QUALITY CHRYSANTHEMUM PLANTS 
27 
Suggestions for Culture of Cascades 
• FOREWORD—Plants to be used for cascading effects are chosen because of their 
natural habit of producing a bushy growth and strong, flexible stems clothed with an 
abundance of florescent splendor. 
SOILS—Satisfactory results may be obtained by using a good, productive garden 
soil. Maximum results may best be had by the use of a compost prepared according to 
the specifications of any one of numerous formulae suitable for the purpose. We suggest 
that you try a mixture composed of one part well-rotted steer manure, one part thoroughly 
decomposed leaf mold and two parts fairly heavy loam. 
POTTING—Upon arrival plant should be placed in a 4 or 6 inch pot, size to be de¬ 
termined by stage of root development. Subsequent changes to increasingly larger pots 
must be made as the need arises. Each change should be accomplished before roots 
have had an opportunity to become pot-bound. Normally, July 15th should find plant 
permanently established in a 10 or 12 inch pot. 
WATERING—Space adequate for watering purposes must be left at top of pot. Water¬ 
ing should be attended to daily and sufficiently early to insure superficial dryness of 
foliage before nightfall. 
FERTILIZERS—Although liquid fertilizers compounded from animal manure are con¬ 
sidered old-fashioned and are in truth a bit messy in the manner of their making they 
are none the less effective when properly applied. Commercial fertilizers have come 
into general use, are readily available and convenient to handle. Your dealer is doubt¬ 
lessly qualified to choose the one most suitable for your specific need should you elect 
to use some form of the latter. 
FEEDING—The plant must be fed more or less sparingly at bi-weekly intervals. After 
each application of fertilizer careful study of the progress of growth being made by the 
plant and the condition of its foliage should give you a clue as to the amount and 
strength you need apply with each subsequent application. Avoid overfeeding at all 
times. Discontinue feeding when buds begin to show color. 
TRAINING—By taking advantage of its natural pliability and with proper manipula¬ 
tion this type of plant may be trained after a fashion to suit the individual taste. The 
heartshaped cascade seems to be in public favor at the time and it is chiefly to the 
method of its training that we devote the following with a word of admonition to bear 
in mind the fact that the basic principle of inducing widespread growth and maximum 
florescence remains the same regardless of the delineation of pattern desired. 
When plant Is 5 or 6 inches high pinch top. From new growth reserve uppermost 
shoot for use as main leader. Stop remaining shoots at second or third joint. Later divide 
equally and train to either side of main leader. It is often desirable to use but one shoot 
on each side of main leader and remove the rest. 
When main leader is 12 inches high train to a firmly Imbedded No. 10 galvanized 
wire 4 feet In length previously bent, at a point 5 inches above surface level of pot, to 
an angle of 45 degrees. Outer tip of wire must face to north. Tie end of main leader to 
supporting wire at weekly intervals. 
All laterals and sublaterals should be pinched systematically at every second or third 
joint throughout growing season to insure spread of growth and symmetry of form. As 
plant increases in width additional support is necessary for the purpose of stabilization. 
To overcome the natural tendency of plant to develop blooms from extreme tip first 
with a perceptible movement toward base, discontinue routine pinching about Sept. 1st. 
