hi ti Sd ~4 CIRCULAR 202 4VEMBElk 1972 Vt x I A AGRICULTURAL AUBURN EXPERIMENT STATION' UNIVERSITY R. Dennis Rouse, DirectorAuburn, A bama KEY TO VARIETIES ON PAGES 6-7 White Grandchild Festive Cushion Boldface Roll Call Scarleteer Tranquility Raggedy Ann Mango Fantasy Pancho Lovely Nook Cushion FIRST PRINTING 6M, NOVEMBER 1972 Evaluation of Garden Chrysanthemums for Alabama W. C. MARTIN, JR., and HENRY P. ORR' THE GARDEN OR HARDY CHRYSANTHEMUM, aristocrat of the fall garden, is an old flower with numerous landscape uses. Today there are many new forms, colors, and varieties that have longer bloom life and varying growth habits. Since chrysanthemum flowering is regulated by daylength, one purpose of this study was to determine date of flowering in central Alabama and to identify varieties that would give the maximum landscape display before a killing frost. Information was also needed on height and spread of plants at maturity for proper landscape use. Some 175 varieties were tested at Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station during 1959-71. CULTURE Plants for this study were obtained annually from a commercial establishment specializing in rooted chrysanthemum cuttings. 2 These rooted cuttings were established in containers and later transplanted to the garden area. This permitted greater use of the garden beds for colorful rotation of seasonal flowering plants. One rooted cutting was planted per 4-inch container in midJune. These were grown in the greenhouse until transplanted to beds in the garden in late July. Since chrysanthemums need a slightly acid (pH 6.0-6.5), well drained soil containing at least 30 per cent organic matter, a mixture of equal parts sandy loam soil, peat, and perlite was used for growing plants for the study. To adjust the pH and supply phosphorus, 7 pounds of dolomitic lime and 2 pounds of 20 per cent superphosphate were incorporated per cubic yard of potting mixture. Adequate nutrient levels were maintained throughout the growing season to ensure quality plants. Liquid application of water soluble fertilizers was found to be the most satisfactory method of fertilizing the container-grown plants. The first application of fertilizer was made with the second watering after Instructor and Professor, Department of Horticulture. used in the study were donated by Fred C. Gloeckner Co., Inc., and Yoder Brothers, Inc. 2 Plants cuttings were planted. A complete water soluble fertilizer, such as 20-20-20, was applied at 1 ounce to 5 gallons of water initially. Then every 10 to 14 days thereafter, the plants were fertilized at the rate of 1 ounce to 3 gallons of water. Care was also taken to keep the plants supplied with adequate moisture at all times. They were never allowed to dry to the point of wilting. Growing compact plants with a maximum number of flowers requires periodic pinching. This consists of removing the growing tip (the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch) of each shoot. The first pinch was made 10 to 14 days after planting. Thereafter, as the new shoots reached 2-3 inches in length their tips were removed. The last pinch was made no later than August 15 to assure proper flower initiation and development. A typical schedule for pinching is: Plant - June 15 First pinch - June 25-29 Second pinch - July 16-20 Last pinch - August 6-10 Before planting the container-grown plants in the garden, beds were prepared by incorporating a 2- to 3-inch layer of peat into the upper 6 to 8 inches of soil. A soil test was made to determine the pH and fertility requirements. Dolomitic lime was added as required to adjust the pH. Generally a complete fertilizer, such as 8-8-8 or 12-6-6, was incorporated at the rate of 2-3 pounds per 100 square feet prior to planting. Additional applications of a complete fertilizer at the same rate, applied as a topdressing and watered in, were made at 3- to 4-week intervals until the plants developed flower color. Mulching around the plants with a 2-inch layer of pine straw, rotted sawdust, or similar material was helpful in controlling