Chrysanthemums and Dried Flowers

              Chrysanthemums and Dried Flowers
   Every dog has its day is an old time saying.  It goes for flowers, too.  Daffodils in April, Tulips in May, Roses in June,  All sorts of things in July and August.
   September is definitely the “day” for mums.   Or rather the month, because, if well cared for, with different varieties, your mum bloom will extend  for longer than a month.
   The mum display at Shademakers is outstanding and the price is very reasonable.

Should hold color for a month

   On a recent trip there, Kevin gave me the low-down on caring for those huge, outstanding plants. Many of us want them for accent pieces, the front porch, the back step, in front of the garage.
   Different varieties bloom at different times, so choose accordingly.  Some are in full bloom, others are in half bloom.  Kevin tells me that if some buds are not open, the mum should show good color for a month, if well cared for.  That means proper watering.  And that’s a trick.  You must water till it runs out the bottom holes, let it rest 1 minute, repeat, rest 1 minute and then water again.  I would suggest that you set the pot in a dishpan so the water can really soak up;.
   We would like to plant them in our flower garden and have them re-appear in the spring.  That’s another trick.  Those huge plants have been force--fed with fertilizer and have lots of roots.  They need at least 6 hours of sun and the soil must be well drained.  Most of them are not bred to be perennials, but annuals.  If you mulch them well, you may get new shoots in the spring.  That is the time to cut back last year’s growth.
   In most cases, enjoy them for a month, and look forward to something else.
   Such as the flowers for drying.  If you have been growing statice, cockscomb, gomphrena, strawflowers, collecting them, you are now in the happy period of putting bouquets together. I have been doing this for years and find new things to dry all the time.  The hydrangeas are gorgeous and can be dried in different stages.  When they have matured to their most fullest, put them in a vase with a small amount of water, When the water is gone, the flower will be just right.  Pale green on one side of the bloom and a shade of pink on the other side, lovely.  There are all kinds of hydrangeas and you may buy several before you get the one that really suits your needs.
   Cockscomb comes in two varieties. Crested and plume.  Both are good for drying.  You accept the fact that their color deepens and changes.

Crested Cockscomb

   Statice retains color and seems to be more plump after drying.  It’s not much to look at in the
cutting row, but give it a drink and it puffs out a bit.  I bunch about 5 or 6 stems together, put a rubber band around them.  Slip a bent paper clip through the rubber band and hang them up.  They are soon dry, move them to a dark spot, and dry more.  I am down to 3 hooks in the utility room, and it is sufficient.  At one time I had bunches hanging in the attic, the garage, the closets.  Those were the days; I had bushel baskets to bring in to strip the lower leaves, bunch and hang.    
   For now, I am satisfied to work with less.

Plume cockscomb, sea oats and artemesia

   What fun it is to share when a friend stops by.  A bouquet of dried flowers for the kitchen table will bring smiles when the mums have long been forgotten.