PLANT CULTURE \u2013 Continue to start plants for our public sale in April. Plants must be given protection for the first few months and carefully nurtured to establish strong root systems before potting or repotting. In February, take starts for the early blooming varieties. At this month\u2019s meeting, the focus is growing plants, cultivar selection, materials and your reference books. Cultural recommendations are attached.<\/p>\n
FEBRUARY TO DO LIST. (New: 1-28-06 DRS)<\/p>\n
Continue with cuttings:<\/p>\n
Continue taking cuttings throughout Feb. and into March for some. A few early Feb. cuttings can be available for the March\/April Plant sales (March Members sale at the March meeting and the public plant sale on Sat. April 14th). Most Feb. and March cuttings should be of the early English and American varieties. Late Decoratives, Classes 4, 5, 14 and 15) should be started primarily in Feb. Take cuttings for yourself and for the plant sale. <\/p>\n
Most varieties in classes 1,2 and 3 should have been started by the end of January: however here are some varieties that can be successfully grown from Feb. cuttings. #1 & #2\u2019s Lundy, Yellow Lundy, David Dando, Ralph Lambert, Yellow Ralph Lambert, Athabaska, Harry Gee, Jane Sharpe and Seychelles. #3\u2019s Len Hall, Salmon, Primrose and yellow Fairweathers, Stockton and Heather James.<\/p>\n
Cuttings started directly in the cutting bed media should not require fertilization before potting on. If you are starting in the cross bottom bands or 2\u201d clay pots, fertilizer should be added after 3 to 4 weeks as these cutting generally require 5-6 weeks before potting on. Start fertilizing once a week beginning with the 4th week. Use an early Mum fertilizer, Peters 9-45-15 or Plant Marvel 12-45-10 (One Tsp\/Gal once a week)<\/p>\n
Potting on:<\/p>\n
Most growers are using the soilless M&R potting mix sold by the club. In general no additives are required for the early pottings (2\u201d and 4\u201d pots); however some growers like to add some special ingredients. For instance Alfalfa meal or pellets is a good stimulant that can be added. Avoid adding Bone meal, as you will probably find fungi growing on the top of your pots due to too much potassium.
\n–\tPot the mums directly from the cutting beds into 2\u201d pots, or from the starter bands or pots into 3\u201d or 4\u201d pots.
\n–\tUse new pots, or wash previously used pots with a mild bleach solution (Clorox) to kill moss and eliminate the viruses. When bleach is used thoroughly rinse pots in fresh water to get the bleach out of the pot.
\n–\tClay pots are recommended for the 2\u201d, 3\u201d, 4\u201d and 6\u201d potttings as the clay pots will dry out better than plastic after watering. This is especially important during the cool March and April days.<\/p>\n
–\tPot on from cutting beds when the roots are \u00bd to \u00be in. long (Typically 4 weeks) into 2 \u00bd\u201d or 3\u201d pots.<\/p>\n
–\tPot on from cross bottom bands, or pots when roots are growing thickly out of the pots or bands (Typically 6 weeks). Do not compact the mix!<\/p>\n
–\tPlace the newly potted mums out of the light or under the bench for 2-3 days to stimulate root growth.<\/p>\n
Care:<\/p>\n
–\tShelter mums in the greenhouse, cold frame, or other shelter (Kitchen table or south facing window)
\n–\tTemperature should be between 50 and 60 degrees.
\n–\tGlass overhead will help keep mums from getting leggy.
\n–\tB-9 is a good growth retardant that tends to help plants from getting too leggy. It is available through the club. If you choose to use B-9 it should be applied at the time of potting on and again at or near pinch time. Caution: Do not use B-9 on plants that tend to naturally grow short: i.e. all the Fairweathers, all the Alexis, Port Stanley and others.
\n–\tPlants will remain in this first potting for 4-6 weeks until they have produced a noticeable root ring around the bottom of the pot. Don\u2019t be afraid to knock the root ball out of the pot after several weeks and examine the roots.
\n–\tFertilize with 9-45-15, or 12-45-10 beginning the 4th week
\n (1 Tsp\/Gal once a week) These fertilizers are available through the
\n Club at the monthly meetings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PLANT CULTURE \u2013 Continue to start plants for our public sale in April. Plants must be given protection for the first few months and carefully nurtured to establish strong root systems before potting or repotting. In February, take starts for … Continue reading