Small chrysanthemums are low-maintenance and beautiful, and even beginners can grow them into big flower balls

Thousand-head chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) truly lives up to its name - anyone can grow it like a pro

Speaking of thousand-head chrysanthemums, Huahua always thinks of the flower shows seen outside. They're a must-have flower for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, and once they bloom, they turn into big flower balls. I used to think only professional horticulturists could achieve that effect.

Never would I have expected that the thousand-head chrysanthemums Mom bought already have buds all over their branches - 5 pots in total, only ten yuan per pot. At a glance, it makes your head spin. This big flower ball, doesn't it look like Dongguan Shan's handiwork? So it turns out that with the right variety, ordinary people can grow big flower balls too~

Growing chrysanthemums in autumn is already the most fitting thing, and unexpectedly coming across thousand-head chrysanthemums is such a delight. Don't be afraid of a pot full of flower buds - just follow along with Huahua and you'll absolutely get them to bloom smoothly!

How to grow thousand-head chrysanthemums - come take a look

The thousand-head chrysanthemums you happily bought and brought home must be well cared for. Many flower lovers find that the buds start to wither as soon as they get them home, and they wither before even seeing a few blooms.

1. Freshly home thousand-head chrysanthemums - don't put them in the sun carelessly

The thousand-head chrysanthemums we buy now are mostly from greenhouses, somewhat delicate, and can't be exposed to the sun. First place them in a ventilated hallway or on a TV cabinet, avoiding sunlight. Wait for them to slowly adapt, about 3-5 days, then gradually let them get some sun.

2. Don't rush to water - beware of soft stems

Whenever you bring new flowers home, don't rush to water them. Wait until they're "thirsty" before watering - for example, check if the flowers are a bit droopy or if the soil is dry. If you really can't tell, water 2 days after bringing them home.

3. Moisture retention is great - but don't spray the buds wet

In greenhouse sheds, temperature and humidity are constant. The temperature now is just right, but the humidity can't keep up. Many flower lovers choose to mist their chrysanthemums, but buds getting wet can easily affect blooming. It's best to sprinkle water around the flower pot or mop the floor to increase humidity.

4. Pruning after blooming - no time to delay

Because what we bought are thousand-head chrysanthemums with buds, after the environment changes, they bloom unevenly. With buds all over, some have finished blooming while others haven't started yet. For flowers that are about to fade, cut them off quickly to save nutrients for new buds!

Thousand-head chrysanthemums can also be propagated by cuttings - they root super fast

Thousand-head chrysanthemums can also be propagated by cuttings, but the most suitable seasons are spring, April-May, or late summer, August-September. Huahua will write down the method so everyone can save it for later use:

1. Select branches

For chrysanthemum cuttings, you can't use old branches that have already become woody. Use tender new branches, cut to 8-15 cm in length, keeping just one pair of leaves at the top.

2. Prepare sandy soil medium

For cuttings, it's best to use sandy soil as the rooting medium. Regular garden soil also works, but the survival rate is lower, so you can take more cuttings to be safe. Don't insert too deep - about 2 cm is enough.

3. Care after cutting

After inserting the branches into the soil, water thoroughly and place in a ventilated spot at home, avoiding sunlight. Keep the soil moist - you can find a few trays with water to hold them. If conditions allow, you can sprinkle some rooting powder into the water.

4. How long do chrysanthemums take to root

Chrysanthemums generally root within a week. Don't be curious and pull them up to look. As long as you see the leaves become firm and upright, they're probably rooting. Continue caring for them - at this point, you don't need to water as much. Just mist occasionally to keep them moist.

5. Care after rooting

Generally, half a month after cutting, new shoots begin to appear. At this point, consider transplanting to a larger pot. Carefully dig them out, transplant with soil around the roots, water thoroughly after planting to settle the roots, and place in a cool spot to adjust for 3-5 days.

6. After the chrysanthemum seedlings adjust, give them sun and pinch the tips

After the chrysanthemum seedlings have adjusted, start giving them sunlight. At this point, the seedlings will quickly shoot up tall, looking like they're growing well, but it's hard for them to branch out. When they reach about 20 cm in height, you need to be ruthless and pinch off the tops. After pinching, they'll produce more flower branches and gradually become ball-shaped.