Introduction This Chrysanthemum stopping guide has been compiled from information provided by growers throughout Scotland. The information will give approximate timings for blooms and sprays to reach maturity from varying rooting and stopping dates. The guide is structured along broad geographic lines and within each area there are often early (E) and late ( L) guidelines for each cultivar.

Rooting date means the date when cuttings are inserted into the propagating medium. Stopping date is when the growing tip is pinched out to induce the development of lateral growth. There may be two stopping dates for some Late flowering cultivars and occasionally for Early flowering cultivars. Full bloom means the date on which first blooms should reach maturity and become suitable for exhibition. The column headed 'blooms' shows the number of blooms each plant should be allowed to carry for optimum results; in the case of sprays this is the number of spray blooms allowed to develop on each flowering stem. Most Spray cultivars are grown with either 2 or 3 flowering stems. The range of blooms per stem is quite large for some cultivars, optimum numbers should be determined through discussion with other growers and by an appreciation of the potential of the cultivar. For exhibition sprays the number of blooms per stem should not be less than four.

In the case of Lates the term 'NB' is sometimes used. This means 'natural break' and cultivars where this is suggested are not stopped by pinching; lateral growth is induced by the plant forming a 'break bud' under normal growing conditions. Lateral growth will soon overtake this bud which can be removed or will simply not develop as the plant directs it's energy into vegetative lateral growth rather than flower production.

Every grower will have developed over many years his/her rooting and stopping dates for each cultivar. These dates are influenced by a number of factors; garden layout, garden direction, soil type and height above sea level are some of these factors. I t can generally be said that growers living further north will root and stop earlier than their southern colleagues. This may not always be the case, depending on which shows are being targeted; e.g. a grower in Dumfries, aiming for a mid August show may use the same rooting and stopping dates as a Fraserburgh grower who is aiming for mid September.

In his book on growing Lates, Ivor Mace considers stopping and timing as 70% skill and 30% luck when trying to achieve blooms or sprays on a particular show date. The great unknown, and uncontrollable factor is the weather. When our plants are stopped in March and April we do so with no knowledge of what the summer will bring. This stopping guide aims to help us consistently achieve our 70% of the bargain by employing records and information built up over many years. If we could achieve 100% accuracy consistently from season to season would we be happy? I think not. Chrysanthemums are not production line commodities, and chrysanthemum growers would not wish them to be so. The 30% stake held by mother nature is what we pit our skills against and my guess is that we wouldn't have it any other way.

What else would we talk about at the shows!?

Stopping Guide

This page provides the links to separate tables containing the stopping information by cultivar and geographical area within Scotland. Where there are gaps in the information this is an indication that particular cultivars are not widely grown in that area of Scotland.

Early Flowering Chrysanthemums:

• Incurved
• Large Reflexed
• Medium Reflexed
• Large Intermediate
• Medium Intermediate
• Anemone & reflexed Sprays
• Single Sprays

Late Flowering Chrysanthemums:

• Large Exhibition
• Incurved
• Reflexed
• Intermediate
• Singles

If you would like further information or wish to comment on this publication please send your e-mail to: paul.barlow@chrysanthemums.info

Last updated on 22 December, 2001