Colourful chrysanthemums

Chrysanths put on a beautiful display in the garden – and also make stunning show blooms. Bernard Mentoor of Johannesdal tells us more about his passion for cultivating ‘mums’.

- Marie Esterhuyse

Bernard Mentoor cultivates the most beautiful show chrysanthemums on his property in Johannesdal, just beyond the Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch. His hobby not only gives him a great sense of joy, it makes his wife Anne happy too. “Because he is at home all day and the flowers keep him busy in his retirement!” she says with a smile.

Bernard first became acquainted with these striking blooms at the age of 22, and it was Anne who ‘planted the seed’, so to speak. “We were still dating when she introduced me to friends who were propagating chrysanths. I had never even heard of them,” he recalls.

Those friends encouraged Bernard to try his hand at growing mums and gave him a few as a gift. “My first blooms were small and not a success at all. But then later while working in Stellenbosch, I met some people who were exhibiting chrysanths. I was gifted some more plants and a year later I was very chuffed to produce huge flowers.” That was in 1964.

Accolades

By 1965, Bernard was exhibiting his first chrysanthemums, yet awards eluded him for many years. “A friend told me to stop trying. But I was passionate about the plants – it wasn’t just about getting the top spot in a show. In 1972, I won my first award and from then on there was no stopping me. I have made a clean sweep at quite a few shows since then!” he says.