Local Chrysanthemum growers

Good afternoon all,

Over the past few years of going to Harrogate, I have been more and more drawn to growing Chrysanths.

There is quite a lot of terminology flying around when you start reading bits of literature and the youtube videos aren't the greatest.

I was wondering if anyone here grows them for shows, and if possible, is there anyone in the South Yorkshire area? It would be great to get to know someone who could offer advice throughout the year

I had an allotment for 4 years before I unfortunately had to give it up. I grew all sorts and filled my house full of flowers during the summer months but Chrysanths were never a flower I grew for some reason

 

Hi,

Bit like Dahlias , seems Chrysanthemums are coming back into fashion.

Afraid I have little practical experience of them but my old dad used to grow some, along with another little grown plant these days, Carnations.

Am sure he mentioned Woolmans as a great supplier, though a few other such true growers still around.

Expect some of the older member will be along to rekindle their past growing tips.

Chrysanthemum Plants From Woolmans

Chrysanthemums - Halls of Heddon
Chrysanthemum Cultivation - Halls of Heddon

 

Hi @Craig1987 many, many years ago I was given some show chrysanth plants and tried growing them on. To get the big flowers you had to disbud to only about 4 buds per plant, and greenhouse them. So I found they were a bit too space intensive. Border ones are great for late interest - I have a single in full bloom now. But I must admit that the fantasy spider mums are looking worth another attempt - have you seen them? They look like they're from outer space! Chrysanthemums Direct - Fantasy Varieties

 

Had a look on the Woolmans website, there is a great selection

I also have have a catalogue from Halls of Heddon from the Harrogate flower show

I'll probably end up ordering a selection to have a go at and see what happens next year. If they are decent enough quality to use as cut flowers then I'll be happy

 

Yeh I've seen a few videos of disbudding. I had no idea this is how they got the flowers so big. I just thought the plants naturally produced several flowers of this size

I have seen the spider mums. Not sure what I think of them to be honest. They are certainly interesting!

 

I remember Woolmans.

A workmate on the parks dept used to grow giant blooms. Even back in the 70's he could get two and six (12.5p)per bloom. I've never grown anything for showing and Chrysanthemums always remind me of funerals.

 

Its a common practice , not just for Chrysanths, but many other flowers, partic Dahlias etc, and also used on some fruits, eg Grapes , Melons etc where you remove the excess so all the energy goes into the remaining flowers or fruit.

Though you can grow Chrysanths outdoors, do you have a greenhouse to get the best from them ?

Today you generally see 8x6 greenhouses, but in the old days they would have wooden 20ft-ers which could house lots of the larger Chrysanths.

 

I have removed flowers on fruit/veg before back when I had my allotment. Just never thought of doing it for cut flowers.

I'm going to be using my parents greenhouse which isn't used. I grow my mum a few chilli plants each year but the rest is wasted space. This is why I thought about the chrysanths.

One thing I would like to know though, I've read about growing then outside and then transferring them into the greenhouse. This wouldn't be an option for me. Do you think they'd be ok grown in the greenhouse from the off?

 

Hi,

I imagine its to do with leaving space in the greenhouse during the summer and probably it would be too hot for them .. ?

At the bottom of this page there is mention of keeping them in .
How to plant and grow chrysanthemums | Sarah Raven
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Chrysanthemum Care Guide: How to Grow Chrysanthemum | DIY Garden

Bit surprised no one else has been able to help out, know its not a current favourite, but thought someone would be growing them....

ps - just been looking through some old gardening books and the 1984 edition of the Flower Expert D G Hessayon does detail them in his Hobby Section over three pages and states there are the two main types Outdoor and Indoor, along with general growing methods ; so looks like you need to search for indoor types.

The book is still available, but as a later edition it may no longer contain that section ..?

 

Hi,

PM sent with some Chrysant info.

 

Thank you so much for your help Ricky!

 

Hi,

In this weeks Garden News magazine ( most big supermarkets etc) there is a two page spread about new varieties for 2020 with details of the several small growers including one from Dronfield and one from Liversedge, W.Yorks.

Just looked up the one from Dronfield and he has written some detailed Spray cultural information.
Early Sprays - National Chrysanthemum Society

Might be worth contacting them to see what else they may be selling ...?

 

Ah brilliant! I'll try to get a copy tomorrow

Thanks for the heads up