What does your job involve?
I have specialised in Chrysanthemum growing since 1975 and am the chairman of the Chryson association, a club for the promotion of Chrysanthemums to which all growers and breeders belong. They have collaborated in Chryson for six years, promoting the flower.

What makes your work interesting?
We are hard at work trying to improve Chrysanthemum’s ‘old fashioned’ image.  Today’s Chrysanthemum is a fantastic styling product with huge and varied potential; something that was confirmed at the London Fashion Week, where Chrysanthemums were used in some fabulous masterpieces. The flower was also predominantly featured in a fashion show by well-known Dutch designer Edwin Oudshoorn, held at the ‘Keukenhof’ in Lisse.

What is the attraction of the Chrysanthemum?
The Chrysanthemum is available all year round in many different varieties, from single and spray to spider and anemone flowered. It is a strong flower with a long vase life and is easy to dye, e.g. blue and various shades of orange. Major fashion centres like Milan and Paris appear to appreciate these fancy colours.

What is the latest trend?
The Anastasia type, a spider shaped variety in the disbudded assortment, is currently extremely popular with consumers. Recent years have also shown an increase in exports of disbudded Chrysanthemums to Eastern Europe, including Russia and Poland. However, interest in the other varieties is also on the increase in Western European countries such as England and Germany.

What can the florist do with Chrysanthemums?
Chrysanthemums are perfect for creating trendy, innovative bouquets. They also look good in a vase combined with some decorative greenery.   For more ideas go to www.justchrys.com

Polka dots– Fluorescent green dots in a sugar sweet bouquet. Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp spray santini 'Hilda' (21023), Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp spray santini Adora (27147), Viburnum tinus per stem other (6267), Ranunculus other (269), Dianthus standard other (489) and Tulipa Double Late Grp double ‘Orange Princess’ (6556).	Rough pillow – Rounded lines and a sweet pink colour contrast with the spiky exterior. Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp spray glasshouse 'Katinka' (22848), Cordyline fruticosa 'Red Edge' (9183) and Dracaena marginata 'Rainbow' (22192).

Matreshka (100931) – Bicoloured, flamed, with a contrasting pale green heart.	‘Ibis Lime’ (100872) –  In-turned petals colour from pale green to shining white.

Palm Green (103160) – Plain green flower gives a lovely uniform look.	'Anastasia Green' (25277) – Fresh green flower that seems to be preening its feathers.

Sashet (102033) – Attractive tubular flower with a striking pale green heart.	Roma Red (103178) – Fiery red petals.

Green lizard (103432) – Flower in subtle shades of green, darker on the underside.

Tip: Remove leaves
  Cut a 3cm piece off the stems before putting the flowers into fresh water. Do not crush or just break off the stem. Chrysanthemums will have a longer vase life if you use a really clean vase, fresh water and cut flower food. Remove the lower leaves so that they cannot hang in the water and contaminate it.