Chrysanthemums

[Martin H]

CG, the only Chrysanthemums I have grown from seed are the annual types. It was many years ago but I remember they grew and flowered ok but didn't make very big plants. I was growing them for cutting but with them having short stems I didn't bother again.

I'd get the seeds in now and see what happens!

[Containergardener]

Thanks Martin

[Martin H]

The large-flowered ones I set out on my allotment sulked when I first planted them but are now growing away nicely. Here's a picture from last week (21st May):



It's time I attacked the volunteer potatoes and weeded those paths, though!

[Containergardener]

Some of my chrysanthemums (polar star, sunset and summer festival) sown the other day are germinating

[Martin H]

My Chrysanth bed is coming along really well now. A couple of varieties have got flower buds on already!

Today I went along the rows and tied all the breaks to the cane before the wind snaps them off. Then I "secured the bud" on the ones that are thinking of flowering.

How's everybody else getting on?

[Ryez]

My chrysanthemums arrived today. I ordered them from Woolmans 12 days ago. Got 'Lilac Chessington', 'Dorridge Crystal', 'Laser'. They are a late flowering variety. Looking healthy.



Potted them in 20cm pots. Will let them grow a bit and then plant them (with the pots) in the back garden bed.

I've enjoyed reading this thread and I hope to figure out how to care for them....

ps: I also got some Chrysanthemum seed delivered from China... but I think it's too late to plant seed, right?

[Martin H]

They look like nice healthy plants, Ryez!

What are you going to do with them later in the year? Will you be lifting the pots to bring them under cover?

I've got a couple of late ones, they are planted out with the earlies in the allotment. My plan is to pot them up early November and bring them home to the cold greenhouse, hopefully to flower by Christmas.

For the seed, I dunno. Assuming they are annual Chrysanths I would probably leave them until next spring. Although if there's enough in the packet I might try a few now just to see what they do, might get some flowers before the frosts come!

[Scarlet]

They are looking great martin! Mine seem to be on a go slow and Ive a serious ant attack they are smothered in them. Ive a few varieties going...but Im most excited about my Christmas flowering ones (possibly due to the ant infestation ) Im keeping the late varieties in pots. Ive three fantasy varieties that I had from last year but Ive also got a green variety...name escapes me...i'm going to dig them in the ground outside to stop them falling over and help with the watering and keep them in their pots when I move them back in. I made the mistake last year of digging them in my borders in the GH.

Ryez, I would keep those seeds for next year.

Just for my info next year, as I'm rubbish at keeping records.
My green variety is -Anastasia, dark green. Flowering in Nov.

[Martin H]

Actually Ryez, your three are September flowering ("Early" in the jargon), same as most of mine. They should be done before the weather turns too bad. No need for a greenhouse

Personally I would take them out of the pots and plant them in the ground to let them spread their roots out. Dig them up, or cut them down and give them some protection, once they are over, probably before Christmas.

[Scarlet]

You got in before me Martin!

[Martin H]

Two replies, two opinions

[Scarlet]

Two replies, two opinions

Well last year I did the fantasy ones the same as the others...they were really hard to dig up (for me) the roots were really big so I had to dig them into the borders. I spoke to a chrysanths grower at a flower show and he advised put them into buckets, dig them into the ground outside, a third of the way in to aid with watering and come October move them into the greenhouse.

The earlier flowering varieties Ive got planted out the same as you....ive just checked them, they are now covered in black fly

[Guest]

My new ones this year are planted out and look good. My cuttings off last years plants are dubious. I have lost 3 out of the 6 plants I had last year. Two delistar types (I wasn't able to take cuttings) and I think chempak red I have been a bit rubbish as I haven't even stopped any this year. Will just have to see how it goes

[Ryez]

Thank you so much for the advice!!!! I appreciate it. I am also in two minds on whether I should plant them in the pots or directly in the ground. I am going to leave them in the 20cm pots for now so they grow stronger and can survive my cat and dog stepping all over the flower bed... then when they become pot-bound I guess I should move them on!

[Ryez]

ps: It is late to plant seeds, but yeah could try with the heated propagator and see how it goes, it's going to be a warm summer and I really want to see what these seeds, the Chinese send me, are...! The picture was definitely wrong... but if they are "rainbow Chrysanthemum" they will be very pretty.