The Latest Cultivation Methods for Potted Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum cultivation methods generally use root division propagation, cutting propagation and layering propagation. Root division propagation is best done in April to May; cutting propagation requires taking pest-free, healthy branches as cuttings, the soil should not be too wet when cutting, and a cutting depth of 5-7 cm is most suitable; layering propagation is best done on cloudy and rainy days. The first time, around Minor Heat, first press the chrysanthemum branches down, cover them firmly with wet mud every 10cm and pinch off the tips, so that new shoots emerge from the leaf axils of the tips; the second time, around Major Heat, press down the newly grown shoots in the same way as the first time, and apply one round of decomposed human manure and urine, then pinch the tops around End of Heat.

1. Temperature:

For potted chrysanthemums, the suitable growing temperature is around 21 degrees Celsius. Ornamental chrysanthemums are also cold-tolerant and can overwinter safely at around 5 degrees Celsius. But they are not tolerant of heat, and growth slows when the temperature rises above 32 degrees Celsius.

2. Light:

Chrysanthemums are typical short-day flowers; only when the daily sunshine is relatively short do they form flower buds and bloom. Under longer sunshine, they only grow stems and leaves and cannot form flower buds. Generally, during the vegetative growth period they need 14.5 hours of sunshine per day, and during the flower bud differentiation period they need 12 hours of sunshine per day.

3. Soil:

Ornamental chrysanthemums have fairly wide adaptability to soil acidity and alkalinity. They can grow in soils from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, with a pH between 5.5-7.0. For potted chrysanthemums, suitable potting soil should be chosen; the potting soil should be loose, fertile and sandy.

4. Water:

Ornamental chrysanthemums have a relatively large demand for water, but are afraid of waterlogging. Especially during the vegetative growth period, growth is fast and water demand is high. They easily become short of water. Water frequently. But be careful not to let water accumulate.

5. Fertilizing:

When fertilizing, be sure to first scatter the fertilizer on top, then water thoroughly, so that the fertilizer can fully seep into the chrysanthemum's root system along with the water; only then will it be absorbed by the chrysanthemums.

6. Pinching and bud thinning:

When the chrysanthemum plant grows to more than 10 cm tall, begin pinching. When pinching, keep only 4-5 leaves at the base of the plant and remove all the upper leaves. Later, when new shoots grow from the leaves and have 5-6 leaves, pinch out the growing tip again, so that the plant retains 4-7 main branches; branches and buds that grow later should be removed promptly.

So how should we care for chrysanthemums in this season?

(1) Reasonable watering

Whether watering is reasonable has an important bearing on how well chrysanthemums grow. Watering should be done at the right time. Chrysanthemums must be watered sufficiently to grow well and produce large, brightly colored flowers. The need for water is even greater after the flower buds appear.

(2) Appropriate fertilizing

Before fertilizing, first loosen the soil a little; do not water, and apply the fertilizer solution when the potting soil is relatively dry. When fertilizing, never let the fertilizer water touch the branches and leaves, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and withered. After fertilizing, promptly spray clean water on the seedlings with a spray bottle to wash off the fertilizer solution clinging to the leaves.

(3) Careful pruning

To make chrysanthemums grow evenly and keep their branches upright, stakes are often set up. Thin bamboo or reed stems are commonly used as stakes, and the chrysanthemum branches are tied to the stakes with thin string, with one stake for each branch. (After the flower buds open, white-flowered and green-flowered varieties should be moved to a shaded place, or other measures should be taken to provide shade protection, which can keep the flower color fresh green; otherwise the flower color will be off. For dark-colored flowers when the buds are opening, strong light is needed, and some organic liquid fertilizer should be added, which can make the flower color rich and vivid.)

(4) Pest control

In autumn, potted chrysanthemums have relatively many pests and diseases. In the early stage of disease, spray with 1% Bordeaux mixture or 50% zineb powder diluted with 1200 times water, once a week, 3 sprays in total.