Wuhan Elderly Man Obsessed with Chrysanthemums for Over Thirty Years Holds Chrysanthemum Show at Home, with Exclusive Propagation Tips

Chrysanthemum Charm

Braving frost and snow, not competing with other flowers for beauty.

The chrysanthemum, as one of the Four Gentlemen among flowers, was not only favored by Tao Yuanming, who left the famous line "Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern hedge, I gaze leisurely at the southern mountains," but also, due to its low planting cost and fast propagation, is loved by many flower growers.

Chrysanthemum Growing Expert

Cheng Yuandun

Over fifty years of growing flowers

Over thirty years of growing chrysanthemums

Living in HankouCheng Yuandunthe elderly man

is a serious "chrysanthemum addict"

At the First Wuhan Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition

he fell in love at first sight with the colorful chrysanthemums

and thus began his journey of growing chrysanthemums

△Cheng Yuandun - first from left

More than thirty years have passed

During the exhibition period of the 34th Wuhan Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition

he even held a family chrysanthemum show at his own home

Speaking of his connection with chrysanthemums, Master Cheng clearly remembers that it was the First Wuhan Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition in 1982. At that time, he took his family to Hanyang Park to see the chrysanthemum show, and upon seeing various varieties of chrysanthemums, he found them very beautiful.

"Everyone says Wuhan is not suitable for growing chrysanthemums, but that was when I discovered how beautiful chrysanthemums are. If others can grow them well, I can give it a try too." When the chrysanthemum show ended, Master Cheng asked the staff for two seedlings, determined to try growing them himself.

He spent a few mao on a book about growing chrysanthemums from a bookstore to study, and began growing chrysanthemums while learning.

From then on, growing chrysanthemums became his main hobby, with varieties and quantities increasing year by year. Since it was his hobby, he certainly had to keep figuring out how to grow them better. Later, he got to know Li Jianxiang, a chrysanthemum master at Jiefang Park, and became his apprentice to learn the craft and develop new varieties.

He grew them better year after year, and as the quantity increased, he placed them on the rooftop terrace for care. This way, residents in the building could enjoy the chrysanthemums when they went upstairs to dry clothes. They discovered that Master Cheng's chrysanthemums were very beautiful, and word spread from one building to the entire neighborhood, and even the neighboring community knew about this chrysanthemum expert.

△Placed in the community corridor for neighbors to enjoy

His fame spread far and wide, and Master Cheng also got to know a group of flower enthusiasts. Because Master Cheng's chrysanthemums had a long blooming period, vivid colors, and beautiful flower shapes, they won the admiration of flower friends. Inspired by Master Cheng, everyone also began growing chrysanthemums.

Not only did they plant in their own homes, but also in public green areas... As soon as you walk into the community where Master Cheng lives, you can find that besides some trees on the lawn, there are also several clusters of small flowers - those are colorful chrysanthemums planted together by several flower friends in the community.

△This was originally a bare large rock,

later flower friends embedded some pebbles on top of the large rock,

making it into a flower platform,

and planted bright chrysanthemums on it, creating the scenery you see now.

Although the chrysanthemums he grows himself are beautiful enough, Master Cheng still goes to see the chrysanthemum exhibition every year. He has never missed a single Wuhan Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition.

Every time he goes, he takes many beautiful photos. His photo albums at home and his phone are full of chrysanthemum exhibition photos. He has witnessed the Wuhan Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition grow larger and better year after year, and he is very happy about it.

△Master Cheng won the title of "Chrysanthemum Expert" at the 5th Chrysanthemum Competition at Wuhan Botanical Garden

In recent years, he has also held chrysanthemum shows at home together with flower friends in the community, attracting many flower friends and nearby residents to come and enjoy.

This year, Master Cheng's rooftop garden has over four hundred pots of chrysanthemums, with over a hundred varieties, arranged in an orderly manner. Various chrysanthemums are grouped in threes and fives, competing in beauty, very pleasing to the eye. Children have smiles on their faces in front of the beautiful chrysanthemums, and adults keep taking photos with their phones. No matter how many times the shutter is pressed, it seems one can never capture all the beauty of the chrysanthemums in this golden autumn. Master Cheng watches all this from the side, smiling quietly.

Master Cheng's story demonstrates the powerful force of landscaping and horticulture

Landscaping work has been constantly innovating

working hard to build an ecological greater Wuhan

From large-scale greening, protecting green, and planting green

to influencing every citizen to love green, protect green, and plant green

From influencing one person to inspiring a group, spreading from point to area

The greenery grows denser, and Wuhan becomes more and more beautiful

The 35th Wuhan Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition is approaching

To help everyone grow chrysanthemums well

the editor specifically consulted Master Cheng

about his exclusive chrysanthemum propagation tips

Chrysanthemum Propagation Tips

(Recommended to save)

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Covered foot buds-- Choose a 10 cm small pot. At the end of March and beginning of April, insert seedlings for cultivation. By mid-June, pinch off the growing tips and remove the axillary buds of the chrysanthemum seedlings. After about 20 days, the chrysanthemum seedlings will grow new axillary buds. At this time, keep the 2-3 plants closer to the pot edge and cut off the rest, ensuring that the remaining chrysanthemum seedlings can get sufficient nutrients.

Before the beginning of the dog days of summer, you can transfer to a larger pot. At the start of autumn, cut off the old stalks.

Head-changing method-- At the end of April and beginning of May, choose a 10 to 12 cm flower pot and insert chrysanthemum seedlings for cuttings. When the seedlings grow to 10 cm, keep the lower 3-4 leaves, cut off the upper part. After half a month, bamboo shoots will emerge from the pot soil.

One-step method-- Around June 10th, choose a 10 to 12 cm flower pot and insert chrysanthemum seedlings for cuttings. By early July, transfer to a larger pot.

If you still have any questions about growing chrysanthemums

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