Cultural Suggestions 
Start out with the best cuttings available. Our stock is produced and shipped by Chrysanthemum Specialists. 
There is none better. 
CARE OF CUTTINGS WHEN RECEIVED 
Upon arrival of the cuttings examine them immediately. If they have been delayed in transit, some damage may 
have occurred along the way. If the roots should be dry and plants are wilted, soaking them in about 1 inch of 
water for about 1 hour will revive them greatly. 
If they should have become heated and some fungus has developed, dipping them in a solution of Fermate, 2 
tablespoons-full to 1 gallon water, will stop any further spread of the fungi. Of course, if the shipment has been 
delayed too long and the plants have stretched or turned yellow, or should be badly frozen, file claim with the 
Transportation Company immediately. 
SOILS 
Chrysanthemums will grow in about any type of soil provided it has reasonable drainage. Steam sterilization 
before planting, if it is possible, will prevent disease and weed growth. The soil should be low in nitrates at 
planting time, but should be built up by feeding after the plants have become well established. 
WATERING 
Cuttings should be watered very liberally as soon as planted. Mums need plenty of water during their entire 
period of growth. 
PINCHING 
This operation varies with the specific need for which you are growing the plants. In general practice allow four 
weeks from planting until the first pinch, and three weeks for each successive pinch thereafter. All time pinch- 
ing centers around the last pinching date, which is the recommended pinching date in our Catalog for normal 
blooming. If you cannot make the pinch on this date, it is better to make the last pinch a few days later than to 
make it earlier. If your pinching has been timed right, you will have very little trouble with the large Mums devel- 
oping crown buds, and the spray on the Pompons should be perfect. If for some reason, due to your particular 
locality, the large Mums develop the crown bud instead of the terminal bud, then pinch a week later than recom- 
mended. If the Pompon spray is too open, then pinch one week later, or if it should be too tight, then pinch 
this particular variety one week earlier the next season. By doing this, you can grow the type of spray your 
particular maket desires. 
The last pinching time for cut flowers under controlled blooming procedures is usually about four weeks before 
shade is applied. For pot plants under these procedures, this pinch is usually made at about the same time or 
shortly after shade is applied. 
SHADING 
When using shade on Pompons, the shade must be continued until the whole bed is uniform in color. In the case 
of large Mums, the shade can be removed as soon as all the buds are selected. 
WHAT CAUSES PREMATURE BUDDING OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS 
DURING THE SPRING MONTHS, AND WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT IT 
Bud initiation can occur anytime during the spring months, whenever your temperatures in the greenhouses are 
consistently 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and the days are short enough to initiate bud setting. These con- 
ditions can occur anytime up until May Ist depending upon the variety and the locality in which they are being 
grown. Some varieties such as the garden varieties and early shading varieties require very little short day 
treatment, coupled with high temperatures to initiate buds. This same tendency to set bud readily is what makes 
these varieties desirable for early shading and garden work. 
In order to prevent this premature setting of buds, these same varieties should be placed where they can be given 
additional light during the early spring months. Use 60 watt bulbs spaced 4 feet apart and 30 inches above 
the plants. Use the lights for a period of two hours each night after dark up until May Ist, then discontinue 
lighting. 
Page 2 