weeds and conserving soil moisture. Spacing depended largely on growth habit of the plant. Varieties that tended to grow upright and produce few branches when pinched were spaced 15 to 18 inches apart. These were usually taller growing varieties, which occasionally needed staking to prevent them from falling over. Short growing, more compact varieties that produced numerous branches when pinched required 18 to 24 inches between plants. Height and spread of varieties are given in the table. VARIETY EVALUATION Many varieties of chrysanthemums have been tested in the collection gardens of Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station. Evaluation of these varieties was based on evenness of [41 color, flowering, retention of flowerfull effectsturdiness and strength of stems, date of flowering for before frost, andoverall appearance of the plants in full flower. The most varieties tested for landscape and garden use are listed in the table, along with approximate bloom dates, plant size, flower color, and flower type. Less desirable varieties tested, which are still available from commercial sources, are listed in Appendix B. MOST OUTSTANDING CHRYSANTHEMUM VARIETIES AND GARDEN USE IN ALABAMA, TESTED FOR LANDSCAPE outstanding 1959-71 Variety Date first flower Date full flower 16 9 20 17 Hih Heght, Spread, inches inches 17 23 18 22 16 18 23 14 19 19 22 16 23 17 22 22 18 27 13 15 17 13 17 18 15 19 16 22 20 25 16 22 22 18 22 20 22 22 32 15 22 15 20 24 20 20 18 17 22 24 22 23 Flower color white white white white white white Flower type decorative decorative pompon spoonpetalleddecorative decorative decorative White Chris Columbus .Oct. 9 Oct. Corsage Cushion ___Sept. 29 Oct. Diamond-- ___Oct. 10 Oct. JessamineWilliams. Oct. 10 Oct. Larry -- - - - Minnwhite Raggedy Ann - - Sept. 28 Oct. 10 ___Sept. 17 Oct. 3 *Oct. 11 Oct. 20 white Sleigh Ride White Grandchild Yellow Alert ---- --- --Chiquita-_ - ---Sept. - Sept. 29 Oct. 9 24 Oct. 6 white white lemon yellow deep yellow yellow yellow yellow yellow yellow yellow yellow yellow feathered decorative daisy pompon pompon button button small fuji feathered decorative decorative pompon spoon decorative decorative Oct. 13 Oct. 26 Oct. 5 Oct. 18 Early Gold Golden Sept. 21 Sept. 29 Gay Blade_________ ____Oct. 17 Oct. 27 Oct. Fantasy----- ____ 6 Oct. 16 Oct. Tranquility__ ____ Kings Oct. Sunburst -_Oct. Golden Ransom-_-__. Cushion 6 9 6 Sept. 24 Tranquility-------- ___ Sept. 27 Yellow Minnpink_-Red-Bronze Oct. 14 Commander Cushion i__ Dolli-Ette----_ ____ Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. 15 16 15 7 5 Oct. 24 ___ Sept. 28 Oct. 16 Falcon---------- -. *Oct. 4 Festive Oct. 16 Cushion ---Oct. 1 Oct. 12 Dolli------- Grand Lovely z Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Nook ---- _- *Oct. 14 Oct. 22 ___Oct. 4 Oct. 10 Minneh a --------- pompon deep bronze golden spoon bronze orange- anemone bronze decorative redbronze orange- spoon bronze button redbronze pompon decorative coralbronze Continued on page 8 [5] r t 'A ( F. w A I 3 .A6 a)1 &-., y1. a w f - N 4t, ~; N p ti gam/ ' Ali' MOST OUTSTANDING CHRYSANTHEMUM VARIETIES FOR LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN USE IN ALABAMA, TESTED 1959-71 Variety Date first flower Date full flower Height, ice ice 18 14 16 16 19 Spread, nhs nhs 21 18 20 17 20 23 25 16 22 23 Flower clr clr goldenbronze orangebronze orangebronze goldenbronze apricotbronze orangered maroonred deep red crimson red intense scarlet Flower tp tp anemone pompon decorative hutton pompon Red-Bronze continued Newgo Sept. 29 Oct. 9 Pancho Roll Call Spunky Z onta Red Lawrence Blaney Red Red Oct. 1 _Oct. 6 Oct. 3 Oct. 9 Oct. 13 Oct. 12 Sept. 23 Oct. 5 Sept. 29 Oct. 9 Oct. 5 Oct. 17 Oct. 18 Oct. 26 24 22 11 18 19 17 11 21 18 23 14 18 10 15 decorativ decorativ daisy pompon iv jv Desert Mischief Ruby Mound -Sept. 10 Oct. 10 jv Scarleteer Pink and Purple Ann Ladygo Cameo Corvair __Oct. 8 _Oct. 10 -Sept. Oct. 15 decorativ 3v Oct. 16 24 13 19 20 26 22 17 17 light pink pastel pink light pink deep pink salmon pink light pink deep lavender pink