Description
Characteristic Features of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous plants and subshrubs in the aster family Asteraceae, or Compositae. It contains 29 species mostly native to the temperate climate areas in Asia. Taxonomists have often transferred many of Chrysanthemum species to the related genera Achillea and Tanacetum.
The position of the Emperor of Japan has been called Chrysanthemum Throne in Europe and America ever since Japan revealed itself to the West around the mid 19th century. The oldest of the Japanese awards is the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum. Images of this multi-petal national flower are on the official Imperial Seal, the state emblem, and Japanese coins.
However, the ornamental flowering plants that are used for open-ground cultivation are not native to Japan. They are small-flowered hardy Korean Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x koreanum). It is not a separate species but a subgroup of hybrid varieties in the group of the garden Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x hortorum). They were derived from Siberian Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum sibiricum), Chinese Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), and Indian Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum). The latter is famous for its large flowers and heat-loving and is only grown in greenhouses.
Currently, Chrysanthemum is gaining popularity as a potted plant. Mostly low-growing varieties of Korean Chrysanthemum are used for cultivation indoor, on porches and / or balconies ('Gustav Grunewald', 'Golden Glory', 'Old Gold', 'Alabaster', 'Corona', 'Jumbo Pink', 'Mundo Lilac', 'Pampa', 'Stella', 'Talula', etc.)
The Greek word "chrysanthemum" means a "gold flower". This is true because the central disk florets in the inflorescences are usually yellow. The ray florets come in a great variety of colour, from snow white to rich lilac. If the plant bears one row of florets, it said to be a daisy bloom form. Most hybrids bear many rows of florets. These forms are called Anemone, Double, Semi-double, or Pompon.
Chrysanthemum has been known since ancient times, for at least 25 centuries. All over in the world, these beautiful flowers have attracted attention and love of people and inspired poets with their charm. They have become perhaps the most popular potted and outdoor plants. The reason for this is, of course, the fact that Korean Chrysanthemums bloom magnificently from summer to late autumn:
- Early bloomers start blooming from mid-July.
- Medium bloomers start blooming on the third week of September.
- Medium late bloomers start blooming in October.
Special types of Chrysanthemums are used by the Japanese and the Chinese to treat and prevent various diseases or for food along with vegetables. For example, the leaves of Chrysanthemum coronarium (in Chinese "Tonghai") are rich in vitamins, elements, and biologically active substances that slow down the ageing and reduce cancer risk. Dare to taste young shoots with stewed meat or in a salad? They have a specific spicy flavour and a delicate smell. The inflorescences can also be used for a stunning dessert!
The Secrets to Successful Growing Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums prefer bright filtered light with shading from direct sunlight during midday. Place the plant in the east- or west-facing window with good ventilation. As a perfect alternative, you can place the plant in a well-lit cool spot on the balcony.
During the growth period, Chrysanthemums need plentiful watering once a week. Reduce watering when the temperature gets lower and the warm season turns to the cold season.
Chrysanthemums thrive in high air humidity so regularly mist the foliage. In the summer, it is best to mist twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
The best temperatures are 20–23 ° C in the summer and 17–18 ° C in the winter. If you keep your plant cool during flowering, the flowering will be more profuse and last longer. For the winter, shelter the plants (if they grow in the garden) or move indoors (if they are grown in pots).
In the active growth period, fertilize weekly with any compound plant fertilizer. In the second half of the summer, gradually reduce the feeding frequency to once every 2 weeks. In the autumn and winter, do not fertilize. You may use both mineral and organic fertilizers but be very careful.
Repot young plants to larger pots each year and old plants once in 2 years. Soil mixture should be lightweight and neutral (pH = 6.0–7.0). Prepare it from loam, humus, sand, and rotted manure at 4:4:1:1. Good results are achieved if the soil mixture is supplemented with bird droppings. Feed Chrysanthemum with liquid fertilizer 10–15 days after repotting.
The plant is mostly propagated by seed. Sow seeds in boxes no later than the second half of April. If you sow in March, they will bloom in late June. Alternatively, sow directly in the open ground in May, and the plant will bloom in early August.
Some sources describe propagating Chrysanthemums by dividing the shrub during repotting. Fancy trying?
Propagation by cuttings should follow a few strict rules. Make sure to know and stick to them.
Pruning (if necessary) is done in the spring.
If you want to get larger blooms, use this simple method: 1) Pinch out the first bud, and the plant will send out several side shoots; 2) Leave as many of these side shoots as you want blooms; 3) Pinch out any new buds or shoots.
Potential Problems
The buds will not open in poor light.
In too much sunlight, the leaves wither and fade. The same happens when the plant is underwatered. It can even drop leaves.
If the temperature is above 25 ° C, blooming deteriorates. The buds quickly open and quickly fade. If overheating occurs in an unventilated room, the plant may partly drop leaves and buds.
Chrysanthemums are prone to fungal diseases, especially if you fail to follow good growing practices. This can lead to stem distortion and leaf discolouration. The plant will have to be disposed of because it is pointless to fight fungal diseases.
The insects that most frequently affect Chrysanthemums are aphids (To destroy aphids, wash the plant with soapy water once a week) and spider mites. A universal countermeasure is treatment with pyrethrum. Very effective is a garlic solution. Undoubtedly, you can use commercially available insecticides but handle them with caution.
