From Start to producing Seed to Flowering

The most safe use of insecticides & Fungicides
you having proper equipment & clothing is essentiaL
Equipment you need is quality respirator & plastic face mask,
gloves & waterproof clothing including wellington boots. waterproof leggings,
make sure they are over the wellington's & tunic sleeves are over the gloves
Ready to start spraying
I spray all stock plants & once they are rooted start spraying
every plant every 14 days until flowering. Should alternate you insecticide & fungicide
Spraying plants in cold frames, this should done in the morning when weather permits & allow plenty of air circulation, take frost precautions
The selected plants for crossing placed in frame work, notice the corrugated sheets on top
Covered from 6pm to 8am allowing between 12 to 14 hours
Black out removed
These tools you will need
I now have a new type of Magnifying glasses , which are very good and different magnifications
Stamens producing pollen
Harry cross pollinating
Show individual stigma fertilized

Stigmas received pollen

Seed Heads pollinated
I now place my seed heads under the velux window, they like a dry atmosphere whilst drying out, I make sure once the heads are brown no more water in the jars, watch for fungus appearing
Husk showing seed

Fongarid this tip was given me by Dr Barry Machin, many years ago
Perfect for preventing rotting of seed & cuttings
this is very good fungicide. I have had Fongarid for years.
I am not sure if it's available now.


I use Fongarid teaspoonful to 1b jam jar top up with water as stock solution then 60 mls to 2 gallons of water
Sterlised

 

 


   
Germination of seed
Seedling pricked into trays
Three weeks later

Showing 99.9% rooting of seedlings

Mole hills are sterlised by Pat's old Microwave. This take 3/4 of average plastic bag, well worth the time & effort

 

These seed trays are BEF trays over 35 years old
Once they are removed from the propagating bench
allowed to get acclimatised to the greenhouse for 3 to 4 days then into 3.5 pots

 

I use 3.5 square plastic pots which ideal for the mushroom trays, I have these BEF pots over 35 years old & still going strong
Harry inspecting seedlings
Seedlings into 3.5 Square Pots


 

Growing nicely these will be potted into 5" pots when ready
Seedlings by the hundreds
notice white emulsion paint sides on greenhouse
white reflects light
Now into 5" pots in greenhouse
5" pots in cold frame to harden off, notice white lime wash on sides of frames

These are 2009 seedlings
I grow these one up


This is my new Tunnel
I bought this last year so that I can manage it with help of Pat & my Son.
I have now put in three portable paths so that I can get around the plants
It takes 120 plants


Opposite view of
tunnel


I find once the majority are in flower the cover is placed on it with the help of three people is easy
it takes roughly 45 minutes


Showing new shading, this was made to measure.
Material is linen




Another view


7" bud bag

 


In final bag & is held in place by 2 canes either side & spring pegs & date when it should of reached matruity


Cocked head

Ways to straight cocked head
   

 

 

 

Page 2

If you want to start breeding, I would recommend you start with late flowering singles more

Read all about the different varieties more

National Chrysanthemum Society

Have shown my new cover on Seed To flower
click here

 


 

 


Readers comments about my book click

 
 

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Chrysanthemum lovers from all over the world click for here for the websites

New
My tips on tying & Automatic watering of plants & Transporting Blooms & Staging Late National Show 2007 more