garden mums
DESCRIPTION
Garden Mums. Tony Glover Cullman County Extension Coordinator. Thanks to Dr. Kessler – Auburn University. Scorpions and Centaurs. Introduction. Dendranthema × grandiflora Traditional fall-flowering pot crop Greenhouse or outdoor container crop. Cultivars. Scorpions and Centaurs. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Garden Mums
Tony GloverCullman County Extension Coordinator
Thanks to Dr. Kessler – Auburn UniversityScorpions and Centaurs
Introduction Dendranthema × grandiflora
Traditional fall-flowering pot crop Greenhouse or outdoor container crop
Cultivars Garden Mum cultivars
Wide assortment of flower colors and forms Plant shapes and sizes Flowering response (time) in the fall (early, mid, late,
early season extenders, late season extenders) Basic color classifications useful for production and marketing
Yellow, pink, lavender, white Bronze, red, salmon, orange
Production colors Yellow 32% Pink, purple and lavender combined 22% Bronze and Reds at 18% each Salmon at 6% White at 4%
Scorpions and Centaurs
Cultivars Classified by flower form
Shape, number, and arrangement of ray and disk flowers
Daisies, quill, spider, pompon, decoratives among others
Decorative and daisy (eye) by far the most popular
76% and 22% of market, respectively Plant form
From tall and upright to low, spreading mounds Grower strategy
Several good performers in each color group And in each response group; early, mid, late and
season extenders Small trial of new introductions
Flower Form Key
Cushion mums are not a flower form but a name used for early-flowering, low, bushy mums. Most resemble
decorative.
Daisies or Singles mums have daisy-like flowers with yellow centers.
Decorative mums have double or semi-double flowers and usually grow to over 18 inches tall.
Pompon mums have small ball-shaped flowers, on plants that are usually under 18 inches tall.
Spider mums have petals that are long and tubular with hooked ends. Almost spider-like in appearance.
Spoon mums have petals that are spoon shaped.
Quill mums have petals that are straight, long and tubular that resemble a feather quill.
Containers
Knowledge of market key to choosing containers Most production, 8" by 5" black plastic ‘mum pan'
Wider range of sizes and styles desired by retailers Small growers for local sales should go larger
Perceived quality, sales, and profitability Different containers for different markets
Upscale retail: decorative pots, specimen pots Landscape: quart, 1-, or 2-gallon nursery pots Mass market: 4- and 4.5-inch pots Hanging baskets (low spreading cultivars) 2 – 3 gallon black nursery pots or 12- 14” plastic terra cotta
pots
2.5 gal squat nursery pot
Propagation Propagation alternatives
Specialized propagator/breeders Rooted cuttings (most growers)
Shipped bare-root Shipped in cell packs or large plugs
Unrooted cuttings (propagation facilities) Less cost per cutting but more time and control needed
Bare-root a perishable product Pot soon after arrival Root disturbed + shipping = “transplant shock”
Cell packs No transplant shock but “bonzi effect” if delayed
potting Inspected for problems upon arrival!
Growing Media
Many different combinations of components used
Course, loose, and well drained (especially outdoors) First decision
Purchase a commercially prepared mix (start with this option)
Or mix your own (try small numbers with this option) Contents
Water and nutrient holding component(s) Peat moss and composted bark Inert drainage promoting component(s) Perlite, sand, vermiculite pH of 5.7-6.2 using dolomitic limestone Micronutrient – most mixes have
Planting Rooted cuttings planted mid June
Plant in 18 count landscaper trays
Planted shallow with roots just covered Plant in moist mix, water soon after potting Fertilize 200-250 ppm nitrogen, 20-20-20, immediately Do not let transplants wilt Fertilize twice weekly Grow in trays until foliage starts to crowd and plant is
well rooted (about 3 weeks)
Growing Area Growing area choices -
outdoor area Full sun, as level as
possible Black plastic or gravel
weed control Abundant, dependable,
high quality water supply Avoid light pollution
(delay flowering) Night lighting from street
lights Security lights Busy street with frequent
automobile lights
Spacing
Space in straight rows with ample room for growth Space determined by pot size and
irrigation method 6" pots, 12-15" apart 8" pots, 18-24" apart 12-14” or 2-3 gal pots, 24-30" apart
Irrigation
Garden Mums require plentiful amounts of water! Not a simple task in summer
Outdoors, weather can play a large part
Rain reduces irrigation need so pay attention
Hot, dry weather increases irrigation - da
Media allowed to dry only slightly between watering
Garden Mums should not be allowed to wilt (until near maturity)
Summer heat - multiple watering per day (normally 2)
Irrigation Some form of automatic watering system
Once plants placed at final spacing outdoors Overhead sprinkler-type watering systems
Many growers use Waste a lot of water Poor watering uniformity Keep the foliage wet for extended periods
Microtube systems More expensive Greater uniformity Less wasted water Keeps foliage and flowers dry System must be ‘designed' for the area
Fertilizer Large quantities of fertilizer during vegetative
growth Supply ample nutrition beginning the day of potting Strategy
Constant 200-250 ppm N, complete N-P-K fertilizer (min 3 times per week)
20-20-20 (first 2-3 weeks), 20-10-20 (next several weeks) Finish
Constant 125-150 ppm N or 200-250 twice weekly 13-2-13 or 15-5-15 Cal-Mag (can just keep using 20-10-20
and cut back frequency) When flower buds begin to show color you may stop
Weekly application use higher rates, 400-500 ppm N
Fertilizer Benefits of slow-release fertilizer (14-14-14)
6-9 month release formulation safer avoid 3-4 month release
May be mixed with media or top dress Often more beneficial as top dress
Follow manufacturers recommendation rate Sometimes beneficial in extreme rainy summers Soil test and tissue analysis once a month
E.C. 1.5-2.0 mmhos/cm (2:1 extraction) Should not exceed 2.5
Pinching Artificial way of forcing plants to branch – older
cultivars.
