March Cultural Notes

March Cultural Notes

MARCH CULTURAL NOTES
1. Clean pots and gather materials for potting:
· For soilless growers, supplies include soilless mix, Early Season fertilizer (12-45
10). Most of our growers use the M & R Soilless potting mix sold by the club at $10
/bag. Another good alternative is Sunshine #4 professional growers mix – can be
purchased at Home Depot.
2. Pot mums into 4 or 6-inch pot:
· Clay pots are recommended when possible for the 4 or 6 inch potting as these pots
breathe and dry out faster during cool March and April days.
· Wash used pots in a bleach/water solution, i.e. 2 teaspoons per gallon of water.
Then rinse in fresh water. Let the cleaned pots set in the clear water for 3 or 4
minutes to clear out the bleach. Change the rinse water occasionally to clear out
the bleach from previous rinses.
· Pot on when the ring of roots around the bottom of the pot is substantial. Do not
compact the mix and leave room at the top for watering.
3. Move pots outdoors:
· After mums have become well established in the new pots (1-2 weeks) move
mums outdoors or to cold frame to slow the foliage growth and toughen up the
plants. The desirable ambient temperature is 50 to 60 degrees.
· To keep roots warm and at a stable temp, bury the pots in the soil or in a layer of
compost or manure. Six inches is a good depth for the compost or manure. A cold
frame is the best solution for this stage!
· Lacking a good sunny location, B-9 is a growth retardant spray mix that tends to
help plants from getting too leggy. It is available through the club.
4. Stopping Dates:
· Review stopping dates and stop mums as their stopping dates arrive. Very few
varieties require pinching in March unless a double pinching regimen is being
followed (Phil Houghton March 15 and May 15 for example).
· Refer to the various ECA lists of stopping dates. Stopping date list are available on
our website.
5. Keep growing vigorously:
· Water as needed, but keep relatively dry
· Spray or control aphids
· Fertilize soil less plants with 9-45-15 starting the 2nd or 3rd week after potting. Use
fertilizer at ½ strength that is approximately ½ teaspoon/gallon.