When Do Chrysanthemums Bloom? A Detailed Guide to Their Blooming Period

The chrysanthemum ranks third among China's top ten famous flowers, is one of the Four Gentlemen of flowers (plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum), and is also one of the world's four major cut flowers (chrysanthemum, rose, carnation, gladiolus). Because of its noble character of braving the cold and snow, Tao Yuanming wrote the famous line, "Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I gaze serenely at the southern mountains." Chinese people have the custom of viewing chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine during the Double Ninth Festival. Now let us take a look at when chrysanthemums bloom!

When do chrysanthemums bloom?

Chrysanthemums generally bloom from September to November. There are many varieties of chrysanthemums, grown across a very wide range of regions, and there is no fixed blooming time, though most bloom in autumn; however, some chrysanthemums also bloom in summer and winter. Under normal natural conditions, they can be divided by blooming period into summer chrysanthemums (blooming from May to September), autumn chrysanthemums (blooming from October to November), and cold chrysanthemums (blooming from December to January), typically lasting about 20 to 35 days. But through the cultivation efforts of horticulturists, who altered the sunlight conditions, there are also May chrysanthemums that bloom in May, July chrysanthemums that bloom in July, and August chrysanthemums that bloom in August.

Classification of chrysanthemums by blooming period

1. Summer chrysanthemums: They bloom once each in the 5th and 9th months of the lunar calendar every year. With the use of protective cultivation facilities, they can now bloom once each in May and October of the solar calendar.

2. Autumn chrysanthemums: Their blooming period is divided into early and late types. Early chrysanthemums bloom in mid-to-late September and are medium-sized chrysanthemums; late chrysanthemums bloom from October to November and are large chrysanthemums.

3. Cold chrysanthemums: Cold chrysanthemums, also known as winter chrysanthemums, bloom from December to January of the following year.

Why do chrysanthemums fail to bloom?

1. Unsuitable environment: Chrysanthemums originate from different places and have different ecological habits. Some prefer light and heat, some prefer partial shade, some prefer warmth, and some prefer coolness. If their living conditions are not met, they are also prone to failing to bloom.

2. Excessive water and fertilizer: If chrysanthemums receive excessive water and fertilizer during their growing period, it easily causes rampant growth of branches and leaves, with nutrients going mostly to the vegetative organs - roots, stems, and leaves - while the flowers, fruits, or seeds lack nutrients, affecting flower bud formation.

3. Lack of fertilizer and water: If chrysanthemums lack fertilizer and water during their growing period, the plants will grow poorly, and it easily results in fewer blooms; even if they manage to bloom, the quality is very poor.

4. Room temperature too high: If the room temperature is too high in winter, it affects dormancy or causes premature sprouting and leafing, consuming nutrients. The following year the growth will be weak, causing failure to bloom, or small flowers, or flower drop.

5. Pests and diseases: During the growing period, chrysanthemums suffer from pests and diseases, which affects nutrient accumulation, hinders growth, and causes flowers and buds to drop.

6. Improper pruning: If chrysanthemums are not shaped and pruned during the growing period, it not only affects their appearance but also consumes a large amount of nutrients, thereby affecting flower bud formation and causing failure to bloom or fewer blooms.