Chrysanthemum - Charm Chrysanthemums

The growing of these eye catching pot plants will give great satisfaction to all growers of Chrysanthemums, be they novice or expert.
It is remarkable that a single seed will produce in eight months, a plant up to 3 foot across with a height of 18 to 24 inches, depending on the size of the pot. The plant can have as many as 1000 scented blooms. They come in a colour range of white, yellow, pink bronze,and crimson. If the same colour is required it is necessary to take cuttings, as seeds do not come true to the parent plant .
Seed should be planted in late June to early August. Bottom heat is an advantage, although not essential. The resultant seedlings are then pricked out into pans or trays, using fine grade vermiculite in the seed mix. They are then potted on into tubes or small 2 inch pots and then progressively through to 8-9-or 10inch pots depending on the final size required for the plant. When plants are 6 inches high, stop them by pinching out the growing points. This will create secondary growth from the base of the plant. Shaping can be achieved by using a very sharp pair of thin shears and evenly clipping all round to produce a perfect ball shape It must be carried out with great care during the growth of the plant..Some growers omit this shaping procedure allowing the plant to grow naturally giving a much looser shape.
Support for the plant will be necessary at the later stages due to the weight, and size of plant. Regular spraying for the eradication of pests is carried out weekly.
Foliar spraying throughout the growing season is vital to produce a top class plant. this approach will ensure that the nutrients are not leached out of the pot soil. One application of either Osmacote or Nitrophoska, six month slow release fertiliser, should be sufficient for the pot at the the first stop. One application of systemic granules assists in keeping the plant free of pests. Foliar spaying can be done either daily or weekly, diluting down to the correct strength as required. This will ensure a complete food for the plants during the whole growing season. High nitrogen content is essential in the first 12 weeks of spraying adjusting to high potash in the final weeks.

	CHARMS by George Harrington
GROWING POTTED CHARMS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA The growing of these eye catching pot plants will give great satisfaction to all growers of Chrysanthemums, be they novice or expert. It is remarkable that a single seed will produce in eight months, a plant up to 3 foot across with a height of 18 to 24 inches, depending on the size of the pot. The plant can have as many as 1000 scented blooms. They come in a colour range of white, yellow, pink bronze,and crimson. If the same colour is required it is necessary to take cuttings, as seeds do not come true to the parent plant . Seed should be planted in late June to early August. Bottom heat is an advantage, although not essential. The resultant seedlings are then pricked out into pans or trays, using fine grade vermiculite in the seed mix. They are then potted on into tubes or small 2 inch pots and then progressively through to 8-9-or 10inch pots depending on the final size required for the plant. When plants are 6 inches high, stop them by pinching out the growing points. This will create secondary growth from the base of the plant. Shaping can be achieved by using a very sharp pair of thin shears and evenly clipping all round to produce a perfect ball shape It must be carried out with great care during the growth of the plant..Some growers omit this shaping procedure allowing the plant to grow naturally giving a much looser shape. Support for the plant will be necessary at the later stages due to the weight, and size of plant. Regular spraying for the eradication of pests is carried out weekly. Foliar spraying throughout the growing season is vital to produce a top class plant. this approach will ensure that the nutrients are not leached out of the pot soil. One application of either Osmacote or Nitrophoska, six month slow release fertiliser, should be sufficient for the pot at the the first stop. One application of systemic granules assists in keeping the plant free of pests. Foliar spaying can be done either daily or weekly, diluting down to the correct strength as required. This will ensure a complete food for the plants during the whole growing season. High nitrogen content is essential in the first 12 weeks of spraying adjusting to high potash in the final weeks.