pink anemone 25 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 decorativ button decorativ pompon decorativ anemone Oct. 9 42 Fuchsia Fairy Joybringer_______ Major Cushion__ M ango--------Miunpink______M ischief ______-_ *Oct. 12 Oct. 26 Oct. 11 Oct. 20 Oct. 4 Oct. 1 Oct. 17 Oct. 12 Oct. 16 Oct. 4 Oct. 16 Oct. 26 decoratP daisy 25 deep pink with yellow Raspberry Ice___ Rosey Oct. 13 Oct. 27 Sept. 24 Oct. 6 Sept. 28 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 30 18 16 15 19 26 22 18 20 19 Nook__--_ Waters raspberry pink pink pompon button pompon anemone Le Tango---------Purple Tinker _-_ Bell----_. ___ Sept. 23 Oct. 5 [8] deep lavender pink pompon deep purple pompon intense purple APPENDIX A Flower Types Botanically, the chrysanthemum belongs to a large genus of annuals and perennials in the Compositae family - each head or false flower being formed from an aggregate of ray and disk flowers. The disk flowers make up the center of the head and are usually small and tubular in shape. The ray flowers surrounding the disk flowers are petal-like, are usually more colorful, and are generally called petals. There are many types of flowers. The National Chrysanthemum Society has classified the flower types as follows:1 DESCRIPTION OF CHRYSANTHEMUM BLOOM TYPES DIvIsIoN A. (CLASSES 1-8) Properties of the division: Ray florets flattened to concave or convex, visible portions never tubular. Section I. (Classes 1-3) Properties of the section: Disk prominent, circular in outline, composed of many disk florets. Class 1. Single: Ray florets in a single row at right angles to the stem. Disk flat to slightly rounded and may be of contrasting color. Class 2. Semi-double: Ray florets in more than one row at right angles to the stem but may curve downward at the tips. Disk as in Class 1. Class 3. Anemone: Ray florets variable, from flattened, broad, and equal in length to reflexing, pointed at the tip, and unequal in length. Disk florets are numerous, tube-like, and elongated so as to form a prominent disk that may range from flat to hemispherical in form. Section II. (Classes 4-8) Properties of the section: Disk must not be apparent. Disk florets, if present in the center or scattered over the receptacle, must be concealed. Disk florets may be entirely absent. Class 4. Pompon: Bloom globular, somewhat flat in young stage or in small button types. Ray florets incurved, broad, smooth, and firm with good substance. Class 5. Incurve: Breadth and depth should be equal to produce a globular bloom. Ray florets narrow to broad, smooth, and incurve in a regular to an irregular manner without producing an open center. Class 6. Reflexing incurve: Ray florets usually broad and smooth. Breadth and depth nearly equal to form a globular bloom, sometimes flattened, may be less compact than the incurve. All mature florets not completely incurving and not all completely reflexed. The lower florets reflexing sometimes to give a skirted effect. National Chrysanthemum Society, Inc. U.S.A. Show and Judges' Handbook. [9] Class 7. Decorative: Ray florets from short and broad to narrow, long and pointed; they generally reflex although upper florets may tend to incurve. Blooms more flattened than globular. Class 8. Reflex: Bloom globular with equal breadth and depth and a full center or somewhat flattened. Ray florets narrow to broad, gracefully overlapping in either a regular or irregular manner, and reflexed. DIviSION B. (CLASSES 9-11) Properties of the division: Ray florets tubular; coiled or straight; threadlike to coarse; closed, spatulate, flattened, or hooked at the distal end. Class 9. Spoon: Ray florets regular and tubular, usually straight, distal portion open, flattened, and spoon-like. Disk must be apparent with form as in Class 1 or 3. Class 10. Quill: Ray florets tubular, straight, and not coiled; may be either closed to tip and pointed or open and spatulate. The bloom is fully double; disk must not be visible. Class 11. Spider: Ray florets long and tubular, very fine to coarse, and may assume a wide variety of direction. Distal portion of the florets may be closed or open, and spatulate tips show definite coils or hooks. Disk must not be obvious. The following subclasses are suggested for large shows, particularly variety shows. 