How often should potted chrysanthemums be watered? Care methods to extend the flowering period of chrysanthemums
The noble character of chrysanthemums blooming proudly against the frost has always been admired by people, and since ancient times chrysanthemums have been loved by many. At present, many flowers and plants on the market have relatively limited functions, making it hard to meet the public's needs. But chrysanthemums not only have high ornamental value, they also have many uses, and in medicine they can clear heat and detoxify. But if you want to grow chrysanthemums well, mastering the way you water them is also very important.
How to water potted chrysanthemums (how often to water)
1. Choosing the water
Do not use just any water; use water with few minerals, such as river water, pond water, or rainwater you have stored yourself. If none of these is easy to obtain, you can use sun-exposed tap water.
2. Water temperature
The water temperature also has requirements; it needs to be almost the same as the soil temperature. Generally, in winter you should water at noon when the water is relatively warm, while in summer morning and evening are better.
3. Specific method
Watering still needs to be decided according to the situation. If the soil has turned white, we can water it. If the pot is already very wet, then we cannot keep watering, because if it is often in a moist state, it cannot grow well.
When the temperature is especially high and it is very dry, water loss is also greater, so you need to water 1-2 times a day; on rainy days or when the temperature is relatively low, you should reduce watering or not water at all. In addition, when watering, if mud splashes on the leaves, we should wash it off with water, otherwise the leaves can easily drop.
How to extend the flowering period of chrysanthemums
1. Sunlight
Generally we are talking about autumn chrysanthemums, whose flowering period is between October and December, and they need short-day sunlight. If we provide relatively short daylight, their flowering time will come earlier, so cover them so they do not get sunlight at all times, and let them receive only eight hours of light each day; continue this for more than two months and they can bloom.
2. Temperature
Influencing its flowering through temperature is also a method, because temperature has a relatively large effect on its growth. So it can absolutely be relied on to extend the flowering period. We know that its relatively suitable temperature is between 18 and 21, while flower bud differentiation is at around 15 degrees. After we wait for the buds to grow out and the color to show, we can control its temperature between zero degrees and 5 degrees, and in this way the flowering period can be extended by about one month.
3. Pinching
Pinching is another method. This is mainly to keep its branches from growing blindly, and it is good for branching, so flowering will be more vigorous. If we pinch in late August or early September, it can bloom two months later, and if the pinching is done earlier, the flowering time will also be earlier. Generally, for the same variety that has been pinched, the flowering period is extended by about ten days.
How to fertilize chrysanthemums
Habits: Chrysanthemums like fertilizer, but if fertilizing is improper, it will make chrysanthemums grow leggy. So when applying base fertilizer to chrysanthemums, you can use potassium and phosphorus fertilizer as the main fertilizers. The fertilizing time should not be too early either; you can choose the period from the Start of Autumn to before the plant blooms, and during this time you must ensure the chrysanthemum has sufficient fertilizer and water. When fertilizing, you can gradually increase the concentration of the fertilizer.
When repotting: Add an appropriate amount of fertilizer to the soil, which can make the chrysanthemum grow more healthily, but note that the size of the pot should be determined by the plant, and it should not be too large or too small. The flower pot can be changed to a larger pot little by little as the plant gradually grows.
Seedling stage: The amount of fertilizer needed is relatively small, and you can fertilize once every week plus one or two days, applying dilute liquid fertilizer; during its growth period, as the seedlings slowly grow, the fertilizer needed also increases. At this time you can increase the frequency of fertilizing, about once every 5 to 7 days; and by July to August, when the temperature is higher, you should appropriately reduce fertilizing, so that the chrysanthemums in the growth period can safely get through summer; from September to October, the temperature gradually drops, and this is also the period of the plant's most vigorous growth, so while increasing the frequency of fertilizing you can also increase its concentration.
How to take chrysanthemum cuttings
1. First choose the cutting branch. Choose a relatively robust chrysanthemum, then break off a branch from it. Generally, break it from the center, then keep the upper half of the branch, and cut it to a length of about 0.2 m.
2. The chosen branch needs to keep a small leaf bud on it, and the top of the branch must also keep its terminal bud. Then place the chosen branch into diluted rooting powder to soak, for about 120 minutes.
3. Prepare the soil. Generally choose soil that contains relatively more nutrients, then put it into the prepared flower pot, then water it to soak the soil, then use a column-shaped object to poke a small hole in the soil, about 7 cm deep, then insert the chosen branch, and then firm the soil around the branch.
4. After firming the branch, water again with a small amount of water. The branch area also needs to be sprinkled with water, then place it in a ventilated and shady place to root.
Chrysanthemums have strong growth vigor and very strong sprouting ability, but chrysanthemums still have a great need for water during the growing process. Only by watering chrysanthemums reasonably can they grow better. One point that needs special attention is to avoid washing away the roots and stems when watering.