Cultural Pointers 
SOILS — (Continued) 
Aeration 
Proper drainage and proper aeration of the soil are 
very vital to good growth. Many times improper drain- 
age of the bench or bed is the reason for a poor crop. 
No wet spots should ever be present. Soil drainage 
may be improved by the addition of various materials. 
Any coarse organic material such as manure, alfalfa 
hay or clover hay applied at a rate not to exceed one- 
fourth the volume will separate the soil particles suffi- 
ciently to increase pore space. 
Adding several bushels of peat per 100 sq. ft. of 
bench area before planting and worked into the top 
inch of the soil will help keep the surface open and 
porous. Heavy applications of sand to a soil have not 
always proven of value to a chrysanthemum crop. 
Aeration may also be increased by proper cultivation 
of the soil. 
Soil Management 
Soils vary a great deal over the country, and yet many 
good crops of chrysanthemums are grown on all types 
of soil. Soil itself is not the most important factor, but 
soil management is of extreme importance. In con- 
sidering the management of the soil, the following steps 
are suggested: 
1. Apply a quarter of the volume of manure or other 
organic substitute once a year, usually just before 
steam sterilization. Rototill organic matter into 
the soil. When growing on ground beds, watch the 
tilling so that no impervious layer is formed which 
will later cause poor drainage. 
2. Steam sterilize the soil to a temperature of 180 
degrees Fahrenheit at least once a year. Usually 
this is done during the summer months. 
3. Apply 5 pounds of super phosphate per 100 Sq. 
ft. of area once a year. 
4. After each steam sterilization apply 5 pounds ol 
gypsum (Calcium sulfate) per 100 sq. ft. 
5. Test soil for acidity and make correction before 
planting. 
60 
6. 
Add several bushels of granular peat per 100 sq. 
ft. of area before planting and working into the 
top inch of the soil. 
Plant immediately after the soil cools. Waiting 
a week or two will increase the soluble salts into 
a dangerous concentration. 
Water heavily after planting so that you are com- 
bining watering and leaching. Continue to water 
heavily until the plants have become well es- 
tablished, 
Maintain the following nutrient levels: 
Nitrate Nitrogen 5-10 p.p.m. 
Phosphorus 5-10 p.p.m. 
Potassium 20-40 p.p.m. 
Calcium 200-250 p.p.m. 
Solubridge reading 40 or lower 
Apply a complete fertilizer at time of bud initia- 
tion. Heavy watering and frequent light fertilizing 
will make chrysanthemums grow. 
Terminal Spray Formation Resulting from Time Pinching 
Showing Cornell Weight Grades 
