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Cxtending the Chrysanthemum Sean 
a Short P erael by the Use of oLights 
To produce high quality standards and singles for the Christmas season it is necessary to grow some of 
the better November flowering varieties under light to retard blooming. Some growers have made 
a specialty of producing a quality crop to mature at Christmas or later. Growers in Texas and other 
southern states find that a short delay in flowering will bring their crop in when they can compete with 
crops grown in the open in California. 
Best results were obtained when the plants were lighted nightly, beginning 2 weeks before the first 
visible buds. If it is desired to extend the blooming season for short periods of a few weeks, then the 
light-exposure period each night can be short, not to exceed 60 minutes of light from 40- to 60-watt 
bulbs spaced 4 to 5 feet apart and 4 feet above the bench. If the blooming season is to be extended 
further, a longer period of light should be used. 
The lights should be discontinued according to the blooming time desired. November | to 15 flower- 
ing varieties will require 9 weeks after the lights are stopped until blooming, November |5 to 30 flow- 
ring varieties require 10 to I! weeks and those blooming in December, || to 12 weeks, depending 
somewhat upon the temperature maintained in the greenhouse. 
USEFUL HINTS 
1—Select vigorous growing midseason to late-flowering varieties for delayed flower- 
ing, such as Indianapolis White, Pink, Bronze and Yellow, Dark Pink Orchid Queen, 
~ Orchid Queen, Yellow Queen, Jean Elizabeth, Valencia and its sports. 
2—Planting date may be several weeks later than when no lights are used. Plant two 
plants per hill, pinch pompons once and grow three stems per plant. 
3—Light with 40- to 60-watt lamps using suitable reflectors hung at four-foot intervals 
over the bench. Too low a light intensity will not retard bud development. 
4—Start lights at least 2 weeks before buds are normally visible for the variety, 
usually not later than August |O0th. Starting after this date may cause mal- 
formed flowers and long necks. : 
5—Use lights EVERY NIGHT at or near midnight, for one hour, when blooming is 
to be delayed several weeks. Use lights three hours for delaying longer periods. 
6—Pinch pompoms and disbuds the last time 35 days before the light treatment is 
discontinued. This will prevent varieties from getting too leggy. 
7—Night temperatures should be 55 degrees with day temperatures from 10 to 15 

Proper Lighting For Delaved Flowering 

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