When to Sow Chrysanthemum Seeds? Detailed Guide to Sowing Time and Methods

Chrysanthemums have been cultivated in China for a very long time. Since ancient times, some books have contained records about them. They are a flower variety that combines ornamental and practical value. At present, many people grow chrysanthemums, but most people, before planting, surely want to have a comprehensive understanding of their cultivation techniques!

When to Sow Chrysanthemum Seeds

Chrysanthemum seeds can be sown in both autumn and spring. The seeds need light to germinate, so cover them with a thin layer of soil, or no soil at all; place the pot in a bright spot. If the temperature is low, you can cover the pot opening with a layer of plastic wrap to keep it warm and also retain moisture. They bloom in summer, at about 7500 seeds/gram, with an optimum germination temperature of 18~22°C. They need light, and germination takes 12~16 days.

Sowing Methods for Chrysanthemum Seeds

1. Soil selection: When sowing chrysanthemums, choose loose soil rich in organic matter, and apply a certain amount of decomposed organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer before sowing.

2. Sowing method: When sowing chrysanthemums, mix the seeds evenly with a certain amount of sand and scatter them evenly over the seedbed, then cover with about one cm of soil.

3. Post-sowing management: After sowing chrysanthemums, keep the soil moist. Germination occurs when the temperature is kept at around 18°C. Ensure sufficient temperature, air humidity and sunlight.

4. Timely transplanting: When the chrysanthemum seedlings grow 4 to 5 true leaves, they can be transplanted into nutrient pots and pinched. During the seedling growth period, no additional topdressing is needed, so as to avoid excessive vegetative growth of branches and leaves that would affect flowering.

How to Fertilize and Water Chrysanthemums

1. Fertilizing:

1. Chrysanthemums love fertilizer, but improper fertilization will cause them to grow excessively. Therefore, when applying base fertilizer to chrysanthemums, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers can be used as the main fertilizers. Do not fertilize too early; you can choose the period from the Start of Autumn to before the plant blooms. During this time, be sure to provide the chrysanthemums with sufficient fertilizer and water. When fertilizing, you can gradually increase the concentration of the fertilizer.

2. At the small seedling stage of chrysanthemums, the amount of fertilizer needed is relatively small. You can fertilize once every week plus one or two days, using dilute fertilizer. During its growth period, as the seedlings gradually grow, the fertilizer needed also increases. At this time, you can increase the frequency of fertilizing, about once every 5 to 7 days. From July to August, when the temperature is higher, reduce fertilizing appropriately so that the growing chrysanthemums can safely pass through summer. From September to October, as the temperature gradually drops, this is also the period of most vigorous plant growth. While increasing the frequency of fertilizing, you can also increase its concentration.

2. Watering:

1. When the temperature is especially high and it is very dry, moisture loss is also greater, so we need to water it once or twice a day.

2. When the temperature is relatively low, or on cloudy and rainy days, we should water much less, and can simply choose not to water. If there is very heavy rain, we should pour out the water in the potting soil and not let it be soaked in water, which would cause rot and death.

3. If it is a newly repotted pot, then the first watering must be sufficient.

4. During its seedling stage, we should not water it too much; but if it has grown larger and the temperature is getting higher, we should water it more. Generally, the reason for controlling it in the early stage is to manage its height, while afterward the main goal is to make the flower buds grow well.

Methods for Shaping and Pruning Chrysanthemums

Pinching in time can promote the growth of side branches and lower the plant height. Because the artistic shapes of chrysanthemums differ, the pinching time and frequency for potted plants also differ. In northern regions, ordinary home potted chrysanthemums generally keep 4—7 flowers. After the chrysanthemum seedlings are planted out, pinch again while keeping 4—5 leaves, and when their side branches grow 4—5 leaves, keep 2—3 leaves on each side branch and carry out a second pinching.

There are many times for planting chrysanthemums; both spring and autumn are fine, and you can choose the planting time according to your own circumstances. Before planting, you need to do a good job of preparing the soil ratio, and then sow at the appropriate time. After planting, management needs to be strengthened so as to ensure the survival rate of the chrysanthemums.