1la. Thread-like ray florets. llb. Fine ray florets. llc. Medium ray florets. lld. Coarse tubed and flat ray florets. DIVISION C. (CLASSES 12-13) Properties of the division: Ray florets flattened or tubular. Disk may or may not be obvious. Class 12. Laciniated: Ray florets may be laciniated or feathered at tips. Bloom form may be any of classes 1 through 11. Class 13. Brush or thistle-like: Ray florets are fine tubes grown almost parallel to the stem in a brush or thistle-like manner. Disk nearly concealed. Many of these types are represented in garden chrysanthemums - singles, anemones, semi-double or daisy pompons, decoratives, and small headed spoons. These types may be found in small, intermediate, and large sizes. Generally, the large-flowered types are not grown outdoors because of late flowering and disease problems. [10] APPENDIX B OTHER VARIETIES TESTED AND AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL SOURCES 1959-71, AUBURN, ALABAMA Variety Accolade_____ Aztec-- - --- -- Boldface --- - -Bronze Giant Cecelia- - - - - - -Champion Cushion Cheyenne---Charles Nye Cochise-- - --Com et-- - - - - - - Dan FoleyDandy-- - -- - -- - Ethyl Waters Full MoonGolden Cushion Gold Strike Golden Age Grace Bradshaw Huntsman-Jeweltone__John Milbrath Lipstick .-- - - - Marbletop- Martian---- Flower color .________-coral pink _---golden _----- Flower type intermediate decorative decorative pompon large decorative small decorative decorative decorative button decorative ---------orange red ----yellow ---bronze .__________. purple soft ---------bronze -------deep red --------bronze ---------- pink ----------deep yellow --------orange red -________-reddish bronze .________.deep anemone decorative Mikado------MillionaireMojave Gold Mt. HoodMuted Sunshine Newton----Ostosa-- - large semi-incurved intermediate pompon large incurved white ---------decorative -------yellow fully double pompon bright yellow ---------large decorative --------golden yellow decorative w ---------- hite intermediate decorative .________- bronze red small pompon --------salmon pink medium semi-incurved -----yellow decorative ---------bright red anemone --------- white .________primrose yellow decorative cactus formed---------reddish bronze yellow --- .________- pink light --------- w hite -_________- ---------golden bronze light yellow yellow .____----deep decorative decorative large decorative large pompon anemone cactus decorative Peking ------------Pinknificant_________ Pink Spoon Cushion-Powder River------- ---------w hite --------- Princess---------- --Princess Kay________ Pum pkin -----------Purple ---- lavender --------------white light yellow ------ light pink pink intermediate pompon decorative spoon small spoon decorative Princess Ann-______. Radiance-----------R ajab-------------Ram bler------------Sarasota .___________ September Song .. Dusk -_______ ---------deep rose pink --- ------w --------- hite --------orange bronze purple -----------_--_ deep red --------lemon yellow --- ---- red --------- Shining Light .______ Sparking.---- -Touchdown____.__-___ White Cushion.__-_-White Masquerade--_ Yellow Fuji Williams_ Yellow Yellow Joan-Ette----- ------------------- pink light bronze --------rose pink bright yellow Giant_---_--_ pink --------w --------- hite w hite ----------.________clear yellow yellow --------- decorative decorative intermediate decorative semi-incurved decorative pompon intermediate daisy anemone pompon semi-incurved spoon decorative semi-incurved small decorative small pompon fuji decorative lemon yellow -------- fuji [11]1 u A r. a$ ' Evaluating chrysanthemuims in this test garden at Anburn University repr esents a special phase of research by the Agricultural Expeimeant Station. Results of these studies, reported in this p~ublication, should be useful to Alabamians who arec interested in beautify ing home landscapes or public arcas.