Mums Growing Guide 2026-2027

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GROWING GUIDE

2026-2027

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 04 PAGE 06 PAGE 12 PAGE 14 PAGE 18

Flowering Sequence Chart

A-Z Quick Reference Chart

Propagation Guide

TRIAL SITES Our trial sites in North America are chosen by

Finishing Guide

1. Cahill Family Greenhouses; Saint James, MO 2. Ball Seed; West Chicago, IL 3. DeGoede Brothers, LLC; Sumner, WA 4. George Sants & Sons, LTD; Kleinburg, Ontario 5. Lou Davino Jr. Greenhouse; Millstone, NJ 6. Mast Young Plants; Grand Rapids, MI 7. Youngs Plant Farm; Auburn, AL 8. Metrolina Greenhouses; Huntersville, NC region to better evaluate the performance of our products before selection. We base our decisions on propagation and rooting evaluations, and Natural Season and Black Cloth shaded production trials, so you can be confident that you are getting the best-performing varieties for your region.

Black Cloth

1. Ball Tagawa Growers; Arroyo Grande, CA 2. D.S. Cole Growers; Loudon, NH 3. Dickman Farms; Auburn, NY 4. Greenstreet Growers, Inc.;Lothian, MD 5. Keepsake Plants; Alva, FL 6. Knox Horticulture; Winter Garden, FL 7. Kube-Pak; Allentown, NJ 8. Lucas Greenhouses; Monroeville, NJ America to provide you with the highest‑quality rooted mum cuttings. ROOTING STATIONS Your Ball Seed Sales Rep works with the most reliable suppliers in North

9. Mast Young Plants; Grand Rapids, MI 10. Plantpeddler, Inc.; Cresco, IA 11. Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants; Litchfield, MI 12. Van de Wetering Greenhouses, Inc.; Jamesport, NY 13. Tagawa Greenhouses; Brighton, CO 14. Genesis Plant Propagation Ltd.; Langley, BC 15. George Sant & Sons; Kleinburg, ON 16. Linwell Gardens Ltd.; Beamsville, ON

17. Supplied from Alva, FL UNROOTED CUTTINGS

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3

Natural Season Garden Mums Flowering Sequence

VERY EARLY < Sept 9

EARLY Sept 10-18

MID-SEASON Sept 19-26

flower date

flower date

flower date

color

variety

form vigor

variety

form vigor

variety

form

vigor

Astral White

Decorative Medium/Short 9/06

Aspen White Bridal White

Decorative Medium 9/12 Decorative Medium/Tall 9/15

Starburst White Celestial White

Decorative Medium/Short 9/20

Decorative

Medium 9/20

Moonglow White Decorative Medium 9/15

NEW Cyclone White

Decorative Medium/Short 9/23

Tribeca White

Decorative Decorative Decorative Decorative Decorative Decorative

Medium 9/23 Medium 9/24 Medium 9/25 Medium 9/26 Medium 9/19 Medium 9/21

White

NEW Axios White

Paperwhite

Carousel White

Buttercup Yellow Katelli Yellow Kizzmet Golden Yellow Moonglow Yellow

Decorative Medium 9/13 Decorative Medium 9/13

Sunrise Yellow

Decorative Medium 9/07

Honeyblush Yellow

Tribeca Yellow

Decorative Medium 9/17

Stellar Yellow

Decorative

Medium 9/22

Decorative Medium 9/17 NEW Cyclone Golden Yellow Decorative Medium/Short 9/23 NEW Cyclone Yellow Decorative Medium/Short 9/23 Sizzling Fire Yellow Decorative Medium 9/23 NEW Axios Yellow Decorative Medium 9/24 Cracklin Golden Yellow Duplex Medium/Short 9/24 Zinger Yellow Decorative Medium 9/24

