Korean Chrysanthemum is the generalized name for a group of perennial small-flowered varieties of garden chrysanthemum. Its origin is hybrid. It was named “Korean” because the first specimens (and it was Siberian chrysanthemum) used for crossbreeding were brought from Korea. It is characterized by relative frost resistance. It is grown in open ground everywhere.
There are a lot of varieties of this chrysanthemum. They differ in terms of flowering, height of bushes, structure and size of inflorescences, color of flowers. They are characterized by rapid growth.
Korean Chrysanthemum is a short-day plant. Bookmark and the formation of inflorescences occurs with a reduction in daylight hours. It is drought-resistant and photophilous. Close occurrence of groundwater can lead to the death of the plant. For abundant flowering, she needs five or more hours of sunshine daily.
If Korean chrysanthemum is planted in the spring, then it is advisable to prepare the soil from the fall, to add organic fertilizers, to dig. Otherwise, when planting in each 20-cm hole, it is necessary to put humus or compost, filling it in a third, and then plant the rooted stem (this is the best planting material). This procedure is carried out at the end of the frost.
For better illumination of chrysanthemums, it is advisable to plant in a checkerboard pattern, leaving 40 cm between the plants. If the cuttings were in pots, then they need to be transplanted with an earthen lump, without deepening, and watered.
At first, it is advisable to loosen the soil often, because at this time there is an increase in the root system and underground shoots from which the bush will form. In the future, cultivation must be stopped so that the young shoots are not damaged.
Korean chrysanthemum loves mulching, which protects against fungal diseases. Pine needles, oat straw, chopped pine bark are excellent for this purpose.
Without top dressing, it is difficult to grow chic bushes. At the beginning of cultivation, young plants need to be fed with nitrogen fertilizers to build up green mass, and then with phosphorus-potash, for better flowering.
The formation of Korean chrysanthemum consists in removing the buds that appear at the wrong time (in spring and early summer) and in shortening the shoots that violate the shape of the bush. To achieve good branching, it is necessary to carry out 1-2 pinching (removal of the tips of the shoots) with an interval of 30 days. If after the first pinching, which is carried out with the growth of 10 leaves, 7-12 shoots are formed, then the second pinching is no longer required. Otherwise, the tops of the grown side shoots pinch over the 3-5th leaf.
Korean chrysanthemums bloom around September. Some varieties are earlier, others are later. Flowering lasts until frost, after which you need to cut the entire aerial part, leave a small stump. When establishing frosty weather, it is necessary to insulate the root system of chrysanthemums. In the southern regions, it is enough to simply spud with earth. In colder regions, you still need to cover it with spruce branches, cover it with foliage.
In spring, you need to remove the remains of the stems, unscrew the central shoot completely, since it will not grow anymore. The renewal of the bush will occur from underground side shoots. Korean chrysanthemum in one place can grow well for no more than three years. In the 3-4th year, the bush needs to be dug up and divided, discarding the central part.
When cooling, the flowering bush can be dug up and transplanted into a large pot or bucket. The chrysanthemum of the house will bloom for a long time, perhaps before the New Year. After flowering, the stems need to be cut and placed in a cool place. In spring, you can cut and root cuttings, and later plant them on flower beds.
The autumn garden, in which colors fade, evokes melancholy. Chrysanthemums are able to fill it with new tones. Plant these wonderful plants, they will delight you with bright flowers and green leaves until the frost.