March Cultural Notes:
Cultural Notes and To Do List for March 2020
MARCH TO DO LIST
1. Gather materials for potting:
· For soilless growers, supplies include soilless mix and Peters 9-45-15 fertilizer. Most of our growers use the M & R Soilless potting mix and early season fertilizer which are both sold by the club.
· If you are not using the M&R soilless mix you will need a soil mix low in fertility, sterile and free draining. The soil should also retain enough moisture so that you don’t have to frequently water.
2. Wash Pots
· Clay pots are recommended when possible for the 4 or 6 inch potting as these pots breathe and dry out faster during cool March and April days.
– Wash used pots in a bleach/water solution, i.e. 2 teaspoons per gallon of water. Then rinse in fresh water. Let the cleaned pots set in the clear water for 3 or 4 minutes to clear out the bleach. Change the rinse water occasionally to clear out the bleach from previous rinses.
3. Pot mum starts into 4 or 6-inch pot:
· Pot on when the ring of roots around the bottom of the pot is substantial. Do not compact the mix and leave room at the top for watering.
4. Move pots outdoors:
· After mums have become well established in the new pots (1-2 weeks), and the ambient temperature is 50 to 60 degrees, move mums outdoors or to cold frame to slow the foliage growth and toughen up the plants.
· To keep roots warm and at a stable temp, bury the pots in the soil or in a layer of compost or manure. Six inches is a good depth for the compost or manure. A cold frame is the best solution for this stage!
· Lacking a good sunny location, B-9 is a growth retardant spray mix that tends to help plants from getting too leggy. It is available through the club.
5. Stopping Dates:
· Review stopping dates and stop mums as their stopping dates arrive. Very few varieties require pinching in March unless a double pinching regimen is being followed (Phil Houghton March 15 and May 15 for example).
· Refer to the various ECA lists of stopping dates. Copies of a stopping date list are available on our website. 6. Keep growing vigorously:
· Water as needed, but keep relatively dry
· Spray or control aphids
· Fertilize soil less plants with 9-45-15 starting the 2nd or 3rd week after potting. Use fertilizer at ½ strength that is approximately ½ teaspoon/gallon.
Begin culling process in March to get to the final growing group. Send surplus quality plants to plant sales or share with other ECA members. Throw away poor plants and damaged or diseased plants.
