Chrysanthemum

A member of the family, Asteraceae, the scientific name of our flower is Chrysanthemum morifolium. Our chrysanthemum has many common names. They are sometimes referred to as "China mums" in reference to its origins, and sometimes "Football mums," to suggest an American usage of chrysanthemums for football homecoming games (the first home football game of the season). Mums are also referred to as disbuds, and in Canada, they are often referred to as "commercials."

The first accounts of cultivated mums dates back to 1500 B.C. in China. They were introduced to Japan around 700 A.D., where it was eventually adopted as the emperor's official seal.

In Japan, chrysanthemums are said to symbolize happiness and a long life.

Chrysanthemums naturally flower in the fall, when the shorter days trigger flower bud formation. However, in commercial chrysanthemum production, the flowers are "tricked" into blooming year round. This is done by planting every week, and artificially re-creating the course of a season for each individual crop, through all stages of the flower development. This is done by lengthening and then shortening the days for the particular crop, and providing additional wintertime heat.

Once the flower is harvested, the soil is steam sterilized, and a new flower is planted. All this ensures a year round supply of chrysanthemums.

Matsumoto Aster

Asters are another member of the Asteraceae family. Matsumoto Asters (Callistephus chinensis) are a cultivar of aster, bred to be beautiful and disease resistant. They flower naturally in the summer and early fall, but need additional light to flower in the winter. Unlike our chrysanthemums, Matsumoto asters are not disbudded, and grow in a spray formation. Like the chrysanthemums, they are planted weekly, and once harvested, are planted again.

Gerbera Daisy

Gerberas are yet another member of the Asteraceae family. The genus was named in honor of the German naturalist Traugott Gerber, a friend of botanist, Carolus Linnaeus. There are a dizzying range of varieties and colors of gerberas; we will be growing 20 varieties. Gerberas are planted once every two to three years on average, and once cut, will continue to produce flowers given the proper care.

Gerberas mark our first foray into hydroponic growing methods, and it has been fascinating journey. Our eyes have been opened to the trails being blazed in the floral growing community, and to the possibilities of improving all our flower production.