Chrysanthemum

Plant garden varieties in late spring once risk of frost has passed. Plant in any fertile, well drained garden soil in full sun. For florists' varieties, early flowering outdoor types, plant rooted cuttings in potting compost in a 10cm deep box and move it to a cold frame in mid spring to harden off. Move to a growing postion in full sun in late spring, watering in well. For planting of late flowering indoor varieties, this depends upon when the cuttings were rooted. For cuttings rooted by mid-spring, pot into 9cm pots and move to 13cm pots 4 weeks later. Pot cuttings rooted in late spring into 9cm pots and these can be moved to 25cm pots in early summer. Stop plants raised from cuttings taken in early or mid-spring about 10 days after final potting. Allow up to 9 shoots per plant. Plants taken from cuttings in late spring should be stopped and up to 5 of the resulting side-shoots retained per plant. For pot plants, pot in the same way as late flowering indoor florists' varieties.

All chrysanthemums can be propagated by cuttings taken from the stool - the cluster of shoots that arise from the rootstock at the base of the plant. Dip the bottom half inch of the cutting in rooting hormone powder and insert in pots containing a mix of half peat and half sand. Water in thoroughly and provide a bottom temperature of at least 15C. Cover with polythene untill they have rooted which can take 3 weeks.

Chrysanthemums flower from late Summer through to mid Autumn