In the old days, a chrysanthemum was considered an exclusively seasonal flower, but today it is not uncommon to see, for example, spring and winter chrysanthemums in pots, how we will take care of them and we'll talk.
Chrysanthemums are a very common flower, which has about 160 species.
In recent years, potted species such as large-flowered and small-flowered forms of Chinese and shrubby chrysanthemums have become especially popular in indoor floriculture.
How to care for chrysanthemums so that they bloom longer? Greenhouse plants use the latest technology in order to have flowering plants all year round. This is very difficult, since a chrysanthemum plants buds only when short daylight hours arrive. To do this, use a retardant - such a chemical element that inhibits the growth of plants (so that the bushes remain highly branched and compact). At the same time, they also artificially reduce daylight hours, which helps intensive budding. As a result of this, we find on the shelves of shops compact, potted chrysanthemums studded with buds and flowers .
The flower prefers a cool room with a temperature of about 15 ° C. At high temperatures, the plants, however, will bloom, but not so abundantly and for a long time. Therefore, if you are looking for information on how to care for chrysanthemums, consider whether you can provide this condition. The chrysanthemum is photophilous, however, in the hottest hours, it requires shading from sunlight. Watering should be plentiful - the ground should always be wet, but not too damp. Periodic spraying is required.
Young plants are recommended to be replanted every year, old plants - once every two years. Chrysanthemums are not very demanding on the soil and will grow well in garden soil, where a little sand and humus are added. The only condition to consider when figuring out how to care for chrysanthemums at home is that they don't like acidic soils. To enhance branching, pruning and pinching are used.
Chrysanthemums are usually sold as annual indoor plants, but this is not necessary. In that case, if you want to save the plant, then after flowering, you need to cut off all the long shoots on the plant, leaving short petioles. Put the flower pot in a cool place with a temperature of no higher than 10 ° C. In the spring, when young shoots begin to grow, the plant must be moved to a bright place in a warmer room, transplanted into new soil, and watering with fertilizers begins every two weeks.
You can also cut the cuttings from the overwintered young shoots that arise in the spring and plant them like a new flower.
If you do not take into account tips on how to care for chrysanthemums, do not observe the required temperature in winter, do not feed and do not replant, then the plants will not bloom or the flowering will not be significant and short.
. If you choose a chrysanthemum in a pot, then choose flowers with a few opened and a large number of buds that have not opened, which only show the ends of the basket.
To achieve a longer flowering, you need to put the pot in a well-lit place, which is protected from sunlight. At the same time, one should not forget that the lack of lighting leads to the fact that unopened buds fall.
When flowering, chrysanthemum should be watered abundantly, it should be done several times a week, since even the drying of the soil for a short time may well lead to falling and wilting of the lower leaves. After flowering, chrysanthemums are often thrown away, however, if possible, plant it in the open soil, where it will come to life.
Also, from how to care for chrysanthemums, pest control should be considered. The most dangerous for chrysanthemums are spider mites and aphids. Consultants in flower shops will give you comprehensive information about the pesticides that are used to control these pests.