Yellow/ Gold

Stellar Pink

Decorative

Medium 9/21

Misty Lilac Pink

Decorative Medium 9/18

Tribeca Pink

Decorative Medium/Tall

9/21

NEW Cyclone Light Pink

Decorative Medium/Short 9/23 Decorative Medium/Short 9/23

NEW Cyclone Pink

Flamingo Pineapple Pink Decorative

Medium 9/23 Medium 9/24 Medium 9/24 Medium 9/25 Medium 9/25 Medium 9/26

Pink/ Lavender/ Peach

NEW Axios Light Pink

Decorative Decorative Decorative

NEW Axios Pink Flamingo Pink

Flamingo Neon Pink

Decorative

Carousel Blushing Salmon Decorative

Carousel Pink

Decorative

Medium 9/26

Pink Frenzy

Decorative Medium/Tall

9/26

Stellar Purple

Decorative

Medium 9/20

Tribeca Dark Pink NEW Axios Purple Gypsy Rose Purple

Decorative Decorative Decorative

Medium 9/23 Medium 9/24 Medium 9/24

Purple/ Dark Pink

Poppin Purple

Decorative

Medium 9/24

NEW Katelli Bronze Improved Hot Spot Bronze

Autumn Envy Bronze Decorative

Short

9/08

Decorative Short

9/15 Sweet Potato Pie Bronze Decorative

Medium 9/21

Decorative Medium 9/18

Fireglow Bronze

Decorative

Medium 9/23

Kickin’ Spicy Orange Decorative Medium/Tall 9/15 Trickster Golden Bronze

Decorative

Medium 9/23

Butternut Golden Bronze

Decorative Medium/Tall

9/26 9/21

Perfectly Orange

Decorative

Short

Bronze/ Orange

Tribeca Amber Orange

Decorative

Medium 9/21

NEW Axios Orange

Decorative

Medium 9/24

Zuma Orange

Decorative

Medium 9/22

Fire Halo Orange

Decorative Medium/Tall

9/24

Orange Zest

Decorative

Medium 9/25 Medium 9/25 Medium 9/26

NEW Petite Orange Improved Decorative

Carousel Glimmer Orange

Decorative Decorative Decorative

Five Alarm Red

Decorative Medium 9/11

Stellar Red Red Hots

Short

9/19

Cranbury Red Decorative Medium 9/17

Medium 9/23

Red / Coral

NEW Axios Coral

Decorative

Medium 9/24

Radiant Red

Decorative Decorative

Tall

9/25

Flamingo Cranberry

Medium 9/25

4

Top Performers in bold.

Grower Ship Date (left) is approximately 7-10 days earlier than Flowering Date. Flowering Date = 30-50% open flowers

LATE Sept 27-Oct 4

EARLY SEASON EXTENDER Oct 5-12

LATE SEASON EXTENDER Oct 13+

flower date

flower date

flower date

color

variety

form vigor

variety

form vigor

variety

form vigor

Morgana White

Decorative Medium/Short 10/07 Avalon Crème White Decorative Medium 10/19

Butter N’ Cream White Decorative Medium 9/29

Paradiso White Decorative Medium/Short

9/30

Dove White

Decorative Medium

10/11 Milkshake Coconut White Decorative Medium 10/21

Alpine White

Decorative Medium 10/12

White

Sweet Honey Yellow Decorative Medium 9/28

Morgana Yellow

Decorative Medium/Short 10/08 Avalon Golden Yellow Decorative Medium/Short 10/15

Destiny Yellow

Duplex

Medium

9/29

Cosmic Solar Yellow Decorative Medium 10/09

Sunny Day Yellow Decorative Medium 10/16

Sundance Yellow

Decorative Medium

9/30 Gold Riot Yellow

Decorative Medium 10/09 Avalon Sunny Yellow Decorative Medium

10/19

Paradiso Yellow

Decorative Medium/Short

9/30

Decorative Medium 10/09 Milkshake Banana Yellow Decorative Medium 10/21

Yellow Tang

Yellow/ Gold

Gold Cup

Decorative

Short

10/02

Dove Yellow Decorative Medium 10/11

Amphion Lavender Purple Paradiso Pink

Daisy

Medium

9/27

Pop Eye Pink

Decorative Medium 10/06

Avalon Pink

Decorative Medium/Short 10/16

Decorative Medium/Short

9/30

Milkshake Berry Pink Decorative Medium 10/21

Jazzberry Pink

Decorative Medium 10/07 Decorative Medium 10/09 Decorative Medium 10/09

Cosmic Lunar Pink

Skye Pink

Decorative

Short

9/30

Morgana Pink

Pink/ Lavender

Grapeberry Neon Purple

Prism Purple

Decorative Medium

9/28

Decorative Medium 10/06

Avalon Purple

Decorative Medium/Short 10/16

9/30 Cosmic Galaxy Purple Decorative Medium 10/09 Milkshake Cherry Purple Decorative Medium 10/21

Plumberry Purple Wicked Purple Paintbox Purple

Decorative Medium Decorative Medium Decorative Medium/Short Decorative Medium

Purple/ Dark Pink

Majesty Purple Decorative Medium 10/09 Morgana Purple Decorative Medium/Short 10/09

9/30 10/2 10/4

Venus Purple

Cosmic Meteor Bronze Pop Eye Orange

Decorative Medium 10/09 Milkshake Kiwi Bronze Decorative Medium 10/21

Copper Coin Bronze Decorative Medium 9/30

Paradiso Bronze Decorative Medium/Short

9/30

Decorative Medium 10/06

Avalon Orange Milkshake Papaya Orange

Decorative Medium/Short 10/16 Decorative Medium 10/21

Hot Sugar Gold Bronze Decorative Medium

9/30

Orange Helios

Decorative Medium/Tall

10/07

Metrona Bronze Decorative Medium 10/01 Morgana Orange Decorative Medium 10/08 Autumn Glow Bronze Decorative Medium 10/02 Pumpkin Pie Orange Decorative Medium 10/09 Sunset Orange Decorative Medium 9/27 Spicy Pumpkin Orange Decorative Medium 10/09 Mumosa Orange Decorative Medium 9/28 Blazing Orange Decorative Medium 10/12

