A.2.C. Supreme Quality Reeted Cultings 
SHIPPING 
Protection for bunches of the spray types can be 
obtained by wrapping each bunch with cellophane or 
Wax paper. Tissue paper dries out the petals and should 
not be used. Standard mums should be cushioned by a 
roll of newspaper just back of the heads and a layer of 
Wax paper underneath each row of flowers. 
To prevent movement in the shipping box, the stems 
should be cleated or sewn to the bottom with heavy 
twine. 
For insulation in cold weather, layers of newspapers 
have been used for years. Some of the newer insulating 
materials such as the Jiffy liner are more effective. In 
warm weather the stock can be cooled prior to pack- 
ing, then kept cool by means of ice along with insula- 
tion. 
DRY COLD STORAGE 
Although chrysanthemums are well known for their 
long keeping quality, they mature most rapidly in 
water. By placing the bunches in dry storage at 31° to 
33°F., the flowers may be held for several weeks. Con- 
ventional corrugated shipping boxes may be used and 
should be lined with wax paper or a polyethylene 
sheet. The bunches are laid in, covered over with the 
lining material, and the box is tied. Although not com- 
pletely air tight, it is sufficient to reduce the exchange 
of oxygen and carbon dioxide so that the flowers will 
keep. Upon removal from the storage, the bottom inch 
of stem should be cut off, and the bunch placed in 
water at 80° to 100°F. for several hours to soak up. 
The air temperature should be 45° to 50°F. 
Only the very best plant material should be stored 
since disease organisms will develop in storage even 
at the very low temperatures. 
YEAR AROUND FLOWERING 
Variety response groups 
It is convenient to refer to varieties according to 
their response group which is the number of weeks 
that elapse from the time short days are started until 
flowering. The early varieties are the 7 and 8-week 
groups, midseason varieties are the 9, 10, and 11-week 
groups, and late varieties are the 12, 13, and 14-week 
groups. 
The 7, 8, and 9-week varieties of spray types are 
not recommended for flowering in January, February, 
and March because the sprays are too clubby. The use 
of the later varieties at this time insures better spray 
formation and greater production because the later 
varieties appear to tolerate low light intensities. The 
late varieties are not used in spring, summer, and fall 
because they do not tolerate high temperature. 
SHADING FOR A SHORT DAY 
The chrysanthemum will form and develop its 
flowere buds when the length of day in 134% hours or 
less. To obtain this condition, the plants are covered 
with black sateen or plastic cloth at 5 P.M. and this 
is removed at 7 to 8 A.M. This must be done daily 
when the natural day length is greater than 13% 
hours until the flower buds on standard mums are the 
size of a nickel and spray types show color. 
LIGHTING FOR A LONG DAY 
If the plants are to be prevented from forming flower 
buds, it is necessary that they be lighted each night 
when the natural day length is short enough to cause 
flower buds to form. This can be accomplished by 
placing lights in suitable reflectors over individual 
benches as follows: 60-watt bulbs spaced 4 feet apart, 
2 feet above the tops of the plants; or 100-watt bulbs 
spaced 6 feet apart, 2 to 3 feet above the tops of the 
plants. Where the entire house is to be equipped with 
lights, 300-watt reflector bulbs can be placed near the 
ridge or in wider hosues two lines should be installed. 
About 1%2 watts of light will be needed per square 
foot of ground areas covered by the greenhouse. 
Ten foot candles of light will prevent flower bud 
formation on all but the very earliest chrysanthemum 
varieties. The light installations described above will 
be adequate to provide 10 foot candles. 
Actually the chrysanthemum is a long night rather 
than a short day plant so if the night is broken up or 
interrupted by light, flower buds won’t form. There- 
fore, begin lighting at 10 P.M. for the number of hours 
indicated. 
2 hours in August - 5 hours in January 
4 hours in February 
3 hours in March 
2 hours in April 
2% hours in September 
3 hours in October 
4 hours in November 
5 hours in December 1% hours in May 
Controlling day length 
The time to start and stop both lighting and shading is shown in the table below: 
LIGHTING 
Variety Response Group 
Tand 8-week 
9 and 10-week 
11 and 12-week 
13 and 14-week 
SHADING 
Stop in 
fall on 
Sept. 5 
Sept. 15 
Oct. 1 
Oct. 15 
Stop in 
spring on 
March 25 
March 10 
Feb. 25 
April 15 
