We have been supplying Chrysanthemums

Rooted cuttings since 1928. Our range now includes over 215 varieties which can be used for Cut Flowers, Exhibiting or Garden Display. Chrysanthemum Rooted Cuttings are supplied Nationwide via our Mail Order Service, or may be collected. The cuttings are available from end February to June depending on the growing facilities you have available.

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                                                                       One of our Chrysanthemum stock plant houses Jan 2007

Culture                                              

Early flowering Chrysanthemums are by no means fussy in their requirements, but careful attention to detail cannot be over emphasised. Like Dahlias they will perform better in an open position in well drained soil. A month or two before planting, sprinkle the surface with 25-50g (1-2oz) of lime per square metre and work in. Just prior to lanting, a good balanced fertiliser should be forked in at the rate prescribed by the manufacturer – it is not wise to exceed the recommended rate.

Planting out should not be carried out until the end of April in the southern counties and not before mid May in the Midlands, North and Scotland. Plants received from us before 1st May should be put into 10-12.5cm (4” to 5”) pots or planted into boxes and placed under glass, or better still, planted into a cold frame 15cm (6”) apart and gradually hardened off. These transplanted plants will lift with a good ball of soil and establish quickly. Plants received after May1st should be either potted up or planted into boxes for a week or two prior to planting in their flowering positions. Plant firmly about 45cm (18”) apart using a trowel taking care not to damage the tender root hairs. Stake with bamboo canes and tie up at once. Failure to do this may result in broken plants later.

Growing on - While growth proceeds keep ground free from weeds, and see that tying is carried out as necessary. All types of plant respond well to a balanced feed applied at rates prescribed by the manufacturer. During hot, dry conditions it is essential to water the plants well, preferably in the evening, to keep them growing strongly, but be careful to avoid over watering. This is particularly important for young plants. Keep a careful check on plants to avoid any pest or disease outbreaks.

“Stopping” is the act of removing the growing tip of the plant, whether they be blooms or sprays, to encourage the earlier production of side shoots which will in turn bear the flowers. For exhibition purposes the timing of stopping is fairly critical as varieties vary in the length of time they take from being stopped to producing a perfect bloom.e.g. The“Chessington“ family need to be“stopped” approx 2nd week April to have blooms at maturity for a mid-September show where as the “Courtier” family would be“stopped” in 2nd week of May. For shows earlier than mid September the stopping date would need to be brought forward. As a guide we have produced a stopping key on page 16 which should assist in the timing of blooms for mid September shows. “Stopping” is best done when the plants are 10-15cm (4-6”) tall and is the simple act of pinching out the growing tip. If there are signs that the plant is already forming a bud then it is of paramount importance to cut back to perhaps less than 10cm (4”) to remove the budding tendency. Once “stopped” the plant will be encouraged to produce side shoots. When these are about 5cm (2”) long and blooms are required for the show bench it is best to remove the weaker ones to leave 2, 3 or 4 shoots.

For Spray Chrysanthemums and blooms for garden use, as many as eight side shoots can be supported but flower size will be resultantly smaller. At this stage, spray 

chrysanthemums can be left to develop naturally.

Disbudding is only required when growing blooms. As soon as growths appear in the leaf axis of the side shoots they should be removed, leaving only the main bud on each shoot. Take care not to damage the main stems when performing this operation. When flowers are ready for cutting, do this in the morning or early evening to avoid hot sunny conditions. To help flowers last longer in the vase, we suggest that when cut, dip the lower 5cm (2”) of the stem into boiling water for about 15 seconds then plunge immediately into cold water. You will find they last much longer.

Catalogues are automatically sent to all previous seasons customers.

An advance list is sent end August and our Main Catalogue for CHRYSANTHEMUMS and DAHLIAS is sent between Christmas and New Year.

VISITORS ARE WELCOME to visit the CHRYSANTHEMUM and DAHLIA FIELDS which are open during the flowering season usually end August - frosts.

THIS IS AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY to view the Early flowering Chrysanthemum Blooms, Sprays and Hardy Garden Mums before deciding what to order.

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