Key Technical Points and Precautions for Field Management of Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are common ornamental and medicinal plants, and varieties such as Hangbaiju, Gongju and Boju are mostly grown in open fields. Field management runs through the entire growth period of chrysanthemums, and whether it is done properly directly affects plant vigor, the number of flowers, and the final quality of cut flowers or medicinal material, so no step can be neglected.

In terms of soil preparation and water and fertilizer, chrysanthemums prefer a sunny environment on high, dry ground and are best planted in deep, well-drained sandy loam; continuous cropping and waterlogging should be avoided. After transplanting and seedling recovery, water timely according to soil moisture, and drain promptly during the rainy season to prevent root rot. Fertilization follows the principle of promoting early growth and controlling later growth: apply plenty of organic base fertilizer before planting, mainly nitrogen fertilizer in the early growth stage to promote branching, and increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer at the bud and flowering stages to encourage more and larger flowers with pure color.

Pinching and topping are key measures in chrysanthemum field management. By removing the terminal buds in stages, plant height can be controlled and side branches stimulated, making the plant full and increasing the number of flowers. For tall varieties, soil should be hilled up or supports set up before budding to prevent later lodging that would affect ventilation and harvest.

Pest and disease control should not be ignored either. Common chrysanthemum diseases include powdery mildew, leaf spot and root rot, which mostly occur under high temperature and humidity with poor ventilation; among insect pests, aphids and spider mites are relatively common. In production, prevention should be the priority, combining crop rotation, clearing residual plants and fallen leaves in the field, and reasonable close planting to reduce the chance of occurrence; once pests or diseases are found, promptly apply targeted pesticides and pay attention to the pre-harvest interval.

Overall, chrysanthemum field management centers on soil, water and fertilizer, plant adjustment, and pest and disease control; only when all these links work together can the goal of high yield and quality be achieved.