A large-flowered chrysanthemum develops one large flower at the tip of each stem. Some varieties grow this way naturally. In others, it is necessary to select the main bud on a shoot and then remove the buds immediately below it. This diverts all the energy into developing one impressive flower. Large-flowered chrysanthemums are mainly grown as cut flowers or for showing.
Spray chrysanthemums are the opposite – they develop smaller flowers that are carried in branched sprays to create a more informal look.
Again, some varieties grow naturally as sprays. In others, branching can be stimulated by snipping off the main bud. This encourages the buds farther down the stems to develop. Many garden mums naturally develop as sprays. Sprays are also widely used as cut flowers.
Most pot mums, as well as the Mammoth varieties, naturally develop a more repeatedly branched style of growth, so the plants mature into domes of color.