CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN POTS. 



71 



Late struck plants, say those rooted from the end of March to the 

 first week in May, are very useful in the conservatory or in the decora- 

 tion of the home, and if kept to one stem many varieties will give really 

 first-class exhibition flowers ; the treatment is much the same as already 

 outlined for the Japanese varieties. They are best rooted in boxes and 

 potted off early into 6o's, being shifted on into 48's and then into 32 's 

 or small 24's as quickly as they require it, making the soil very firm 

 at the last potting. Some varieties will break naturally at about the 

 right time, but failing this they should have the points pinched out 

 about June 10 and with careful treatment will make good plants, 

 varying in height from about 2 feet to 3 feet 6 inches. To preserve 

 the foliage in these small pots watering and manuring must be rather 

 more liberal than in the case of the large pots, though if extra dwarf 

 plants are desired the manuring must be deferred somewhat till after 

 the buds are taken. 



Very dwarf bush plants may also be secured by this system of 

 late propagation, and for this purpose a rigid selection of varieties 

 must be made, choosing those that are naturally dwarf in habit and 

 that break freely from one pinching, though if rooted in March 

 and the plants grow quickly it may be possible to pinch them twice and 

 so secure more shoots. Very firm potting is essential, and only 

 sufficient manure must be given to keep the plants healthy in the 

 small pots. It is far the best practice to disbud such plants one bloom 

 to each shoot, after which they will take quite a lot of manure — for 

 preference little and often. 



The date of housing the plants naturally varies in different localities, 

 but generally speaking all plants for large blooms should be under 

 glass by the first week in "October. It may be necessary to house 

 some of the earlier varieties sooner than this ; in fact they are best 

 under cover before they show colour. 



The housing of the decorative varieties naturally depends upon 

 the season of blooming. Some of the early ones may have to be 

 housed early in September to ensure good, clear flowers. Mid-season 

 varieties should be put in at the end of the month or early in October. 

 After this date all varieties that are left out should be provided with 

 temporary shelter in case of frost, and by this means, in some districts, 

 they may remain out till the first or second week in November. 



The treatment of the plants under glass is fairly simple. Exhibition 

 plants naturally need more care, owing to the length of time they are 

 opening. Immediately after housing, all the air possible should be 

 given, lessening the amount as the blooms develop and the outside 

 weather conditions get worse. To avoid damping, never allow 

 the temperature to rise very high under the influence of sun -heat. 

 Shade to avoid this, also endeavour to prevent direct draughts from 

 the ventilators, and at all times have sufficient heat in the pipes to 

 keep the atmosphere of the house dry and moving. This applies 

 to all classes of plants. Watering must be carefully done, though it is 

 a mistaken policy to keep the plants too dry after housing, as they 

 naturally suffer a little through the change in the atmospheric 



