EVERGREEN CHRYSANTHEMUM ASSOCIATION
Seattle, Washington
ECAMumClub.org
Jim Anshutz, Secretary
MEETING OF THE ECA –THURSDAY April 08, 2009 at 7 PM at the Seattle Police Athletic Association Office (SPAA) site at 11030 East Marginal Way South, Tukwila.
TELEPHONE COMMITTEE MEMBERS contact your phone list members early, as your calls do help to increase attendance.
CHRIS BROOKS
We wish Chris a speedy recovery from his recent gall bladder surgery and thank him for his devotion to the Club!
YEARBOOKS –Mark Ross said that the 2010 ECA Yearbooks may be available for distribution to members attending the April meeting. (He is till trying to determine a final list based on membership payments.) If a membership roster isn’t completed for 2010, a draft copy will be available at the April meeting for review of member information and any other final touches.
A big thanks to Mark who once again took on the Yearbook duty which required lots of time and effort. It’s a big job and is greatly appreciated.
PLANT SALES – Thanks to Bob Ewing for all his hard work coordinating our public plant sale and thanks to the large number of Club members who helped out at the sale at Furney’s which was very successful. (We’ll await final numbers as Chris recovers from his surgery.) For anyone who may still need plants, Ron Elliott, Bob Ewing and Mark Ross have the leftover plants that they will bring with them to the April meeting.
MEMBER NEWS – Again, the E.C.A. appreciates all the time and effort all the growers who took the time to propagate plants to sell at our membership and public plant sales. The Public Plant sale and our membership dues are the club’s only means of income to cover the club’s yearly expenses. Thanks to all of you, GOOD JOB.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS who joined during the plant sale at Furney’s. They are Chris Binz, Tamara Bliley, Richard C. Blaisdell and Ann Sibborn and we hope to see them at future meetings and events.
PLANT CULTURE and SUPPLIES –April and May are the months where most of our cultivars are stopped. Cultural recommendations are attached for April and will be discussed at the April meeting. Contact Don Stark for soilless and supplies needed.
Please note the change in recommendation for starter fertilizer. Don Stark indicated that water-soluble 10-50-10, Peters Super Blossom Booster plant food, is available at local garden stores or McLendons Hardware in 1.5-pound bags. The application directions indicate 1 tsp per gallon of water for indoor use. Use this fertilizer as a supplement through the 6” pot stage. Peters 20-10-20 will be available for use through the summer growth season.
If you prefer to receive future monthly notices by email only rather than US mail, please send an email to Jim Anshutz. It will also save the Club some money on postage.
APRIL TO DO LIST (edited from DRS 3-21-05)
1. Potting on mums into 4” or 6” pots
• Soilless growers who are using the club recommended M&R mix. This mix is ph balanced at 6.5 and contains a good mix of fertilizers that carry the plant for 3-4 weeks. It requires no additives at this time, but some growers like to add a little Alfalfa meal and some additional pumice for increased aeration.
• Soil or compost mixes: See McGlashen mix in the McGlashen Hand Book. You’ll need to mix your own soil, consisting of compost, or garden loam plus slacked Lime or Dolomite to keep soil sweet plus Steamed Bone to promote root growth. Also, ashes and a little Rose and garden fertilizer (i.e. 4-10-8 or 5-10-10) Pumice or grit may be added to loosen the soil mix.
• Wash previously used pots in a mild Clorox bath (bleach), then rinse in clear water.
• Clay pots are recommended for 4 or 6 inch potting as they breathe and dry out faster during cool April days.
• Pot on when a significant ring of roots forms around the bottom edge of the pot (semi root bound). Do not compact the potting mix. Tie plants to small stakes.
2. Move mum pots outdoors as weather warms. Choose a sunny location.
• Bury pots to rim if using clay. Protect from frost, wind, dogs, cats and Children.
3. Review stopping dates. Most ECA cultivars are stopped Between April 15 and May 30.
• Pinch date lists for most club cultivars should be available at the April meeting. Contact your Coach for other cultivars not on the list.
4 OTHER CARE:
• Control Aphids. Spray for Aphids every 2 or 3 weeks, with liquid Diazinon, or other insecticides. Water only as needed, do not over water.
• Fertilize weekly starting the 3rd or 4th week after potting. Standard Miracle Grow is recommended. Water soluble 10-50-10 Peter’s upper blossom booster is also a good substitute.
• Continue culling process in April to get to your final growing group. The 6” potting should
be used for this reduction. Don’t always keep the first plants to reach 6” potting stage. Keep
the best cultivars. Share surplus plants with other club members. Throw away damaged or diseased plants.
