CHRYSANTHEMUMS : SPECIMEN PLANTS. 



347 



Specimen Plants. 



At most shows, good prizes are offered for trained specimens, apart from ordinary 

 conservatory plants. Specimens from 4 to 6 feet in diameter, carrying from 100 to 200 

 well-formed blooms, require from first to last the closest attention, and one day's 

 neglect may undo the work of months. 



It is usually stipulated that specimen plants must be grown with a single clear stem. 

 More than one plant in a pot, and also any specimens of which sucker growths form 

 part, are liable to be disqualified. The start may either be made with cuttings or " cut- 

 back plants." If with cuttings, select those with no trace of a flower-bud in the 

 centre, also reject any that are gross and sappy. This should be done early in 

 November, inserting them singly in small pots (see p. 335). When well rooted transfer 

 to a light shelf in a warm greenhouse and before the plants become root-bound give a 

 small shift, using a compost, both at this time and each succeeding potting, the same as 

 recommended for the plants that are to produce exhibition blooms. "When rooted in 

 the fresh soil and the plants are 3 or 4 inches high, pinch out the extreme tip, and when 

 side growths show plainly shift the plants into 6-inch pots. Let them have a position 

 near the roof in a light, moderately warm greenhouse, and when the shoots are 3 to 4 

 inches long, top lightly a second time. They must be kept growing steadily and 

 strongly, avoiding either high or low temperatures. 



Early in March, or as soon as roots protrude through the drainage, shift the 

 plants into 8-inch pots, using a stronger compost (p. 337) this time, and making it firm. 

 From the greenhouse they may be moved to a pit late in March or early in April, 

 where, height permitting, they should be stood on inverted pots. Ventilate freely 

 when this can be done without admitting a rush of cold air to the plants, and afford 

 protection from late frosts. 



During the second or third week in May, give the final shift, employing 10 -inch 

 pots for the less robust, and a size larger for the rest. Attend well to the drainage 

 and pot firmly. Keep the plants somewhat close for a week in a pit or frames, watering 

 carefully and syringing on clear days. When the plants recover from the check 

 given in repotting and are growing strongly, ventilate freely both by night as well as 

 day, drawing the sashes off whenever the weather permits this to be done with safety. 

 Early in June the plants may be arranged in a sunny, sheltered spot in the open on 

 either double strips of boards or coarse ashes, into which they must not be allowed to 



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