Don’t miss amazing mums at society’s flower show

Come to the Chrysanthemum Flower Show and see mums beyond description. I am always amazed at the mums the Las Vegas Chrysanthemum Society grows and displays. The show runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Nevada Garden Club Center, 3333 W. Washington Ave.

The show is free, and be sure to bring the camera for some fabulous pictures, said Barbara Roe, a mum enthusiast. "If you love certain mums, write down the name then come to our spring sale to purchase those favorites. You also get quality mums proven for the valley," she added.

Mum society members will be on hand to answer your questions.

The society uses money from sales for educational programs and exhibits such as this show. If you want to enter your mums in the show or for more information, call 459-4633.

This year, the society will have a drawing for a beautiful handmade wall hanging. A society member made it, and it comes complete with a hanging rod you'll finish to match your decor. Get your tickets at the show. You need not be present to win.

Roe offers advice for caring for mums going into next spring.

Extend lives of cut blooms: Chrysanthemum blooms usually last about a week, said Roe, but you can extend their lives. After cutting the blooms from the plant, remove another inch off the stems, making the cuts underwater. This removes an air bubble that develops within the stems, preventing uptake of water. Change the water and recut the stems again underwater every few days. To further extend the lives of blooms, purchase a product called "shock treatment" from a pool supply distributor and add a scant 1/8 teaspoon to fresh water in your vase each time you change the water. Finally, remove any leaves that will be underwater in the vase.

Winter care of mums: Once blooms die back, remove bloom heads and you may see new lateral branches growing there. If our weather stays warm, these laterals can develop buds to enjoy more blooms into January. After a hard frost, cut the plants back by one-third.

In late January, give mums a light feeding of an all-purpose fertilizer, using half the dosage to stimulate new growth for your next crop of mums. Continue feedings monthly through the summer.

Divide mums: Roe concluded that you need to divide mums every three to four years to avoid overcrowding and promote maximum flowering or if clumps have dead spots within them. When new shoots get 3 inches tall, dig up entire clumps and divide off new starts. Plant starts in an organically improved soil. You'll end up with starts to give to friends.

INDOOR HERB GARDEN

Master gardener Helen Brown offers advice for growing herbs indoors: "You can grow herbs indoors if you keep in mind they are basically outdoor plants."

Most homes, especially during the winter, are too hot, too dry and too stuffy for herbs. Give your herbs conditions like you enjoy.

• They prefer temperatures below 70 degrees.

• Provide extra humidity by putting pans of water near plants or in rock-filled trays.

• Provide herbs with at least five to six hours of light daily from your grow lights. You can open your blinds -- it doesn't make any difference. If the light is coming from grow lights, other room lighting won't be important.

• All herbs need is a pot that will give their roots at least 6 inches of room. The only one that is different is parsley. Its roots grow at least a foot deep.

• Be sure each pot has a drainage hole.

• Water whenever the soil surface feels dry and spray plants daily with water. Use tap water that has sat overnight at room temperature to eliminate chlorine.

• Feed plants monthly or not at all if dormant. Fish emulsion works best, but if the smell is not to your liking, use a houseplant fertilizer.

• Never let your herbs flower. Cut them back or they may go leggy, get woody and not produce leaves you need for culinary use.

• Space plants for good air circulation to prevent disease.

If these requirements are satisfied, they will grow.

Herbs you have problems finding can be started as seeds now, and if you need more, plant in February.

If possible, move herbs outdoors in March, because that's what they like best.

Linn Mills writes a gardening column each Sunday. You can reach him at linn.mills@springspreserve.org or call him at 822-7754.