Chrysanthemum seedlings are a welcome gift for many gardeners. This beautiful plant is associated with many legends in different cultures. In Chinese mythology, chrysanthemums, the cultivation and care of which we will consider in this article, are children of the sun itself. In Japan, images of these flowers are often found on seals, ornaments and coins. In addition, in Asia this garden decoration is also used as an ingredient for cooking. Let's find out how to grow chrysanthemum in your area.
General information
You can grow chrysanthemum in pots. In this case, it will be the perfect decoration at home. When cut, these flowers stand idle for up to a month, so florists are happy to use them when making bouquets. But best of all, chrysanthemums, the cultivation and care of which are available to both a specialist and a beginner, look in the open ground.
With the onset of autumn, small-flowered (Korean) and strikingly bright large-flowered varieties fill the gardens with paints. They are all extremely decorative, their flowering can continue with proper care until November due to resistance to low temperatures. Flowering of chrysanthemums planted in open ground begins in late August. And it does not end until the temperature drops to seven degrees below zero. Different varieties have different stems height (from 20 to 80 cm), different terry inflorescences. But they are all beautiful and elegant. In open ground in the northern regions of Russia, chrysanthemums can also grow. Growing and caring for them in this case implies that the flowers need to be sheltered for the winter, and for the rest, the above rules must be observed. After cutting the stems, it is necessary to leave a stump up to 15 cm high, which should then be covered with foliage and peat, insulated with lapnik.
Demanding Chrysanthemums: Growing and Care
These flowers should not be shaded, nor should water stagnate in the soil surrounding them. Therefore, the best place for chrysanthemums is well-lit and elevated. If these conditions are met, you can be sure that the shoots will not stretch (which greatly spoils the appearance of the bush), and the flowering period will not change. Chrysanthemums' dislike of overmoistening also does not mean that dry terrain is better for them. Since their root system is located in the upper soil layer, watering should be moderate, but regular. The soil should be loosened and nutrients should be added to it (well-rotted manure, peat, compost). But do not abuse fertilizers - their excess will provoke excessive development of leaves to the detriment of flowers. Chrysanthemums should be planted on a cloudy day with high humidity. And if the weather is sunny, wait for the evening. Wells for planting need to be done about 40 cm deep. They must be watered, drained with coarse sand, and a little vermicompost is added to them. Strongly deepen the seedling of chrysanthemum is not necessary, since the roots of the plant will grow parallel to the soil. Stems of tall varieties need to be tied, especially if they grow in an area often blown by the wind.