Bronze/ Orange

Eternal Red Avalon Red

Decorative Medium/Short 10/14 Decorative Medium/Short 10/15

Red Ryder Roaring Red

Decorative Medium Decorative Medium

9/28 Mumma Mia Red Decorative Medium/Tall

10/05

9/29

Morgana Red

Decorative Medium 10/08

Milkshake Strawberry Red

Maverick Red

Decorative Medium/Tall

10/04

Cosmic Fireball Red Decorative Medium 10/09

Decorative Medium 10/21

Red

Majesty Red

Decorative Medium 10/09

5

Order at ballseed.com/webtrack • 800 879-BALL • fax 800 234-0370

Ball Garden Mums A-Z Quick Reference

FLOWER DATE (NORTH)

FLOWER DATE (SOUTH)

HEAT TOLERANCE TX/FL

FLOWERING FORM

GROWTH HABIT

TOP PERFORMER

PACIFIC NW

VARIETY

COLOR

VIGOR

TIMING

White Decorative European

Medium Very Late -ESE N: 10/12 S: 10/14

ALPINE WHITE

Pink

Daisy

European

Medium Medium

Late Early

N: 9/27 S: 9/27 N: 9/12 S: 9/23 N: 9/06 S: 9/06 N: 9/08 S: 9/13

AMPHION LAVENDER PURPLE

White Decorative Mounded

ASPEN WHITE

White Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

Very Early Very Early

ASTRAL WHITE

Bronze Decorative Mounded

Short

AUTUMN ENVY BRONZE

Bronze Decorative Mounded

Medium

Late

N: 10/02 S: 10/05

AUTUMN GLOW BRONZE

White Decorative Mounded

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/19 S: 10/21

AVALON CRÈME WHITE

Yellow Decorative Mounded Medium/Short Orange Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

Very Late-ESE N: 10/15 S: 10/21 Very Late-ESE N: 10/16 S: 10/21 Very Late-ESE N: 10/16 S: 10/21 Very Late-ESE N: 10/16 S: 10/21 Very Late-ESE N: 10/15 S: 10/21

AVALON GOLDEN YELLOW

AVALON ORANGE

Pink

Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

AVALON PINK

Purple Decorative Mounded Medium/Short Red Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

AVALON PURPLE

AVALON RED

Yellow Decorative Mounded

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/19 S: 10/21

AVALON SUNNY YELLOW

Coral

Decorative European

Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium

Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid

N: 9/24 S: 9/29 N: 9/24 S: 9/29 N: 9/24 S: 9/29 N: 9/24 S: 9/29 N: 9/24 S: 9/29 N: 9/24 S: 9/29 N: 9/24 S: 9/29

AXIOS CORAL

Light Pink Decorative European Orange Decorative European

AXIOS LIGHT PINK

AXIOS ORANGE

Pink

Decorative European

AXIOS PINK

Purple Decorative European White Decorative European Yellow Decorative European Orange Decorative Mounded

AXIOS PURPLE

AXIOS WHITE

AXIOS YELLOW

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/12 S: 10/12

BLAZING ORANGE

White Decorative European Medium/Tall

Early Late Early

N: 9/15 S: 9/26 N: 9/29 S: 10/02 N: 9/13 S: 9/18 N: 9/26 S: 9/26

BRIDAL WHITE

White Decorative European Yellow Decorative European

Medium Medium

BUTTER N' CREAM WHITE

BUTTERCUP YELLOW

Bronze Decorative European Medium/Tall

Mid

BUTTERNUT GOLDEN BRONZE

CAROUSEL BLUSHING SALMON

Salmon Decorative Mounded

Medium

Mid

N: 9/26 S: 9/30

Orange Decorative Mounded

Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium

Mid Mid Mid Mid Late

N: 9/26 S: 9/30 N: 9/26 S: 9/30 N: 9/26 S: 9/30 N: 9/20 S: 9/26 N: 9/30 S: 10/03

CAROUSEL GLIMMER ORANGE

Pink

Decorative Mounded

CAROUSEL PINK

White Decorative Mounded White Decorative European Bronze Decorative European Red Decorative European Purple Decorative European

CAROUSEL WHITE

CELESTIAL WHITE

COPPER COIN BRONZE

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/09 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/09 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/09 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/09 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/09

COSMIC FIREBALL RED

COSMIC GALAXY PURPLE

Pink

Decorative European

COSMIC LUNAR PINK

Bronze Decorative European Yellow Decorative European

COSMIC METEOR BRONZE

COSMIC SOLAR YELLOW

Yellow Duplex

Mounded Medium/Short

Mid

N: 9/24 S: 9/24 N: 9/17 S: 10/01 N: 9/23 S: 9/26 N: 9/23 S: 9/26 N: 9/23 S: 9/26 N: 9/23 S: 9/26 N: 9/23 S: 9/26 N: 9/29 S: 10/02

