A Detailed Guide to Garland Chrysanthemum Planting Techniques and Management Methods

Garland chrysanthemum is a common vegetable; its leaves and stems can be eaten together, offering the fresh aroma of mugwort and the delicate fragrance of chrysanthemum, with a fresh, fragrant, crisp and tender taste. So, what are the garland chrysanthemum planting techniques and management methods?

1. Land preparation and bed making

The plot should be chosen with deep, loose and moist soil, rich in organic matter, convenient for drainage and irrigation, and with good water and fertilizer retention, preferably neutral or slightly acidic soil. Before sowing, apply base fertilizer first, broadcasting 50-60 kg of compound fertilizer per mu, or 2000 kg of organic fertilizer per mu. You can also apply 15 kg of urea, plus 25 kg of diammonium phosphate and 5-10 kg of potassium sulfate per mu, mixing the fertilizer thoroughly and evenly with the soil. When making beds, the bed width is generally required to be about 1.5-1.8 m, and the length can be flexibly controlled according to the actual situation of the greenhouse. Use a rake to break the soil up finely and level it, and then you can sow.

2. Seed soaking and germination promotion

Garland chrysanthemum seeds are botanically called achenes and have angular edges. Carry out germination promotion 3-4 days before sowing: soak the seeds in warm water at 30°C for 24 hours, then wash them and let them dry, and place them under conditions of 25°C to promote germination, washing them once a day; the seeds will sprout after 3-4 days and can then be sown.

3. Sowing at the right time

Because garland chrysanthemum plants are small and have a short growth period, they can be intercropped or relay cropped with other vegetables. In production, direct sowing, broadcast sowing, and drill sowing are all acceptable. For broadcast sowing, the seeding rate is generally 3-4 kg per mu. For drill sowing, the seeding rate is 1.5-2 kg per mu, which saves more seed. When drill sowing, the row spacing can be controlled at about 10 cm. If thinning and transplanting, the seeds can be sown more densely; if not transplanting, sow thinly to avoid wasting time and seeds. After sowing is completed, cover the seeds with a 1 cm layer of soil, level it with a flat rake, and then water thoroughly once. After that, water once every 10 days in winter and once every 7 days in summer.

4. Transplanting at the right time

Practice has proved that transplanting is a good method for cultivating garland chrysanthemum. Transplanted seedlings grow faster than directly sown seedlings and the plants are larger, and they can generally be harvested in about 20-25 days. When transplanting, use a sickle to lift the seedlings and place them in a prepared basin. Then transplant them into the prepared field, with a plant and row spacing of about 4-6 cm. After transplanting, water thoroughly once, and apply a nitrogen fertilizer once 20 days after transplanting.

Finally, when the garland chrysanthemum plants reach a height of about 20 cm and have 12-13 true leaves, begin harvesting; it should not be too late, so as not to affect quality. At harvest, use a sharp knife to cut them off at the base of the stem, leaving 2-3 leaves.