Over the course of the year I have bought several pot mums from the local supermarket as they do quite well in our living room window. They last for ages and so are quite good value for money - especially considering my long term plans for them. I kept a keen eye on the colours that were available as I wanted a variety. I ended up with the four below - excuse the inaccurate colour (especially of the red flowers) but I was playing around using a flash in the dark.
Once the flowering period was over each plant was transferred to the greenhouse and then planted out at the allotment where I had initially intended that they have a second lease of life. Recently the plants started to flower again and we decided to repot them to give the flowers protection from the weather. Also you never know whether the pot mums are hardy varieties that would survive outdoors over winter.
Growers treat pot mums with a chemical which inhibits their growth keeping them pot plant sized and also induces them to produce masses of flowers. Once you plant them out in the garden the plants revert to their natural stature and flowering pattern. The plant in the bottom photo below was planted out in the garden earlier and now is a fairly large plant. All five plants are now in large pots in the greenhouse. They will probably be planted back on the plot and they may even be the source of some cutting material.
I could disbud the plants to get them to produce larger flowers but I rather like the smaller flowers produced in sprays.
Back in September we went on a train journey to Betwsy-coed and on our table was a small flower display comprising of chrysanthemums, dianthus and solidago. This is shown in the top photograph. On leaving the train we were given the display to bring home. The flowers lasted ages in our bathroom and inspired me to create similar arrangements.
The photo above is my version using some flowers from the ex pot mums and some ammi gathered from the plot.
I'm hoping that the plants in the greenhouse continue to supply me with cutting material for some time. Now I'm on the lookout for more colours to add to the collection especially a nice bronze.
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