CRACKLIN GOLDEN YELLOW

Red Decorative Mounded

Medium

Early Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid Late

CRANBURY RED

Yellow Decorative Mounded Medium/Short Light Pink Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

CYCLONE GOLDEN YELLOW

CYCLONE LIGHT PINK

Pink

Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

CYCLONE PINK

White Decorative Mounded Medium/Short Yellow Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

CYCLONE WHITE

CYCLONE YELLOW

Yellow Duplex

Mounded

Medium

DESTINY YELLOW

White Decorative European

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/11 S: 10/19

DOVE WHITE

6

ESE: Early Season Extender LSE: Late Season Extender

l - suggested l - highly recommended

BLACK CLOTH

COASTAL CA

MIXED COMBOS

1/2 BUSHEL

HANGING BASKETS

SPRING FLOWERING

LANDSCAPE

4” 6” 8” 10” 12”

Response (Wks) Recommend 4”

6”

8” 10” 12” 1/2 Bushel Hanging Baskets

7 Wk 6 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 6 Wk

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7 Wk

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8 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 6 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk

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7 Wk

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7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk

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NO NO NO NO NO

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6.5 Wk 6.5 Wk 6.5 Wk 6.5 Wk 6.5 Wk

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7 Wk 8 Wk

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7

Order at ballseed.com/webtrack • 800 879-BALL • fax 800 234-0370

Ball Garden Mums A-Z Quick Reference cont.

FLOWER DATE (NORTH)

FLOWER DATE (SOUTH)

HEAT TOLERANCE TX/FL

FLOWERING FORM

GROWTH HABIT

TOP PERFORMER

PACIFIC NW

VARIETY

COLOR

VIGOR

TIMING

Yellow Decorative European

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/11 S: 10/19

DOVE YELLOW

Red Decorative Mounded Medium/Short Orange Decorative Mounded Medium/Tall

Very Late-LSE N: 10/14 S: 10/14

ETERNAL RED

Mid Mid

N: 9/24 S: 9/30 N: 9/23 S: 9/29 N: 9/11 S: 9/15 N: 9/25 S: 9/28 N: 9/25 S: 9/28 N: 9/23 S: 9/25 N: 9/25 S: 9/28 N: 10/02 S: 10/12

FIRE HALO ORANGE

Bronze Decorative European Red Decorative Mounded Red Decorative European

Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium

FIREGLOW BRONZE

Early Mid Mid Mid Mid Late

FIVE ALARM RED

FLAMINGO CRANBERRY RED

Pink Pink Pink

Decorative European Decorative European Decorative European

FLAMINGO NEON PINK

FLAMINGO PINEAPPLE PINK

FLAMINGO PINK

Yellow Decorative European Yellow Decorative European Purple Decorative European Purple Decorative European Yellow Decorative European Bronze Decorative Mounded Bronze Decorative Mounded

Short

GOLD CUP YELLOW

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/13 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/06 S: 10/10

GOLD RIOT YELLOW

GRAPEBERRY NEON PURPLE

Medium Medium Medium Medium

Mid Mid

N: 9/24 S: 9/27 N: 9/19 S: 9/24 N: 9/18 S: 9/26 N: 9/30 S: 9/30

GYPSY ROSE PURPLE

HONEYBLUSH YELLOW

Early Late

HOT SPOT BRONZE

HOT SUGAR GOLD BRONZE

Pink

Decorative European

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/07 S: 10/07

JAZZBERRY PINK

Bronze Decorative European Yellow Decorative European

Short

Early Early Early Early

N: 9/15 S: 9/16 N: 9/13 S: 9/13 N: 9/15 S: 9/24 N: 9/17 S: 9/27

KATELLI BRONZE IMPROVED

Medium

KATELLI YELLOW

Orange Decorative Mounded Medium/Tall

KICKIN' SPICY ORANGE

Yellow Decorative European Purple Decorative European Red Decorative European

Medium

KIZZMET GOLDEN YELLOW

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/11 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/11

MAJESTY PURPLE

MAJESTY RED

Red Decorative Mounded Medium/Tall

Late

N: 10/04 S: 10/10

MAVERICK RED

Bronze/ Gold

Decorative Mounded

Medium

Late

N: 10/01 S: 10/01

METRONA BRONZE

Yellow Decorative Mounded

Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/21 S: 10/25 Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/21 S: 10/25 Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/21 S: 10/25 Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/21 S: 10/25 Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/21 S: 10/25 Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/21 S: 10/25

MILKSHAKE BANANA YELLOW

Pink

Decorative Mounded

MILKSHAKE BERRY PINK

Purple Decorative Mounded White Decorative Mounded Bronze Decorative Mounded Orange Decorative Mounded