Newer cultivars do not need and these are the only kind to grow.
Pre-mature Budding Garden Mum cuttings
Can, at times, set flower buds prematurely May arrive from propagator prematurely budded Causes
Low temperatures Stress from under watering Low fertilizer levels Inadvertent exposure to the incorrect photoperiod
Not usually a problem Usually part of the self pinching growth habit
Cultural practices get active vegetative growth Plenty of water, fertilizer, light and space to grow
Plant Growth Retardant Growth rate and final height varies among
cultivars Some growth regulation beneficial to most
cultivars B-Nine is PGR of choice on garden mums
7 days after transplanting you may use foliar spray at 1200 - 2500 ppm to shorten internodes
Do not apply after flower buds visible Can reduce flower size
Benefits Reduces final plant height Intensify dark green color of foliage Results in a more rounded, uniform crop However – not always needed and has risk
Florel
Florel as pinching agent and PGR Apply early at 500 ppm Final application 6-7 wks prior to flowering Benefits
Stimulating lateral branching Controlling stem elongation Encouraging vegetative growth
Drawbacks Slight delay in flowering (spread marketing season ) Late application can abort flower buds
Photoperiod
Quantitative (facultative) short-day plants Eventually flower under any daylength, faster
under short days Critical day length for most cultivars 13½-14½
hrs. Some cultivars initiate earlier and others later in season Most cultivars have a response time of 6-9 wks Amount of time from beginning of short-days to flower
Cultivars can be classified by response groups Outdoor Production: E=early, M=mid, L=late season,
ESE=Early season extenders, LSE=Late season extenders
Photoperiod
Temperature modifies the photoperiodic response Critical day length decreases as the night temperature
increases Above about 72° to 74°F
Consequence Flower initiation delayed when night temperatures
warmat the beginning of short-day conditions
Flowering will be later in the season Crop may bloom later or earlier from one year to the
next
Scheduling Variations occur due to
Cultivar response group Final plant size desired Cultural practices Environmental factors Market needs influence scheduling
Smaller plants in smaller containers Shorter production schedule (cuttings planted later) Larger plants in larger containers Longer production schedule (cuttings planted earlier)
Propagation time 10-14 days for unrooted cuttings
Scheduling
Establish a system of record keeping Each cultivar, container size, potting date Major production steps, soil mix, nutrients, PGR, etc. Date when plants were ready for market Colors/Flower types most desired Use accumulated information to make needed
changes for more precisely planned crop next year
Diseases
Bacterial leaf spot Dark-brown to black water-soaked lesions on ½ of
leaf Typically begins on lower leaves, spreads upward Favored by moisture on leaves, high humidity, high temperature, growing susceptible cultivars
Septoria leaf spot Small yellow spots on foliage, later turn dark brown
or black Leaves may fall off or remain on stem Spread by splashing water Avoid overhead irrigation
Diseases
Pythium/Phytophthora Root rot disease causing brown or dark gray lesions Wilting of the foliage, especially during the day Avoid plant stress; drought episode, over watering, High salts Inject fungicides as drench
Botrytis Infect leaves / flowers under high humidity Avoid overhead watering, water early in day Space plants for good air circulation
Insects Insects/mites (systemic such as Imidacloprid)
Green peach, melon, chrysanthemum aphid Feeds on young growth and flower buds Plant stunting, wilting, leaf yellowing and leaf curl Sticky honeydew serves as medium for black
sooty mold Chrysanthemum and serpentine leaf miners
Adult females puncture leaf and lay eggs inside Eggs hatch larvae that tunnel causing white,
twisting mines Disfigure the leaves and reduce marketability
Insects
Two-spotted spider mite Feed on underside of leaves, sucking plant sap Tiny yellow speckles on upper leaf surface Favored by dry, warm conditions
Common and western flower thrips Feed on young leaves and flowers Deformed flower buds, bud abortion, petal
streaking Silvery-appearance to leaves
A number of caterpillars Adult female moths lay eggs, larvae hatch Eats leaves, stems and flowers
Costs of Production Knowledge of productions costs essential
Variable costs
Incurred directly during the production
Pots, plants, potting media and chemicals
Fixed costs
Incurred whether or not the crop is produced
Include “shrinkage”
Percent of crop not marketable or lost due to pest/disease
Variable costs (adjust for shrinkage) + fixed cost = total cost
Any
Questions?