and diseases.
Fertilize Heavily.
Chrysanthemums are gross feeders
and they need to be well nourished
if they are to produce strong growth.
1t is well to give them a liberal
feeding of commercial fertilizer, 8
to 4 pounds per 100 square feet of
bed. Growers of choice flowers
ordinarily supplement this with
liquid manure once or twice a
month until the plants are well into
flower. Such a feeding program is
especially needed for those clumps
which have not been divided for
three or four years. Usually they
are divided and reset every third
year.
One word of caution-never apply
fertilizer to the plants when the
soil is dry. Even ordinary CONNER
cial fertilizer will burn if applied to
a dry soil. Spread the fertilizer after
watering and then wash into the
soil with a second watering.
The watering of chrysanthemums
may seem an elementary question
one that might well be omitted here
However, it is so universally done
in a half-hearted manner that 1t
must be discussed. Instead of the
usual surface sprinkling, dig q
trench around each plant, the
trench a foot to Is inches from the
stem. Let the water run slowly into
it until filled and then give it time
to soak into the soil before rehlling
three or four times. Then fill the
trench with dry soil to keep from
crusting.
Stir Soil Lightly.
| Chrysanthemums are S h a | o "
rooted plants and deep digging OF
the soil will destroy many of the
feeder roots, thereby injuring the
plants. Stir the soil lightly after
each shower or watering to keep it
open so that the roots may have
air. Keep weeds and grass out OF
the chrysanthemum bed. They re-
duce the circulation of air and pro-
vide a condition favorable for the
development of disease.
The control of insects and dis
eases Is not often major chore for
the chrysanthemum grower. Aphis
are probably the most common pest
but they may be controlled by an
occasional spraying with nicotine
sulphate and soap. However, II
leaf-spot or other diseases should
appear the same spray or dust that
is so well-adapted to the control OF
black-spot on roses will be found
satisfactory Zone containing Fer
mate. sulphur and rotenone or
1DDT). DOT seems to be an effective
control of the chrysanthernum
nematode, although it is still in the
experimental stage. The nematode
is one of the causes of the lower
foliage turning brown. Other causes
are lack of moisture and plant food,
and crowding. Good cultivation and