It is hard to imagine that for more than two and a half thousand years people around the world have been pleased with their magnificent flowering of chrysanthemums. The name of the flower is translated from Greek as "golden flower". Indian chrysanthemum is widespread in our country among gardeners and lovers of indoor floriculture.
Description
This is a fairly large perennial plant. Indian chrysanthemum in the garden grows to 1.5 meters. It has simple stems, serrated serrated leaves (dissected). An inflorescence is a basket in which seeds ripen by December. Enters active flowering in September-November.
In vivo, Indian chrysanthemum is common throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus and India. In the open ground, these plants grow only in the southern regions. By the duration of flowering, only orchids can compare with these magnificent flowers. But one of the advantages of chrysanthemums is the flowering time - deep autumn, when the brightness of natural colors is already muffled. This magnificent flowers attract the attention of lovers and connoisseurs of natural beauty.
Large chrysanthemums began to be called Indian, since earlier all eastern plants called it that. To date, more than ten thousand varieties of Indian chrysanthemums have been bred. All of them differ in the shape of leaves and flowers, color, size. Indian chrysanthemum with large flowers is especially attractive, but it is most difficult to grow it for a novice grower in the garden. True, applying the advice of experienced gardeners and having prepared everything you need, you can grow magnificent flowers that not only decorate the site, but also become your pride. There are two methods for growing garden and indoor chrysanthemums.
Indian Chrysanthemum: Seed Growing
If you decide to grow your own indoor chrysanthemum or decorate the garden with such flowers, you will need:
- ordinary soil (from a garden plot, for example), it is desirable that it contains an admixture of sand and peat, you can use a ready-made store mix for flowering plants;
- several plastic cups or one large flat container;
- watering can and a spray of water;
- daylight lamp;
- glass to create a microenvironment.
If you are going to sow the seeds outside the storefront, which has undergone all the necessary processing, then to prevent diseases, the soil should be calcined or frozen. Many experienced gardeners for the winter leave on the balcony a packet of ground that freezes well. But you can use a freezer for this purpose.
Make small grooves in the soil and sow in them two or three seeds at a distance of ten centimeters from each other, so it will be easier to plant seedlings after they germinate. Sprinkle the seeds lightly with the earth (not more than one centimeter), moisten it with a little water from the sprayer, and cover the container with glass. We leave it in this condition in a well-lit place for seven days - that is how much time it will take for the first sprouts to appear.
It is not easy to grow Indian chrysanthemums from seeds, but the process is very exciting. This plant is very photophilous. Seven days after planting, you will need a daylight lamp. But the air temperature should not be high - no more than +20 ° C. You can refuse a lamp in the only case - if the windows of the room where the plants are located are facing the sunny side and the light reaches them at least 6-8 hours a day. Until completely rooted, Indian chrysanthemum remains in its primary capacity. The seeds usually grow quite strong seedlings that can be planted in a permanent pot or in the soil on the garden plot.
Cuttings
With this type of plant propagation, there are rules:
- In the spring, they plant in the soil for rooting cuttings with a length of about 20 centimeters.
- For better germination in the garden, they are covered with plastic wrap on arches, and in indoor floriculture, a bag with holes for ventilation is used for this.
- The film should not be in contact with the cuttings.
- After the appearance of the first shoots, the film is removed.
- It is advisable to feed the shoots with nitrogen fertilizers.
- Seedlings are grown to root, and after planting in open ground, cover with a film.
Indian Chrysanthemum is a fairly hardy plant. It is cold-resistant, but very photophilous. In the central regions of Russia, in the open field, chrysanthemum develops slowly, flowering does not last long, its inflorescences are not too large. It is better to plant a plant on a flowerbed in May.
Indoor Chrysanthemum Indian: home care
Indoor chrysanthemum needs loose nutritious soil with neutral acidity. In the garden soil (4 parts) add the same amount of turf, 1 part humus and 1 part sand. In order for the plant to develop properly and flourish, the chrysanthemum is fed twice a month:
- during the growth of deciduous mass, nitrogen fertilizers are used;
- during the laying of buds - phosphorus and potash.
Indian chrysanthemum, care for which for beginner growers is rather complicated, does not tolerate high temperatures. In order for it to please its flowering for a long time, it is necessary to constantly maintain the temperature not higher than +15 ° C. In the summer, the pot with the plant is rearranged in a well-ventilated place, protected from direct sunlight, and in winter they store the chrysanthemum at +5 ° C. It should be noted that a lack of light will not benefit the flower - it simply will not bloom, so the northern windows are not suitable for it.
Watering
Indian chrysanthemum loves water, so it should be watered every three days when the topsoil dries. If you miss the next watering, then the opened flowers and unblown buds will begin to fade. The plant should not be poured either, so as not to provoke rotting of the roots. For irrigation it is necessary to use water that has been left for two days.
Pruning
The first pruning is carried out to form a bush - in the chrysanthemum two, and sometimes three times, cut off the upper part of the shoot. This contributes to the growth of the lateral processes. The last nipping is carried out approximately two weeks before the buds bloom.
Another pruning of the bush must be done before placing the flower in a cool, dark and dry place for winter storage. The shoots are cut, leaving ten centimeters of the stem.
Diseases and Pests
Indian chrysanthemum is afraid of some pests. The most dangerous for her are a spider red mite, a chrysanthemum nematode and aphids. With too much watering, the flower is affected by powdery mildew. In this case, it is necessary to treat the diseased plant with an insecticide.
Beneficial features
Many varieties of chrysanthemums have medicinal properties, some of them are edible. As medicinal raw materials, flower petals are used, collected during the period when the plant is blooming intensively. They contain:
- essential oils;
- glycoside;
- camphor;
- Vitamin A
- choline;
- adenine.
In addition, eufualacon, which is the nucleus of chamazulene, was found in their composition. Chrysanthemum flowers are used for brewing. Such herbal tea increases appetite. And essential oils have a beneficial effect on the subcortex of the brain. This is an effective tool that is used in complex therapy for Parkinson's disease. An infusion of petals, cooked in a water bath, quickly removes heat and fever. chrysanthemum Indian seed cultivation.
Popular views
All varieties of Indian chrysanthemum can be listed for a very long time. All of them are magnificent in their own way. Most of these flowers are the result of tedious selection work. They are the embodiment of style and beauty, sophistication and originality, sophistication and extravagance. So, we suggest you get acquainted with some popular varieties.
Chrysanthemum Aurora
It differs in flat inflorescences of orange color. Flowers reach a diameter of ten centimeters. Flowering - from September to October. The plant is suitable for growing on a personal plot, its height is about a meter.
Anastasia
White, pink, yellow, lilac, lemon or green flowers, with a diameter of up to 17 centimeters. The inflorescence is flat, sophisticated and very fragile. Flowering continues throughout the fall.
"Artist"
The inflorescence is flat, having two-color petals: stripes of pink and white. The bush is small, long flowering, suitable for indoor cultivation.
Vimini
Little cute "sunflower". Petals are colored in orange, lemon or yellow with a brown core. It blooms briefly.
"Carnival"
This variety has terry flowers and a variety of shades. It blooms long and plentifully.
Like Worth
Gorgeous chrysanthemum daisies. Flat and large orange inflorescences with a yellow stripe are gathered around a green core. They are the embodiment of simplicity and originality.
North Bay
Variety blooming for a very long time. Medium-sized inflorescences have a yellow-green core and bicolor yellow-white petals with a purple edging.
"Snow Elf"
Pompom snow-white terry chrysanthemum. Flowers in diameter do not exceed eight centimeters. Bush of medium height.