Chrysanthemum Care
Top Tips for Chrysanthemum Care
Chrysanthemums might be one of the most popular flowers in the world, after roses, but if you want to grow your own then knowing proper Chrysanthemum care can be very important.
Chrysanthemum comes from the Greek word “Chrys” meaning “golden” and “anthemon” which means “flower.” Originally, Chrysanthemums were yellow flowers. They have beautiful blooms and can appear to look like pompoms, daisies, or even buttons. They also come in an assortment of colors as well, making them a very versatile flower. Popular colors include purple, white, and red, in addition to their traditional yellow hue.
Chrysanthemum care is fairly easy since they can basically be grown in any type of soil. However, they do best in areas that get a lot of sunny weather. They love plenty of sunshine, as well as food and moisture. When planting, it is best to make sure that they receive direct sunlight.
Chrysanthemum seedlings can be thinned out after germination. Usually, however, the seedlings are transplanted after around a month of sowing. The flowers themselves appear about 3 months after they have been sown. They tend to bloom for a long time.
When planted, they should be spaced about 18-30 inches apart. Once the Chrysanthemums have been transplanted, they should be watered, hoed, and weeded on a regular basis. It is also important that in Chrysanthemum care that they are fertilized properly. They should be fertilized when the plants get ready to bloom. The fertilizing should stop, however, once the buds form on the plants. Sometimes, they need to be staked as well.
After the blooms begin to fade and wilt, they should be picked off to encourage new blooms to form. This will help the plant continue to flower successfully.
It is essential that you check regularly for pests and insects and diseases on the plants. These should be dealt with immediately. Some things that they are susceptible to include foliar nematodes, aphids, leafspots, and plant bugs. To help control disease, it is suggested that you do not plant your Chrysanthemums in the same place for more than 3 years in a row. This will also help prevent pest problems, too.
To keep them from getting overcrowded and to encourage blooming, they should be divided every 5 years. This should occur during the springtime. To divide them, dig them out and using a spade or a sharp knife separate the plants. You should also take away any dead part of the plant or any part that appears to be diseased.
Once they have been separated, replant them as soon as you can in soil that is loose and well drained. To help decrease the risk of insect problems and disease, the soil should be sterilized. Moving them a new location altogether is recommended.
When it comes to cuttings, you should take away the lower half of the leaves from a healthy plant using a sharp knife that is clean. Insert the bottom part of the cut end into a rooting hormone and then place it in sphagnum moss or sterile moist sand. Until the roots form, you can make a little greenhouse for it by using poly film over a wire and placing it a sunny spot. However, you don’t want to place it in direct sunlight.
In the wintertime, you should cut your plants back to the ground and cover them with a mulch made of airy material, such as evergreen branches. Frost can be a problem which is why mulch is essential. You can also build up the area around the plants with soil and create a little drainage ditch by the plants to help protect them as well.