CULTURAL POINTERS 

Chrysanthemums wp Year Be] 
Chrysanthemums can be produced at any time of year, providing day length, temperature, insects and 
diseases are controlled correctly. Our research workers in various federal and state institutions have 
shown us that a crop of chrysanthemums can be harvested every four months. 
The chrysanthemum has great variety of colors and types and also has excellent keeping quality. 
Both the retailer and consumer are interested in this and they will welcome the addition of chrysan- 
themums the year around. 
Season has been elimiated and the flowering time can be accurately controlled. You can use varieties 
that are best for your market. Some varieties are execllent for the August to November bloom but 
are worthless during the winter and spring months because of the poor light intensity at that time. 
Daylength Control 
It has been known that the days are short enough for bud formation around September |. This will 
vary somewhat depending upon your location in the States. To prevent flower buds from forming 
it is desirable to lengthen the day with additional light starting August 15. When one is using black 
cloth to reduce the length of the day the treatment can be discontinued September |. . 
Similarly in the spring the days are too long for further bud formation starting April 15. To prevent 
bud formation light the plants until April 20. If you want bud formation start shading March 15, 
or a little earlier if you are in the extreme southern states. 
Black Cloth 
If you are using black cloth during the period from March I5 to July 25 be sure to have opaque 
cloth so that very little light passes through the cloth. Cloth that has been previously used very 
likely will not be dark enough, so make tests with a light meter before using. Heavy canvas dyed a 
dark color has proven to be satisfactory. 
Amount of Additional Light 
Cornell University recommends the use of 60 watt lamps with reflectors spaced at six foot intervals, 
three feet above the plants. Light should be applied from midnight to 12:30 a.m. from August 15 
to September | and February 15 to April 15. During the period from September | to February 15 
it is necessary to use four hours of additional illumination from midnight to 4:00 a.m. 
Temperature Control 
For bud formation a minimum temperature of 60 degrees should be maintained. During the period 
of elongation or where bud formation is not wanted a night temperature near 55 degrees is ideal 
but some investigators find that 50 degrees is satisfactory. When black cloth is started raise the night 
temperature to 60 degrees until color shows, and then it can be lowered. 
Timing 15 - 30 - 60 
Rooted cuttings previously grown under additional light should be planted directly into the permanent | 
location and 15 days later should be pinched. A soft pinch should be made. Allow 30 days atter 
pinching for the period of elongation before applying the short day treatment. 60 days of short day 
treatment are necessary before blooms are ready to cut. The following schedule should be followed 
to regulate your blooming period throughout the year. 
Varieties 
The selection of varieties is of extreme importance. The varieties to use for January, February and 
March flowering should be those that bloom naturally the end of November and the early part of 
December. Use only the more vigorous growing varieties such as Golden Jane, Apricot Valencia, 
Valencia, Sunnyside, Omega and Seafoam. 
For blooming in April, May and June, workers at Ohio State found that varieties such as Sunray, 
Yellow Arcadia, White Mensa, Shasta, Pinocchio, Minong, Arcadia responding most favorably. 