MILKSHAKE CHERRY PURPLE

MILKSHAKE COCONUT WHITE

MILKSHAKE KIWI BRONZE

MILKSHAKE PAPAYA ORANGE

MILKSHAKE STRAWBERRY RED

Red Decorative Mounded

Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/21 S: 10/25

Pink

Decorative Mounded

Medium Medium Medium

Early Early Early

N: 9/18 S: 9/26 N: 9/15 S: 9/26 N: 9/17 S: 9/26

MISTY LILAC PINK

White Decorative European Yellow Decorative European Orange Decorative Mounded

MOONGLOW WHITE

MOONGLOW YELLOW

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/08 S: 10/19 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/19

MORGANA ORANGE

Pink

Decorative Mounded

MORGANA PINK

Purple Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/19

MORGANA PURPLE

Red Decorative Mounded

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/08 S: 10/19

MORGANA RED

White Decorative Mounded Medium/Short Yellow Decorative Mounded Medium/Short Red Decorative European Medium/Tall

Very Late-ESE N: 10/07 S: 10/19 Very Late-ESE N: 10/08 S: 10/19 Very Late-ESE N: 10/05 S: 10/10

MORGANA WHITE

MORGANA YELLOW

MUMMA MIA RED

Orange Decorative European

Medium

Late

N: 9/28 S: 10/04

MUMOSA ORANGE

Orange Decorative Mounded Medium/Tall

Very Late-ESE N: 10/07 S: 10/07

ORANGE HELIOS

8

ESE: Early Season Extender LSE: Late Season Extender

l - suggested l - highly recommended

BLACK CLOTH

COASTAL CA

MIXED COMBOS

1/2 BUSHEL

HANGING BASKETS

SPRING FLOWERING

LANDSCAPE

4” 6” 8” 10” 12”

Response (Wks) Recommend 4”

6”

8” 10” 12” 1/2 Bushel Hanging Baskets

7 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 6 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 6 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk

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NO NO

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NO NO NO NO

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NO

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NO NO

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9

Order at ballseed.com/webtrack • 800 879-BALL • fax 800 234-0370

Ball Garden Mums A-Z Quick Reference cont.

FLOWER DATE (NORTH)

FLOWER DATE (SOUTH)

HEAT TOLERANCE TX/FL

FLOWERING FORM

GROWTH HABIT

TOP PERFORMER

PACIFIC NW

VARIETY

COLOR

VIGOR

TIMING

Orange Decorative Mounded

Medium

Mid Late Mid Late Late Late Late Mid Mid Mid Late

N: 9/25 S: 10/03 N: 10/02 S: 10/07 N: 9/25 S: 9/25 N: 9/30 S: 10/10 N: 9/30 S: 10/10 N: 9/30 S: 10/10 N: 9/30 S: 10/10 N: 9/21 S: 9/26 N: 9/25 S: 9/30 N: 9/26 S: 9/25 N: 9/30 S: 10/12

ORANGE ZEST

Purple Decorative Mounded Medium/Short

PAINTBOX PURPLE

White Decorative Mounded

Medium

PAPERWHITE

Bronze Decorative European Medium/Short

PARADISO BRONZE

Pink

Decorative European Medium/Short

PARADISO PINK

White Decorative European Medium/Short Yellow Decorative European Medium/Short

PARADISO WHITE

PARADISO YELLOW

Orange Decorative Mounded

Short

PERFECTLY ORANGE

Orange

Duplex

European

Medium

PETITE ORANGE IMPROVED

Pink

Decorative Mounded Medium/Tall

PINK FRENZY

Purple Decorative Mounded

Medium

PLUMBERRY PURPLE

Orange

Duplex Duplex Duplex

Mounded Mounded European

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/06 S: 10/11 Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/06 S: 10/11

POP EYE ORANGE

Pink

POP EYE PINK

Purple

Medium Medium

Mid Late

N: 9/24 S: 9/29 N: 9/28 S: 10/03

POPPIN PURPLE

Purple Decorative European Orange Decorative European

PRISM PURPLE

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/11

PUMPKIN PIE ORANGE

Red Decorative European Medium/Tall

Mid Mid Late Late Mid Late

N: 9/25 S: 10/04 N: 9/23 S: 10/08 N: 9/28 S: 10/07 N: 9/29 S: 10/04 N: 9/23 S: 9/30 N: 9/30 S: 10/04

RADIANT RED

Red Decorative Mounded Red Decorative European Red Decorative Mounded Yellow Decorative Mounded

Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium

RED HOTS

RED RYDER

ROARING RED

SIZZLING FIRE YELLOW

Pink

Decorative European

SKYE PINK

Orange Decorative Mounded

Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/09 S: 10/09

SPICY PUMPKIN ORANGE

White Decorative European Medium/Short

Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid Late

N: 9/20 S: 10/01 N: 9/21 S: 9/30 N: 9/20 S: 9/30 N: 9/19 S: 9/28 N: 9/22 S: 9/29 N: 9/30 S: 10/11

STARBURST WHITE

Pink

Decorative European

Medium Medium

STELLAR PINK

Purple Decorative European Red Decorative European Yellow Decorative European Yellow Decorative European Yellow Decorative European Yellow Decorative Mounded Orange Decorative European

