Key Techniques for Growing Spring Festival Chrysanthemums and Methods for Regulating the Flowering Period

Spring Festival chrysanthemums are Lunar New Year flowers that, through cultivation regulation, are made to bloom right around the Spring Festival even though chrysanthemums normally flower in autumn. Chrysanthemums are short-day plants whose natural flowering period is mostly in autumn; if you want them to bloom in winter, you need to adjust light and temperature artificially. The finished plants are mostly potted, with flower colors mainly in festive shades such as golden yellow, crimson and snow white, symbolizing good fortune and longevity, and they are a common ornamental flower during the holidays.

When planting, it is best to choose varieties with relatively strong cold resistance, a compact plant shape and uniform flowering. Seedlings are mostly raised by cuttings: cut healthy branches as cuttings, and once they have rooted and survived, transplant them into flower pots or a seedbed for growing on. Pinching and topping during the seedling stage can encourage the plant to branch more and form more flower buds, and the overall plant shape will also be fuller and more attractive.

Regulating the flowering period is the key part of successful growing. As the days grow shorter in autumn and winter, chrysanthemums will form buds early; if you want to delay flowering until the Spring Festival, you can provide supplementary light at night to inhibit flower bud differentiation, then stop the supplementary light at the scheduled time, and the flowers will open one after another. At the same time, keep them warm: too high a temperature tends to make them flower early, while too low a temperature slows growth and fades the flower color. Water according to the principle of watering when dry and letting them dry out between waterings, and never let water accumulate and rot the roots; use mainly nitrogen fertilizer in the early growth stage, and increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer after buds form, which helps produce large, vividly colored flowers.

In daily management, also pay attention to ventilation and light penetration, and prevent common pests and diseases such as aphids and powdery mildew, dealing with them promptly once found. During the Lunar New Year period, the potted plants can be placed in a bright spot indoors, avoiding direct blasts from heating and cold drafts. Master the coordination among light, temperature, water and fertilizer, and Spring Festival chrysanthemums will bloom right on time, adding a strong festive atmosphere to the holiday.