VOA慢速英语:In the Garden: Getting the Most Out of Mums

People have grown chrysanthemums for more than two thousand years. Chinese and other Asian cultures make tea with the flowers. But mums also make bright and colorful gardens.
人类种植菊花已有超过2,000年的历史了。中国和其他亚洲国家通常使用花来制作茶叶。但是菊花还可以使花园色彩鲜艳明亮。

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 than the florist mum.
一种基本的菊花品种叫做花园菊花，另外一种基本的品种叫做花店菊花。花园菊花比花店菊花更能够适应不同的生长环境。

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.
菊花有许多种类。装饰类的菊花在花园中经常看到。另外一种流行的种类，毛刺型菊花，有着长长的直立的花瓣，像管子或针。

Chrysanthemum blooms can be white, yellow, gold, red or other colors. The plants often grow to one meter in height.
菊花的花可以是白色，黄色，金色，红色或者其他颜色。植株通常可以生长到一米。

The soil should be kept moist but well drained so it does not get too wet.
土壤必须保持湿润，但是必须有良好的排水条件，这样就不会太湿。

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. In dry conditions they will need more water.
新种植的菊花应每周浇水两至三次，依情况而定。种植在地面的植株一般情况下只需正常的降雨就可以了。在干燥的情况下可能需要更多的水。

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.
菊花在充足的阳光照射下生长最好。当白天变短，夜间变长时，就会开出色彩鲜艳的花朵。植株的生命周期取决于日照时间。所以专家建议不要将菊花放置在夜灯和路灯附近。灯光会影响植株的正常生长周期。植株和过早开花。

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.
在气温下降到冰点以下时，应在预期的第一次霜冻来临之前至少六周种植菊花。这样，植株可以很好地适应寒冷的环境。

Placing mulch around the plants can protect them from the cold. Doug Akers from the cooperative extension service at Purdue University in Indiana suggests straw or shredded leaves for the mulch. The material will also add nutrients to the soil.
在植株周围覆盖地膜可以保护菊花免受冻害。印第安纳普度大学合作推广服务的Doug Akers建议使用稻草或碎叶作为地膜。这种材料还可以向土壤中增加营养。

Some gardeners say the most beautiful presentation comes from planting mums close together. But they also advise leaving enough space between the plants so air can flow. If not, the chance of disease may increase.
一些园艺家表示，最漂亮的种植方式是将菊花紧密地种植在一起。但是他们还建议在植株之间留出足够的空间，以便空气流通。否则，菊花患病害的几率会增加。

To get more blooms, gardeners pinch back the branches when new growth has extended to fifteen centimeters. Squeeze about five to seven centimeters off each branch. Pinch again when a branch grows another twelve to fifteen centimeters. Stop pinching about one hundred days before you want the plants to bloom.
为了使开花数量更多，园艺家们经常在新枝长到15厘米时进行摘心。每根枝条剪掉5至7厘米。如果枝条又生长了12至15厘米，再进行摘心。你希望植株开花的100天之前就要停止。