NOTES ON POT CULTURE 
The size of the finished plant determines the time of the first 
potting. For 8 inch— late April or early May; 6 inch— early May; 
5 inch —late May or early June; 3 cuttings to a pot in late June or 
early July will make good 5 and 6 inch. After the plants are estab- 
lished in the larger pots, they may be carried along in the green- 
house or plunged in outdoor frames. Some growers lift plants from 
the field in August. but such plants must be shaded and syringed 
the first week after potting to avoid loss of foliage. 
WATER. Possibly the most important and the most neglecetd 
item in the culture of pot Mums. Water sparingly until the plants are 
partially pot bound. Do not allow them to wilt much at any time, 
and do not allow them to root through the pots into the soil beneath 
the pots. 
PINCHING. All varieties, excepting the Cushions, require regu- 
lar pinching. Pinch off the center of the shoot soon after the plants 
are established in small pots. A second pinch three weeks after the 
first, and a third pinch three weeks after the second are usually suf- 
ficient to produce dwarf, sturdy plants. 
FERTILIZER. Any ordinary potting soil will do. Avoid the 
sandy types, as such require more water. A 4 inch potful of 4-12-4 
fertilizer to a wheelbarrow of soil gives good results. After the 
plants are 1-3 or 1-2 of mature size, feed every 2 or 3 weeks. Leaf 
burn will result from too much. Do not feed after buds show color. 
INSECTS. A weekly nicotine spray, especially if the plants are 
under glass, is cheap insurance against aphis. Use DDT for thrip. 
SPACING. Whether the plants are growing out doors or inside, 
they should never be crowded. Allow plenty of air and light on all 
sides. This is quite important in late summer when the plants are of 
large size. 
SALES NOTES 
SPRING SALES. Retail sales of Hardy Mums should be en- 
couraged in the Spring. The plants are much easier to handle than 
Fall clumps, and the pirce usually is about % that of field clumps. 
In addition to the regular Spring season, they are a good item to 
push during June and early July. 
All labels should have the variety name, color, height and bloom- 
ing season. Rooted cuttings should be potted in pots frdbm 2 to 3 
inches in size. They should be ready to retail in 3 to 5 weeks. After 
they are established, they may be plunged in cold frames. Some re- 
move the pots and plant in peat beds. 
They will grow fast if the soil is rich and they have plenty of 
water. Use plenty of ventilation under glass. One tip pinching 
when the plants of erect growing varieties are 6 to 8 inches tall 
should be sufficient. 
FALL SALES. Most Hardy Mums are sold as dug directly from 
the field. However, to handle large quantities, it is better to dig the 
plants from the field and heel them in a display bed of sand, peat, 
sawdust or soil. Better display is secured and much of the sales- 
man’s time is saved. Also the plants may be watered and sold with 
the roots moist. This is important in dry Fall seasons. If possible 
plant one variety to a row, or in a block of adjoining rows. 3 or 4 
varieties in one row or one variety in 3 or 4 places in the display 
grounds is not usually very effective. oY 
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