Chrysanthemum planting time and method

Chrysanthemum is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Chrysanthemum of the Asteraceae family. It sometimes appears as a sub-shrub . There are many species, with various flower shapes and rich colors. Especially in late autumn, they bloom brilliantly without fear of frost, and therefore are widely loved by people. Chrysanthemum has strong adaptability to the environment, prefers a cool climate, and has a certain degree of cold resistance. Its optimal growth temperature range is approximately 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. Let’s learn the time and method of planting chrysanthemums.

1. Growth habits of chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums prefer plenty of sunlight, can tolerate a little shade, and are relatively drought-resistant, but do not like waterlogging. They like a dry environment and are suitable for growing in sandy loam that is deep, rich in humus, loose, fertile and well-drained. Chrysanthemums grow best in slightly acidic to neutral soil, with an optimum pH range of 6.2 to 6.7. Chrysanthemum seedlings need to be repotted 2 to 3 times during the seedling stage. After planting, you can use a soil mixture of 6 parts of leaf mold, 3 parts of sand and 1 part of cake fertilizer residue. After watering thoroughly, place the plant in a cool place first, and then move it to a sunny place after it grows normally.

2. Watering Guide

The amount of watering should be less in spring. Due to the hot weather in summer, sufficient watering is necessary. It is recommended to water once in the early morning and evening, and spray water on the branches and leaves and the surrounding ground appropriately to increase the environmental humidity.

Control the amount of watering appropriately before the beginning of autumn. Increase the amount of watering after the beginning of autumn and before the fall of frost. Strictly control watering in winter.

3. Fertilization Tips

When planting, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied in the pot. After that, apply nitrogen fertilizer every 10 days. After the beginning of autumn, apply liquid fertilizer once a week from the time when chrysanthemums bud to when they appear. When the flower buds are about to bloom, apply concentrated fertilizer water once, and then stop fertilizing. If the chrysanthemums can be fertilized with superphosphate or 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution at this time, the flowers will be more colorful.

4. Reproduction Methods

Chrysanthemums are usually propagated by division and cuttings at home.

1. Division method: After the chrysanthemum blooms in autumn and winter, cut off the old stems, and many buds will grow next to the old roots. Around the Qingming Festival of the following year, dig out the mother plant and divide it into several small plants according to the condition of the roots. Each plant must have a bud, and then plant them separately.

2. Cutting method: Usually between May and June, cut 10 cm long branches with 2 to 4 nodes from the old plants of the previous year as cuttings. Cut off half of the lower and upper leaves, cut the lower part of the branch flat and insert it into the substrate (usually a mixture of garden soil and rice husk ash), water it thoroughly and provide shade. At a temperature of 18 to 21°C, roots will take shape in about 15 to 20 days.

3. Light control: Chrysanthemum is a short-day plant, and the daily light time should not exceed 10 hours to promote flowering. If you want it to bloom early, you need to control the sunlight time. At an air temperature of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, if the sunshine is controlled within 8 to 10 hours a day, the plant can bud and bloom within 2 to 2.5 months. The best time to shade is in the morning and evening.

4. Adjust the flowering period: Starting from early September, add 3 hours of lighting to the chrysanthemums around midnight every day until late October, so that the chrysanthemums can bloom around New Year's Day. If you want to delay flowering, you can continue to turn on the lights at night so that the chrysanthemums will not bloom until the Spring Festival. As winter approaches, the plants need to be moved indoors to prevent frostbite.

In short, in the process of growing chrysanthemums, you need to pay attention to some maintenance matters. When the chrysanthemum plant grows to 10 cm in height, you should start pinching the top of the plant, leaving only 4 to 5 leaves at the base and removing all the upper leaves. When 5 to 6 new leaves grow, pinch off the top again so that the plant retains 4 to 7 main branches. Any branches and buds that grow later should also be removed in time. Pinching helps the plant branch and effectively controls the height and shape of the plant. When pinching for the last time, perform shaping pruning, removing excessive branches, overly vigorous branches, and overly weak branches, and only retain 3 to 5 branches. When buds appear in September, the buds at the bottom of the plant should be picked off, leaving only one bud at the top of each branch.