I have grown this variety for 6 years, and find it a d ependable cultivar being very easy to obtain excellent flowers, it is a nice straight growing plant reaching 5 feet and easily manageable. I grow 16 plants in rows of four with 16ins. between each plant.

Only the best 4 stools are boxed up in Vitax compost with grit added to keep it open and assist drainage, the stools being trimmed then washed with Jeyes Fluid and then thoroughly cleansed with cold water.

Propagation
Plenty of good cuttings are obtained with this variety after a few weeks on a s oil warming cable hot bed. Cuttings are taken on the 20 December, 24 to a standard seed tray again with Vitax compost with a little perlite added. After the cuttings are rooted they are potted up in 3 ins. plastic pots. Finally they will be potted in 6 ins. plastic pots again with Vitax compost and just a dusting of Vitax Q4, no lime needed.

Cold frames and stopping
The plants are moved to the cold frame about the middle of March, keeping a watch for hard frosts. All plants are stopped in early April i.e. 14 weeks after the cuttings were taken.

Planting out
Planting out takes place in the second week in May. A soil test is made every 2nd year, but 4oz of Vitax a square yard as a base dressing is usually all that is required. Four weeks after planting out all surplus laterals are removed leaving only two to finish flower.

Spraying programme
Spraying is kept to a minimum, all plants are inspected every evening for aphids etc. and will be sprayed with Tumblebug if necessary, no growth retard ant is required for this variety. After the bud has been taken, each plant is given a feed of seaweed extract mixture, 1 pint per plant and always keep moist never allowing bed to dry out.

Bloom protection
Bud bags are used to protect after calyx split and kept on for ten days, after which double 15"x13" bags are used to finish the bloom. Polythene wind breaks will have been fitted prior to planting out.

Exhibition
White Sally Duchess will produce blooms that are easy matched and consistently up to size. As this variety has a relatively small rooting spread, never allow the bed to dry out, and finally never cut a bloom that is "young" .

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 20 December, 2001