Garden Mums

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Garden Mums Tony Glover Cullman County Extension Coordinator Thanks to Dr. Kessler – Auburn University Scorpions and Centaurs

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 Presentation

Transcript of Garden Mums

Page 1: Garden Mums

Garden Mums

Tony GloverCullman County Extension Coordinator

Thanks to Dr. Kessler – Auburn UniversityScorpions and Centaurs

Page 2: Garden Mums

Introduction Dendranthema × grandiflora

Traditional fall-flowering pot crop Greenhouse or outdoor container crop

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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!

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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Pinching Artificial way of forcing plants to branch – older

cultivars.

Newer cultivars do not need and these are the only kind to grow.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Any

Questions?