STELLAR PURPLE

Short

STELLAR RED

Medium Medium

STELLAR YELLOW

SUNDANCE YELLOW

Medium Very Late-LSE N: 10/16 S: 10/16

SUNNY DAY YELLOW

Medium Very Early

N: 9/07 S: 9/06 N: 9/27 S: 9/26

SUNRISE YELLOW

Medium

Late

SUNSET ORANGE

Golden Yellow

Decorative European

Medium

Late

N: 9/28 S: 10/07

SWEET HONEY YELLOW

Bronze Decorative Mounded Orange Decorative Mounded

Medium Medium Medium

Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid Mid Late Late

N: 9/21 S: 9/21 N: 9/21 S: 9/28 N: 9/23 S: 9/30 N: 9/21 S: 9/28 N: 9/23 S: 9/28 N: 9/21 S: 9/30 N: 9/23 S: 10/04 N: 10/04 S: 10/18 N: 9/30 S: 10/04

SWEET POTATO PIE BRONZE

TRIBECA AMBER ORANGE

Pink Pink

Decorative Mounded

TRIBECA DARK PINK

Decorative Mounded Medium/Tall

TRIBECA PINK

White Decorative Mounded Yellow Decorative Mounded Bronze Decorative Mounded Purple Decorative European Purple Decorative Mounded Yellow Decorative European Yellow Decorative Mounded Orange Decorative European

Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium

TRIBECA WHITE

TRIBECA YELLOW

TRICKSTER GOLDEN BRONZE

VENUS PURPLE

WICKED PURPLE

Medium Very Late-ESE N: 10/09 S: 10/22

YELLOW TANG

Medium Medium

Mid Mid

N: 9/24 S: 9/27 N: 9/22 S: 9/26

ZINGER YELLOW

ZUMA ORANGE

10

ESE: Early Season Extender LSE: Late Season Extender

l - suggested l - highly recommended

BLACK CLOTH

COASTAL CA

MIXED COMBOS

1/2 BUSHEL

HANGING BASKETS

SPRING FLOWERING

LANDSCAPE

4” 6” 8” 10” 12”

Response (Wks) Recommend 4”

6”

8” 10” 12” 1/2 Bushel Hanging Baskets

8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk 7 Wk

NO

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11

Order at ballseed.com/webtrack • 800 879-BALL • fax 800 234-0370

Propagation GUIDE

Upon Arrival

Grow your best with Mums Tools and Resources

01 Inspect Open boxes immediately and inspect cuttings.

03 Mist • During the first 24 hours, apply sufficient mist after sticking to rehydrate cuttings until leaves are no longer limp. • After first 24 hours, use the minimum mist that will prevent wilting. 04 Light • During hot, high-light periods, reduce light intensity to 1,500-2,500 foot-candles (fc) during first 2 days to help rehydrate cuttings. • Night interruption lighting of 10 fc (100 lux) from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. is recommended to keep cuttings vegetative and reduce premature budding. 05 Fertilize • Feed 2-3 times per week, 1-3 days after stick, at 200 to 250 ppm N or use a constant liquid feed of 100 ppm N. • Monitor pH and EC (electrical conductivity of fertilizer salts) to maintain appropriate ranges of each for good plant growth.

02 Stick • Use well-drained media with good aeration and moisture retention. • Stick as soon as possible into moist media (4 on a 1-5 scale) and water in, so soil is in contact with stems. • Using bottom heat, maintain media temperature between 70-74˚F (21-23˚C). Air temperature of 70‑80˚F (21-26˚C) is important to prevent flower initiation during rooting.

12

Optional rooting hormone recommended for slow or harder-to-root varieties. If desired, spray 100 to 200 ppm KIBA on cuttings the morning after stick or conduct a pre-stick basal dip of 1,000 to 1,500 ppm IBA. When spraying with KIBA, apply enough volume to run down the stem. Treat in both directions to ensure uniform application on sides of cutting. Reduce mist as soon as possible, beginning with a reduction during the night and pre-dawn period. Once callus starts to form, apply only enough mist to wet foliage and slightly increase soil moisture. Saturated soil will slow rooting due to excess callus formation.

PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS Daminozide (B-Nine) can be applied at 1,000 to 2,500 ppm. Apply first application on Day 7 after stick to reduce stretch; an additional application can be made on Day 14. Ethephon (Florel, Collate) can be applied at 350 to 500 ppm during propagation at Day 10 and 17. Results vary and can help prevent premature budding.

