Potted chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum) belong to the Aster family. They are perennial herbaceous plants native to Asia. The following chrysanthemum species are used for pot cultivation:

• Chinese chrysanthemum or mulberry-leaved chrysanthemum
• Korean chrysanthemum (low-growing varieties)
• Indian chrysanthemums

Care for potted chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums are light-loving plants, but their flowers fade quickly in direct sunlight. They are suitable for east- and west-facing windows; plants placed on south-facing windows need shading. In summer it is desirable to take them outdoors into the fresh air.

Temperature. They prefer cool rooms with temperatures not exceeding 20°C. Optimal temperature in summer is 12-17°C; wintering at 3-5°C.

Misting. In summer it is recommended to mist them to lower the air temperature.

Soil. The soil should be loose, fertile, and permeable to water and air. Potting mix: 3 parts garden soil, 1 part peat, 1 part sand, 1 part humus. You can use a universal potting mix for flowering plants with a neutral reaction (pH 6.5 - 7.5)

Watering. Moderate; keep the soil slightly moist, avoiding drying out of the root ball and waterlogging

Fertilizers. Feed from early spring to late autumn with a complete fertilizer for flowering plants once every 2 weeks. Apply the fertilizer 12-18 hours after watering.

Pruning and shaping. Chrysanthemum tolerates pruning well. To maintain a bushy shape, pinch out the tips of young shoots. The first pinch is done when the plant has grown 15-20 cm. Pinching delays flowering, so the last pinch is usually done in early June.

Flowering. Blooms in autumn, under a short day length (less than 10 hours) and low temperature. With proper care it can bloom in spring in March-April. The optimal temperature for prolonged flowering is 14-16°C. Remove excess buds; this will allow the remaining buds to open earlier and form larger flowers

Propagation. By division of the bush, or by cuttings taken from the parent plant, which root easily

Wintering. For wintering a bright room with a temperature of 3-5°C is required

Pests and diseases. Aphids, thrips, spider mite

Buy a chrysanthemum