White Chrysanthemum Planting Methods and Technical Key Points

White chrysanthemum, also known as the little white chrysanthemum, is an annual or biennial herbaceous flower. It enjoys a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight. It is fairly cold-tolerant and tolerates partial shade. It grows best in loose, fertile loam with good drainage. The white chrysanthemum is short and robust, produces abundant flowers, blooms early and has a long flowering period; planted in masses, it is dazzling to the eye. The flower heads are terminal, and after flowering it produces achenes, which mature in late May.

I. Growth Habits of the White Chrysanthemum

The white chrysanthemum is native to Europe and enjoys a warm, humid living environment. Because its place of origin is at a relatively high latitude, the white chrysanthemum is fairly cold-tolerant and can overwinter safely above -5°C, so in southern China it can basically be grown in the open ground. The white chrysanthemum enjoys a sunny environment, but grows poorly under high temperatures above 30°C. Below we will introduce the cultivation methods for the white chrysanthemum in detail.

II. Cultivation Methods for the White Chrysanthemum

1. Soil

The white chrysanthemum is not strict about soil; ordinarily it can grow normally in flower beds or beside trees. For home cultivation, if you want to grow it better, you can choose to plant it in fertile, loose loam or sandy loam, and the soil should have good aeration.

2. Water and Fertilizer Management

Care during the flowering period is the most critical for the white chrysanthemum, because its flowering period is relatively long; it can bloom from the winter solstice to early summer, with the peak flowering period from March to May, during which it needs relatively large amounts of nutrients. During the flowering period, apply fertilizer once every 20 to 30 days, and during the growing period, apply fertilizer once every half month. Do not water too frequently; water once every 7 to 10 days, and keeping the soil moist is sufficient.

3. Temperature

The white chrysanthemum is cold-tolerant but not heat-tolerant. Its optimum growing temperature is 15-25°C; below -5°C it can overwinter safely, and above 30°C the plant will grow poorly. Therefore, in winter, keep the temperature above 0°C. If the environment remains below -5°C for a long time, the leaves will suffer frost damage, drying up and turning yellow, but as the temperature rises they will gradually recover without affecting growth. In summer, when the temperature rises, the flowers will fade faster, so place it in a cool, ventilated spot to prolong the flowering period.

4. Light

Most flowering plants need the care of sunlight, and the white chrysanthemum is certainly no exception. The white chrysanthemum enjoys a sunny but relatively cool environment. Without enough sunlight, the flowers will develop poorly or fade quickly. For home care, you can place it on a south-facing windowsill, which provides both sunlight and ventilation.

Notes on Cultivating the White Chrysanthemum

Pest and disease control:Common diseases include leaf spot and stem rot, which can be sprayed with 65% zineb wettable powder. Pests include mirid bugs and leaf miners, which can be killed by spraying with a 1500-fold dilution of 25% carbaryl wettable powder.

Sow at the right time:Spring and autumn are the most suitable seasons for planting. In the intense heat or severe cold, it is best to sow indoors. If the indoor temperature is below 15 or above 35°C, it is advisable to wait patiently until the suitable season before starting to plant.