Detailed Explanation of the Key Technical Points for Cultivating and Managing Spray Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are one of China's ten traditional famous flowers. They can be grown in a wide range of regions, with many varieties, abundant flower colors, and changeable flower forms. They bloom proudly in the frost of late autumn when hundreds of flowers have withered, and they have high ornamental value. Potted spray chrysanthemums, in particular, are deeply loved by people because of their compact plant shape, neatly arranged flowers, and ability to display varietal characteristics. How to grow spray chrysanthemums well - technique is the key.
1. Potting soil preparation
How well chrysanthemums grow and how they bloom is closely related to potting soil preparation.
Chrysanthemums dislike waterlogging and tolerate drought, like a certain amount of fertility, and cannot tolerate excessive fertility. Therefore, when preparing potting soil, attention should be paid both to the granular structure of the soil and to moderate fertility, with fertilizer effects that are slow and long-lasting. If the potting soil is too compacted, chrysanthemums are prone to root rot, while if it is too loose, it does not retain water easily. When the potting soil is too fertile, chrysanthemums tend to grow excessively, while when fertility is too low, it cannot meet normal growth needs. Therefore, when preparing potting soil, be sure to pay attention to the ratio among the various materials.
The materials used include fully decomposed cow dung, cottonseed hulls that have been used to grow wood ear mushrooms or mushrooms and thoroughly rotted with human urine and feces, aged furnace slag, and sandy soil. Sieve them and mix them evenly before use. The mixing ratio varies somewhat with the purity of each material, but the approximate ratio is cow dung : furnace slag, sandy soil : cottonseed hulls = 3:1:1.
2. Cultivation of spray chrysanthemums
The cutting time for spray chrysanthemums varies by region and is also closely related to varietal characteristics. Short varieties should be cut early, tall varieties should be cut later, those that branch easily should be cut later, and those that branch with difficulty should be cut earlier. The cutting time should change according to place, time, and variety.
The cutting time for Kaifeng spray chrysanthemums is mostly between April 20 and May 20. If cuttings are taken too early, the vegetative growth period is long, the plants tend to age, and by flowering they have entered a weakened old age stage, producing willow leaves and small flowers. If cuttings are taken too late, as the season changes and daylight gradually shortens, the plants enter the reproductive growth period early, failing to meet the branching requirements of spray chrysanthemums and affecting flowering quality and ornamental effect.
The quality of the cuttings is directly related to the subsequent growth of the chrysanthemums. When selecting cuttings, choose chrysanthemum tips that are free of pests and diseases, grow vigorously, and have excellent and stable varietal traits for later use. After picking them, immediately sprinkle water to keep them moist, then use a blade to cut a cutting about 7 cm long from about 2 mm below the leaf stalk, insert it into a full-sun misting sand bed, and use a watering can to spray water and firm it. After about half a month of misting treatment, rooting is generally good and they can be potted up.
During the vegetative growth period of spray chrysanthemums, they generally go through the process of potting up and repotting. When potting up, first plant the seedlings into clay pots with a diameter of about 10 cm. The growing soil should account for half of the pot volume. Using a small pot with little soil helps control water and fertilizer and meets the requirements of restricting water and fertilizer during the vegetative growth period of chrysanthemums. After the chrysanthemum seedlings are potted up, if there are no abnormalities, they can be pinched at 3 to 4 leaves.
After the seedlings grow for a period of time and the chrysanthemum roots have filled the potting soil, the nutrients in the potting soil can no longer meet the growth needs of the chrysanthemums, so they must be repotted into pots with an inner diameter no greater than 24 cm. Repotting is best done in the afternoon before the hot summer period. Before repotting, water thoroughly in the morning. The chrysanthemum seedlings should be planted upright in the center, and the covering soil should be level with the surface of the original root ball. Afterward, water thoroughly to help the seedlings recover.