When is the sowing time for chrysanthemums and how profitable is growing them?

As one of China's ten most famous traditional flowers, the chrysanthemum has a very long history of cultivation, and today it has become one of the main flowers used in art and decoration. In everyday chrysanthemum cultivation, its cultivation and management techniques must be applied scientifically to ensure that chrysanthemum growing can achieve the desired results. So when are chrysanthemums sown? How profitable is growing them?

I. When are chrysanthemums sown?

The sowing time for chrysanthemums differs depending on the propagation method. If sowing chrysanthemum seeds, it is best done in spring. If propagating by cuttings, do it in spring and summer or after the flowers fade in late autumn. If propagating by division, late autumn after flowering is best. Of course, root division and transplanting of chrysanthemums should be done before May 15, while cutting and transplanting of chrysanthemums should be done before June 16.

II. Profitability of growing chrysanthemums

The costs required for growing chrysanthemums are the fees for introducing chrysanthemum growing techniques and chrysanthemum varieties, as well as personnel, fertilizer, and pesticides. According to interviews with chrysanthemum growers by relevant departments, if 500 mu of different chrysanthemum varieties are grown in a year, the total profit that can be obtained is 10 million, and after deducting costs, at least 800,000 to 900,000 can still be earned.

During the season when chrysanthemums are in full bloom, we can turn it into a scenic spot to attract tourists to come and admire them, and at the same time raise its profile. Secondly, many chrysanthemum lovers who see so many precious chrysanthemums will also buy some to take home and plant. Finally, the chrysanthemums can be harvested and processed, then sold for medicine-making or tea brewing, and the prices are still quite considerable, with a large market as well, so the prospects for growing them are there.

III. How to grow chrysanthemums at home

1. Temperature: For potted chrysanthemums, the suitable growing temperature is around 21 °C. Ornamental chrysanthemums are also cold-tolerant and can safely overwinter at around 5 °C. However, they are not tolerant of heat, and when the temperature is above 32 °C, growth will slow down.

2. Light: Chrysanthemums are typical short-day flowers, forming flower buds and blooming only when the daily sunshine is shorter. Under longer sunshine, they only grow stems and leaves and cannot form flower buds. Generally, during the vegetative growth stage they need 14.5 hours of sunshine per day, and during the flower bud differentiation stage they need 12 hours of sunshine per day.

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

4. Water: Ornamental chrysanthemums have a relatively large demand for water, but they 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 them frequently. But be careful not to let water accumulate.

5. Fertilizing: When fertilizing, be sure to spread the fertilizer on top first, 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 branches grow from the leaves and have 5-6 leaves, pinch out the growing tip again, so that the plant keeps 4-7 main branches, and any branches and buds that grow afterward should be removed promptly.