VOA慢速英语:Really, It's OK to Pinch Mums

People have been growing chrysanthemums for more than two thousand years. Mums make bright and colorful gardens. People in China and other Asian cultures make tea with the flowers. Giacomo Puccini, the great Italian composer, even named one of his works after chrysanthemums, "Crisantemi."
人类种植菊花的已有超过两千多年历史。菊花让花园更加鲜艳和色彩缤纷。中国和亚洲其它国家使用菊花制茶。伟大的意大利作曲家Giacomo Puccini甚至将他的作品之一命名为《菊花》 。

(MUSIC: Manhattan String Quartet)

One basic kind of mum is the hardy or garden mum. The other basic kind is the florist mum. The garden mum is better able to handle different growing conditions.
菊花的一个基本品种是寒菊,或叫园艺菊，另一种基本品种是切花菊。园艺菊能够更好的在不同的环境中生长。

There are many varieties of mums. The decorative mum is often seen in gardens. Another popular type, the quill mum, has long, straight petals like a tube or needle.
菊花的种类有很多。园林中常见的观赏菊。另一中常见的品种是翎毛菊，其花瓣像针管般细直。

Chrysanthemum blooms can be white, yellow, gold, red or other colors. The plants often grow one meter high.
菊花盛开时，可以是白色，黄色，金色，红色或其他颜色。它们通常能长到一米高。

The soil for chrysanthemums should be kept moist but well drained so it does not get too wet.
种植菊花的土壤应保持湿润，但应保持排水良好以免过于潮湿。

Newly planted mums should be watered two or three times a week, depending on conditions. Plants established in the ground may do well just with normal rainfall.
新种下的菊花应该根据实际情况每周浇水2至3次。他们在正常降雨条件下就能生长得很好。

Mums grow best in full sunshine. They produce colorful blooms when days get shorter and nights get longer. The life cycle of the plant depends on the amount of daylight. This is why experts advise against placing mums near nightlights or streetlights. The light may interfere with their normal growth cycle. The plants may develop buds too soon.
菊花在阳光充足时生长最好。当白天变短，黑夜变长时，它们就会开出五颜六色的花朵。菊花的生长周期取决于日照时间。所以专家建议不要把菊花放在夜灯或路灯附近。灯光会干扰其正常生长周期，导致花蕾提前开放。
 

In climates where temperatures fall below freezing, plant mums at least six weeks before the first frost is expected. That way, the plants will be well established for cold weather.
当在零度以下的气候条件时，应在预计霜降前的6个星期种植菊花。通过这种方式，菊花就能更好地适应寒冷天气。

Placing mulch around the plants can protect them from the cold. Consider using straw or shredded leaves for the mulch. The material will also add nutrients to the soil.
在菊花周围防止覆盖物可以帮他们防寒。可以考虑使用稻草或碎叶作为覆盖物。这些覆盖物同时能增加土壤养分。

Some gardeners say the most beautiful presentation comes from planting mums close together. But be sure to leave enough space to let air flow between the plants. If not, there may be a greater chance of disease.
一些园丁称，菊花并拢一起种植最漂亮，但一定要留下足够的空间，能让空气流通。否则，菊花患病的几率可能会更大。

To get more blooms, gardeners pinch back the branches when new growth has reached fifteen centimeters. Squeeze about five to seven centimeters off each branch. Pinch it again when a branch grows another twelve to fifteen centimeters. Stop the pinching about one hundred days before you want the plants to bloom.
为了获得更多花朵，当新枝长至15厘米时，园丁会进行剪枝。每个分枝剪去5至7厘米。当枝条再长12至15厘米时再次进行修剪。在你希望的花期前约100天就要停止修剪。