Simon White gave a lively and interesting talk about his passion for growing and showing Chrysanthemums.
Simon was the Sales Manager at Peter Beales Roses, and worked at the company for 40 years. He is the holder or the RHS Long Service Award, a judge with Anglia in Bloom and Vice Chair of the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society.
Simon’s talk took members from the taking of cuttings in mid January, their indoor nurture and care during the frosts, their stopping and hardening off, feeding, supporting and watering up to their final show glory in November. Chrysanthemums at top class level need quite a high degree of coddling. White rust can be a big problems and the plants require good air flow and some dehumidifying to reduce the likelihood of it occurring.
Simon showed examples of flowers in their prime and talked about the level of attention to detail required to get a 1st in a show. With growers literally teasing petals in to places of the large blooms.
An enjoyable and engaging talk. Examples of the blooms can be seen at the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Show – 9th November at the St Faiths Centre, NR10 3LF