08 Manage Diseases • Botrytis is a serious problem when excess humidity is present. A fungicide application within 48 hours of sticking provides excellent disease control and promotes more uniform rooting. • Application of a pre‑transplant soil drench to liners to manage Pythium and other soil-borne diseases can enhance rapid establishment in final containers. 09 Plant by Day 21 If you need to hold liners after finish, continue normal feeding practices and avoid drought stress to reduce the chance of premature budding.

Rooting Out to Finish

Nick Flax, Tech Team member, visiting with Luis Munoz, grower at Ball Tagawa

06 Discontinue Mist Discontinue mist after 10-14 days, when roots

reach containers’ edges/bottoms. 07 Maintain Light

High light intensity will produce high‑quality liners. Maintain 3,500-4,000 fc once roots begin to form.

13

Order at ballseed.com/webtrack • 800 879-BALL • fax 800 234-0370

Finishing GUIDE

Rooted Liners Keep trays of rooted cuttings in a greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 65°F (20°C). Low temperatures can trigger premature flowering. Fertilize liners prior to planting with 300-400 ppm from 20-10-20 (or similar) to ensure strong growth after transplant. Planting • A lighter, well drained media is recommended. • Media pH in a soilless mix should be 5.8-6.4, a mineral field soil-based mix 6.0-6.5. • Fertilize immediately with 300-400 ppm N from 20‑10‑20 (or similar) to encourage rapid establishment. • If outdoor temps are cool (50-59°F/10-15°C), start plants in a greenhouse with night temperatures maintained between 60-69°F (15-20°C), with 65°F/18°C being ideal. Low night temperatures at planting can promote premature flower initiation. Pinching Modern varieties do not require pinching in natural season fall crops.

Irrigation Drip irrigation reduces the chance of developing foliar diseases, making it the best choice when growing garden mums. • When irrigating, apply enough water to thoroughly wet the soil mass and allow water to drip from the container. Fertilization Mums are heavy feeders, and early feeding is critical for their strong growth. Regular growing media testing is the best guide to determine the optimum fertilization program. • If substrate EC is low when moderate-to-high fertilizer rates are being used, this indicates that plants are actively taking up nutrients. Only increase feed rate/frequency if plants show symptoms of nutrient deficiency. • If substrate EC is high, this indicates that plants are not actively taking up fertilizer. Reduce fertilizer rates or application frequency and check roots for damage or disease symptoms.

14

Do not stress . Avoid wilting or keeping too wet. Never allow the plant to wilt during the early stages of production. Wilting can limit growth and reduce the overall plant size. Manage irrigation carefully , allowing thorough wet-to-dry cycles between watering/feeding events, to encourage development of a healthy, white and fuzzy root system.

TRACK YOUR CROP It is important to keep your crop on schedule. Fortunately, mums are an easy crop to track. Graph a straight line between initial plant height and desired height at finish. Each week, measure 5 plants in the primary block. • If they are below the line, feed them or use GA 4+7 (gibberellic acid)- based PGR (Fascination, Fresco). • If they are above the line, use a PGR to slow them down.

Finish Height

Reduce Feed B-Nine or Bonzi

Feed, or apply Fascination

Week

Height Control & Growth Regulators Note: Initial trials with all growth regulators are recommended. Daminozide (B-Nine) • Daminozide (B-Nine) foliar spray applications control height and produce darker, greener leaves and strong stems. • Apply 2,500-5,000 ppm when breaks are 1-2 in. long, to tone the plant and reduce stretch. A second application can be made 2 weeks later. • Daminozide (B-Nine) application after visible bud will delay flowering. Weekly application of Daminozide (B-Nine) up to the time of breaking color will delay the flowering by 1 week. • In greenhouse-forced Summer crops, apply at 5,000 ppm, 14-21 days after pinching, to control more vigorous varieties. Paclobutrazol (Bonzi) • Paclobutrazol (Bonzi) drenches of 1-4 ppm can provide very effective growth control. Apply the correct volume so that stunting does not occur. • Early crop applications require less ppm than later applications to get the same level of control. • Paclobutrazol (Bonzi) can also be sprayed with rates ranging from 30-50 ppm.

Feeding with Water-Soluble Fertilizers (WSF) • Apply ammonia (NH 4 )-based fertilizers with elevated phosphorous (P; 20-10-20, 20-20-20) during early crop development (weeks 1-4) at a rate of 250-350 ppm N. Replenish fertility reserves in the growing media during periods of persistent rain with high doses (300+ ppm N) of WSF as soon as possible once the rains let up. • Once established, avoid overapplication of NH 4 and P, which will result in stretched plants and soft growth. • When plants are approximately two-thirds to three‑fourths of the desired finished size, switch to a nitrate (NO 3 )-based fertilizer with reduced P (17-5-17, 15‑4‑15, 14-0-14) to tone and minimize stretch.

Feeding with Controlled- Release Fertilizers (CRF) • Supplemental applications of WSF might be needed to maintain fertility levels. • During high temperatures, CRFs can release rapidly, causing salt levels to spike and damage roots.

