Plant Answers

Chrysanthemums and Gladiolus

Chrysanthemums in the spring? Well, they're certainly not blooming yet, but if you expect flowers this fall you had better take action now.

Garden mums don't bloom until fall because they're light sensitive—when days get shorter and nights longer in September, the vegetation stops growing and they begin flowering. However, if you wait until fall to plant, plants will bloom when too small. Right now, when the plant is in a foliage production mode, you should give some thought to clump division, new plantings and general plant care.

If you have established beds and haven't divided the clumps for two years, thin them now. Mums divided regularly are more vigorous. Divisions may be used to expand beds or start new ones.

Buy new or different varieties as small, established plants from your local garden center for planting from April to late May.

Spring planting allows you to groom and care for the plants through the summer in order to obtain a stronger plant and, consequently more flowers in the fall. Plants in full bud may be purchased and planted in early fall, in case you have a small garden or you don't care to work with them all summer.

Set plants at same depth they were grown in the nursery and water thoroughly. Follow this with regular plant care—watering and insect protection. The general range of garden pests, such as aphids, thrips, mites and leaf miners, will bother mums. The same pesticides that work on roses and other spring flowers will also do the job for your mums.

To develop strong branches and good flowering plans, pinch off about one inch of the stem tip two or three times during the growing season. Don't pinch after July 15. Start pinching when stems are six to eight inches long and repeat when the new shoots growing from the leaf axils reach four to six inches in length. This will prevent those tall, leggy plants that break over when the flowers start to show color.

Fertilize every three to four weeks and provide supplemental irrigation during drought periods. If mum plants suffer from lack of moisture, the stems become hard and woody and new growth virtually stops. Chrysanthemums seem to be very appreciative of any extra care and attention you give them and will reward you with extra blooms and a longer flowering period.
Gladiolus

If you want immediate gratification, plant one of summer's favorite flowers, the gladiolus. If you haven't grown gladiolus you are missing a real treat. Gladiolus are especially impressive combined with summer annuals and perennials in the garden, or when cut, they make a superb arrangement of flowers for the home.

Unlike other kinds of flowers, gladiolus requires very little space in your garden. You can plant a dozen or several dozen bulbs in a row, or group them in clusters for a massed effect. And this small area devoted to gladiolus can produce a bounty of beautiful blooms.

Now is the time to plant glads, and your local nursery or garden center is featuring a good supply of bulbs. Choose the varieties that are in the colors you want. Many beautiful new hybrid varieties that have been introduced in recent years are available. Nearly any color you fancy can be seen in gladiolus--from pure shades of white, cream, and pink to a bizarre combination of tan, and brown. Or how about green or blue? You can grow gladiolus that color, too.

While the tall-growing large flowering gladiolus are extremely popular, the relatively new miniature glads are creating excitement in the garden world. They yield profuse numbers of spikes, 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall, each with 15 to 20 dainty flowers, 2 to 2-1/2 inches across. These glads make charming indoor arrangements that are just the right size for that end table, coffee table, or centerpiece.

No matter which gladiolus you prefer, choose quality bulbs—you’ll be happier in the long run for doing so and when they bloom, you will agree—you got your money's worth.