Getting Chrysanths Ready To Exhibit

It’s all about prepping and preening plants to make sure you get the best blooms for the shows

John Peace (early chrysanths)

By now all of the early-flowering plants are in bud and starting to show colour. If you’re growing in the ground under a frame or tunnel you should be putting covers on, whether that be polythene or plastic corrugated sheeting. If growing in pots, move the plants into the greenhouse. In the greenhouse the plants will benefit from a coat of glasshouse shading paint to protect them from the harsh sun.

Continue to keep the plot and pots free of weeds and keep the plants well watered – don’t let them dry out. Remember no feed now that they’re showing colour, just water. Make sure that your plants are secured to the canes, to prevent any snapping off. Watch out for earwigs as they can do a lot of damage, eating into the petals. I pour a little paraffin down the holes of the canes, because this is where they usually hide.