
___ Gloechoer 
CULTURAL POINTERS 
Callcee P. ointers 
FERTILIZER 
When using fresh soil, apply 3 to 5 lbs. of super phosphate per 100 square feet of area plus a 
liberal application of manure before planting. Phased moves slowly within the soil mixture. It 
should always be added before the crop is benched so that it may be mixed thoroughly into the 
soil. A mulch of peat, rotted manure, alfalfa or red clover hay applied two to three weeks after 
planting is helpful. Six weeks after planting and every three weeks until color shows an application of 
ammonium sultate at the rate of | lb. per 100 square feet of area or 2 lbs. of a complete fertilizer, 
such as Electra, is advisable. Remember that the plant is the best guide as to fertilizer requirements. 
In the cooler weather and shorter days of September, omit the ammonium sulfate if the plants are 
growing freely and are of good color. The chrysanthemum plant assimilates more chideeeeeae and 
potassium during the fall when temperatures decline. Therefore, it is more desirable to apply a com- 
plete fertilizer shortly after the buds are visible. 
When using sterilized soil the best recommendations to follow would be to analyze your soil from 
time to time. We have found that when the following nutrient levels are kept, good crops are the 
result. Nitrate nitrogen should be between !0 to 25 parts per million; phosphorus from 2 to 5 parts 
per million and potassium 20 to 40 parts per million. 
The foregoing pertains to plants that appear and behave normally. If plants are stunted, look yel- 
low and sick, they are probably suffering from an extremely rich soil. Many greenhouse soils are ex- 
cessively rich and chrysanthemums will not thrive in such a medium. If this is the case, the remedy is 
leaching with water. Lots and lots of it. More water than you ever applied to a bench at once 
before, two or three gallons per square foot. The water that runs through the soil carries with it the 
excessive plant food and allows your plants to recover from their indigestion. Did you ever notice — 
fine healthy growth on a small part of a sick-looking bed of mums, and observe that it was under a 
broken pane of glass that allowed the rain water to come through and leach the soil below? Such a 
sight is a sure indication that the soil needed leaching. In most cases this condition is the result of 
the foolish and indiscriminate use of fertilizers. Use them when needed, but use them judiciously. 
Remember fertilizers are plant food in an extremely concentrated form. 
PLANTING 
Under shading information we have added the date of benching and you will note that we suggest 
planting in May and June depending on the date you wish to shade. The reason for earlier plant- 
ing is to allow the plant enough time to grow so that the stem length is sufficient when blooms 
are ready to cut. For normal culture it is our experience that too late a planting, such as in late 
July or August, does not pay. We would like to see all planting done in the month of June. 
Many florists are planting rooted cuttings directly into permanent locations. This not only reduces 
several handlings and production costs, but also produces a better quality bloom. We fully realize 
that it is often an impossibility for all to treat their chrysanthemums this way. However, we have 
found that young, soft plants are superior to hard woody plants. We do not recommend the plant- 

Midge Showing Typical Galls on Foliage Symphillid Enlarged 10x 
