Chrysanthemum planting methods and key technical points
AbstractChrysanthemums should be planted in loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil. Appropriate amounts of phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer can be applied as base fertilizer. If the leaves are small and yellow, urea can be sprayed in an appropriate amount. From the Beginning of Autumn to the flowering stage, sufficient fertilizer and water must be ensured, and additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be applied appropriately to extend the flowering period. Water control is very important for potted chrysanthemums. When chrysanthemums are growing vigorously, they should be repotted. Later, according to the growth situation, pinch the tips in time to promote side branches. During the strong seedling stage, axillary buds should be removed appropriately. During the bud stage, side buds should be pruned off.
1. Choose soil
When growing chrysanthemums in pots, the soil mix should preferably be loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil. Therefore, you can use soil from decayed plants: garden soil: river sand in a ratio of 4:4:2. If conditions allow, the soil mix can be sterilized.
2. Fertilize regularly
1. When cultivating chrysanthemums, improper fertilization during this period can easily lead to excessive vegetative growth. If too much fertilizer is applied, it will cause tall plants with sparse leaves. Therefore, the base fertilizer should preferably use phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. Later topdressing should not be too early. If leaves are small and thin and the leaf color turns yellow, a 0.1% urea solution can be sprayed appropriately several times until the leaf color returns to green.
2. If symptoms of phosphorus and potassium deficiency appear, a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be sprayed. After the Beginning of Autumn and before flowering, sufficient fertilizer and water must be ensured, and the concentration should be gradually increased. Additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be applied appropriately, which can make the flower colors brighter and extend the flowering period.
3. Control water appropriately
If you want chrysanthemums to grow with dense nodes, plump leaves, a short and sturdy habit, and without bare lower stems, water control during this period is crucial. When watering potted chrysanthemums, do so at the right time and in the right amount. Even during the vigorous growth period, it is only necessary to spray the leaves once with water in the morning and once in the evening each day.
4. Transplant at the right time
1. Throughout the entire growth stage of chrysanthemums, generally 2-3 repottings are needed. During the seedling stage, they can be transplanted into small pots with a diameter of about 12 cm for care. During the strong seedling stage, they can be transplanted into pots with a diameter of about 15 cm for cultivation. Before flower bud differentiation, they can be transplanted into pots with a diameter of about 20 cm for cultivation.
2. During this period, fertilizer can be applied according to the growth situation, which is beneficial for supplementing the nutrients needed at each growth stage. When cultivating, never use a large pot for small seedlings or a small pot for large seedlings. Later, if vigorous branch and leaf growth is observed, some fibrous roots and old soil can be removed.
5. Pinch the tips in time
Pinching the tips in time can promote more side branches and also effectively lower plant height. For potted plants, the number and timing of pinching can be determined by different shaping styles. Generally, 4-7 chrysanthemum flowers are retained. After the chrysanthemum seedlings are planted, pinch the tips while retaining 4-5 leaves. When the side branches grow 4-5 leaves, keep 2-3 leaves on each side branch, and then carry out the second pinching.
6. Remove buds and thin flower buds
During the strong seedling stage of chrysanthemums, many axillary buds will sprout. At this time, they need to be pinched off promptly with your fingers; otherwise, they will consume a large amount of nutrients and produce many small side branches, making the chrysanthemum plant look messy. During the bud stage of chrysanthemums, if side buds appear on the small branches below the terminal bud, they need to be pruned off early, which is beneficial for promoting the growth and enlargement of the terminal bud.