15

Order at ballseed.com/webtrack • 800 879-BALL • fax 800 234-0370

FINISHING GUIDE cont.

Root Rots Healthy roots are the first line of defense against rootzone diseases. The loss of roots early in the crop will significantly limit nutrient loading and plant size later in the crop cycle. Saturated soil, extreme wet-dry cycles or high salt levels will damage the roots, making them more susceptible to disease infection. Failure to control root rot can result in stunted plants. Preventative treatment for Pythium and other root diseases is recommended every 4 weeks. Pests and Diseases Integrated pest management (IPM) is the best defense against pests and diseases that affect mums. Scout crops daily for signs of pests or pathogens when assessing daily watering and feeding needs and review weekly bug counts to assess changes in pressure over time. Preventative management, early detection and swift reaction to pest and disease presence will minimize risk and subsequent crop losses. Growers should also scout for foliar diseases, including bacterial leaf spot and botrytis. Chrysanthemum white rust (CWR) is a USDA quarantinable pathogen and preventative fungicides should be applied to crops grown in higher-risk areas. Media pH Track pH throughout production using a 2:1, SME or PourThru method. • Low pH can cause iron (Fe) and/or manganese (Mn) to become overly available to plants in the growing media. Plants will take up excessive amounts of both, resulting in Fe/Mn toxicity. Typical symptoms include discoloration, dark splotching and necrosis on older growth. Correct low pH using a flowable lime product and adjust feed program to include a more basic fertilizer to help buffer media pH changes. • High pH reduces availability of Fe and Mn and can result in deficiency symptoms, including chlorosis, stunting of young shoots and necrosis (in severe cases) on upper foliage.

Ethephon (Florel, Collate) Ethephon (Florel, Collate) can be used to promote branching, prevent premature budding and delay flowering. Apply early in the crop cycle at a rate of 300-500 ppm. Effectiveness varies by variety. • Spray early or late-day, as slow dry time maximizes uptake and response. • Use low alkalinity (<60 ppm) water or increase ethephon (Florel, Collate) rate. • Reduce spray solution to pH <4 before adding ethephon (Florel, Collate). • Don’t pour ethephon (Florel, Collate) directly into tank. Use a funnel or put ethephon (Florel, Collate) in bag and empty into tank. • “Sprench” to cover plants. Common Growing Issues Premature Budding & Crown Bud Formation Several occurrences of cool nights (colder than 60°F/15°C) in late Spring and early Summer can trigger premature bud formation. This is not desirable and can cause plants to finish too small. If small buds are visible in the early stages of production, plants usually can still develop normally. Premature bud set can be minimized by limiting stress, applying adequate fertilizer amounts (fertility levels should be high) and not allowing plants to wilt. Early applications of 500 ppm Ethephon (Florel, Collate) 1 week after planting or immediately prior to a cold front passing through your area can help minimize premature bud set by helping to promote vegetative growth but does not abort buds once formed. Heat Delay Average daily temperature dictates the rate of development of a crop, but high night temperatures can cause heat delay. When night temperatures exceed 85°F/30°C, flowering cannot be initiated. Heat delay can affect the bloom date by up to 3 weeks. Night temperatures from July 20 until August 5 are the most critical for natural season mums. Some varieties are more sensitive than others.

16

Garden Mum Scheduling Natural Season

Natural Season Flower Timing NATURAL SEASON FLOWERING

AVERAGE NATURAL FLOWER DATE

Early

Before Sept. 18

Mid

Sept. 19 to 26

Late

Sept. 27 to Oct. 4

Very Late Oct. 5+ • Avoid planting all the flower timing classes in the same week for best crop uniformity Week 1: Plant the early varieties. Week 2: Plant the mid varieties. Week 3: Plant the late and very late varieties. • Chrysanthemums are short-day plants and will naturally initiate flowering in mid-July.

Natural Season Traditional Fall Transplanting Schedule

FINAL SPACING (ON CENTER)

POT SIZE PLANTS PER POT (PPP)

TRANSPLANT DATE

4”

1

Mid July

4 to 6”

6”

1

Early July

12 to 16”

Between first and fourth weeks of June

8 to 9”

1

18 to 24”

Plant 2 to 3 weeks later than 1PPP

8 to 9”

3

18 to 24”

Between first and fourth weeks of June

Approx 2x container diameter

12 to 16”

3 to 4

Fast Crop Fall Transplanting Schedule • Allows a later-than-normal start for a natural season program. • The key to a fast crop is to not inhibit the growth by stressing the plant in any way. Do not pinch. • Flowering will generally occur 4 to 7 days later than a June-planted crop. POT SIZE PLANTS PER POT (PPP) TRANSPLANT DATE

4”

1

Last week of July until August 12

6”

1

Mid July until late July

8 to 9”

2

July 10 until July 20

17

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