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Cultural Pointers 
FERTILIZERS 
Soil structure is the key to soil fertility. The response of chrysanthemums to fertilization depends upon 
a favorable soil structure. It is known that plants require nutrients, water and air for growth. Good 
soil structure will provide proper air and water relationships. Therefore, it behooves us to give proper 
pitention to the soil before starting the crop. Good open soil is a necessity. 
eeding 
Chrysanthemums do much better right from the start if the soil is not too rich. Very often this crop 
will start off faster in new soil as compared with old soil that has been sterilized just because of 
the lower nutrient level in new soil. When using new soil, apply 5 lbs. of super phosphate per 
100 sq. ft. of area, plus a liberal application of manure before planting. Phosphorus 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. One to two applications of a ‘complete fertilizer, such as Electra, 
made after the plants become established and until color shows will be adequate. Electra applied at 
the rate of 2 pounds per 100 sq. ft. of bed is sufficient. Never apply fertilizers to a dry soil. Water 
lightly first, then apply the proper quantity of fertilizer, then water heavily. Liquid feeding with water 
soluble fertilizers is fast becoming the latest method of applying fertilizer. Remember that the plant 
is the best guide as to fertilizer requirements and that more mums are ruined by overfeeding than 
by nutrient deficiencies. 
Levels of Nutrition 
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 5 - 10 parts per million; phosphorus 5 - 10 parts per million; po- 
tassium 20 - 40 p.p.m. and calcium near 200 p.p.m. To increase the nitrate level feed one pound of 
ammonium sulfate per 100 sq. ft. of area, and to bring up the potassium apply muriate of potash 
not to exceed | lb. per 100 sq. ft. If phosphorus is needed apply mono-calium phosphate at the rate 
of | pound per 100 sq. ft. 
Liberal application of calcium sulfate (gypsum) 5 pounds per 100 square feet after steam sterilization 
will prevent injury to young roots. High phosphorus also reduces toxicity after sterilization. 
In the cooler weather and shorter days of September omit the nitrogen if the plants are growing freely. 
The mum assimilates more phosphorus and potassium during the time of bud initiation. Therefore, it 
is desirable to apply a complete fertilizer shortly after the buds are visible. 
Soluble Salts 
Soluble salts are chemical compounds consisting of an acid part or ion and a basic part or ion. For 
example, common table salt, sodium chloride, consists of one ion of chloride and one of sodium. 
Chloride is an acid forming ion and sodium a basic or alkali forming ion. The two combine in chemi- 
cally equivalent quantities to form a neutral salt. Other common acidic ions are sulfate, nitrate, bi- 
carbonate, and phosphate. Other common basic ions are calcium, magnesium, potassium and am- 
monium. Any basic ion may combine with any acidic ion giving rise to a great variety of salts. 
All plant nutrients which are absorbed by plants from the soil or from culture solutions are absorbed 
in the form of salts or their constituent ions. All organic materials become ‘Mineralized’ through de- 
cay processes and the nutrients in them are con- 
verted into salts before being absorbed by plants. 
Some salts contain plant nutrients and are beneficial 
in the small quantities required for plant growth. 
Others contain no nutrients. All salts are harmful be- 
yond the small quantity required for plant growth. 
A little is bad, more is worse, up to the point where 
plants will be killed. Salts are found in most water 
and are applied as fertilizer. Improper watering 
may permit a concentration into the harmful range. 
Instruments called Wheatstone’s bridges are avail- 
able which measure total soluable salts in terms of 
electrical conductivity or conductance. Many lab- 
oratories of the Agricultural Extension Service are 
equipped with Solubridge instruments for use in 
assisting with soluble salt problems. 
lt has been found that when planting rooted cuttings, 
the Solubridge readings should not be higher than 
40 while established plants do not withstand read- 
ings of 100 without showing some harmful effects. 
To remedy excess soluble salts apply two to three 
gallons of water per square foot and leach out this 
high salt content. 
Laboratory Procedure Used in 
Developing Disease Free Cuttings 
