How hardy are Chrysanthemums?

[sandersj89]

How hardy are Chrysanthemums?

Having over wintered and now successfully getting cuttings to strike I have about 50 Chrysanthemums in pots in cold frames at night.

The earlier cuttings have grown to about 12inches and I have stopped them out, will do the rest as they come on in size.

However, they are taking up a lot of room. Last night at the allotment I noticed some people have already planted theirs out in the ground.

In Sussex I am sure we have not had our last frost yet so I was a little surprised. This is only my second year with them and I only started in July last year with them so did not have this problem before.

So how hardy are they? Will they be OK out in the ground now and will they be OK in a light frost? I can fleece if need be.

Thanks

Jerry

[sandersj89]

[kenkew]

Not grown them for years but when I did my planting out time was mid-May and the advice I got and acted on was to put a poly sheet on poles over the whole site. This was more to prevent damaging winds but I suppose it helped with frost too.
I'd be tempted to a bit of caution, you've spent so much time and care getting 'em this far.

[ACE]

If  inside space is a problem and we all need extra this time of year. Try making your own cheap plastic sheeting cloches. Double hoops of wire about 3m apart and go as long as your plot or until the plastic runs out. They warm the soil and protect your delicate young plants and are easily stowed away until next year.

[Merry Tiller]

Mine have been outside in the coldframe for a couple of weeks now & I'll be planting out in 2 or 3 weeks time.
They will take a touch of frost without being killed off completely but it would knock back the new buds that have formed since I stopped them. I think the answer is that they just need a bit of vigilance with the old fleece for a couple more weeks.

[skypilot]

Most of my allotment friends have had their chrysanths out for two weeks now, here in Dundee. I put mine out a couple of days ago and their still OK.

[sandersj89]

Thanks all, I was going to try and get them out this weekend but not had a chance.

They will be planted out with a week or two now. Just have to deal with a bit of white rust on some forst! Grrrrrr

Jerry