the only problem.. is that some say water roots are different than soil/media roots ... i would prefer some damp media.. with some 3 to 4 inch cuttings stuck in damp media.. in a plastic bag .... and i would sterilize the soil first.. and use a rooting compound with a fungicide that i happen to have laying around ... if i did water.. i would watch daily.. and as soon as i saw litle root nubs.. and i would replicate that above ... if your water is going that bad.. you are holding them in water too long... long medusa like roots are not going to transplant to media or soil too easily .. they may not get over the shock ... you can also change the water daily ... let me suggest.. you are not doing it often enough.. by the time you have a pond water experiment .. in the glass.. lol ... ken

I can't say enough good things about Angel Valley Heritage Mums. They sell rooted cuttings for around $1-$2 and each one will grow into a full size plant by blooming season. They probably sell about 200-300 different varieties and have special collections for cut flowers. The cutting mums are TALL (2-3 feet) and are much better than the cushion mums most people want for landscaping. Angel Valley is a small mom and pop business so they probably are not the best place if you have a big operation like some of the people on this forum, but for small businesses or home gardeners they are ideal. They don't have a web site but if you Google "Angel Valley Heritage Mums" you'll find where you can e-mail, call or write. Kirk

i used to collect local grown plants from around the neighborhood ... the ones that had been there for decades ... the real proven winners. ... with bigboxstore shipping plants in from all over the country.. you really cant be sure .. that what you buy ... is actually zone appropriate.. many are basically sold as large annuals ... back in the day.. i ordered $1 cuttings .. fifty of them ... lost about 50% the first winter.. 25% more the second.. and within 3 years.. was back to the old standards ... many are borderline z5 ... and i agree.. they are usually the more foo foo ones ... the further you get form the old standards of yellow.. red ... maroon ... they were less likely to survive ... they are extremely easy to root and grow out to a nice plant from spring to fall ... you could probably generate your own supply .. from those that survive in your area ... IMHO ... its more of a supply issue.. than an environmental issue .... ken

Irma, what a nice surprise, they are pretty! Silvia