It's one of our favourite teas but also a favourite in the garden. Here we explain all you need to know in order to grow this fantastic plant, Chrysanthemum, in your Garden.
What you need to know about Chrysanthemum Flowers
Name: mums, chrysanthemums, florist's chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum sp., C. x grandiflorum cvrs. and C. morifolium cvrs.).
Plant type: flowering woody or herbaceous perennials.
Height: generally less than.5 m.
Foliage: variable shapes, usually heavily lobed, deep matt green, often highly aromatic if squashed.
Climate: warm temperate, protected areas of cool temperate, milder sub-tropical locations. All zones as potted indoor plants.
Soil: regular garden soil-- prevent clay or sandy soil. Premium potting mix if growing in containers.
Position: full sun but will benefit from defence from the hot afternoon sun. Wind protection is chosen.
Blooming: late summertime through fall.
Feeding: yearly controlled-release fertiliser; supplement with organic fortified liquid feeding.
Watering: just moderate requirements once developed in the garden. In pots, water well when approaching dry.
Appearance and attributes of chrysanthemum
The chrysanthemum produces a stunning, long-lasting cut flower that's seen for sale almost all over around Mom's Day. But did you know that they can also make an exceptional garden and potted plants? They are pretty easy-care and are dependable bloomers, even for gardening newbies and black-thumbs.
Mainly understood for its fantastic flowers, the chrysanthemum looks magnificent in bloom. As a garden or potted plant, it is seldom taller than 50cm, and is frequently broader than it is tall, typically forming a dome or bun shape. There is tremendous variation in the flowers, from timeless, flat, daisy-like blooms to nearly globe-shaped flowers having been heavily hybridised.
Frequently seen in whites and yellows, the chrysanthemum is available in nearly every possible colour, from delicate pastels to solid reds, oranges and purples and every hue in-between! The foliage usually is an intense green and has a unique matt texture with no shine.
Growing chrysanthemum in the garden
Chrysanthemum makes an excellent bed linen plant, using smaller forms for borders and bigger ones as function colour. It's a fantastic addition to the garden for supplying cut flowers.
Growing chrysanthemum in pots
Chrysanthemum can be grown in pots either indoors or outdoors. Outdoors, pots make a brilliant feature plant for a table centrepiece, free-standing pot or a pot on a plinth, where the blooms are brought closer to eye height. Inside your home, a chrysanthemum in a pot forms the ultimate living bunch of flowers. Given a sunny spot inside your home, it can keep blooming for weeks, if not a month or more.
Chrysanthemums offered as blooming pot plants can be planted into the garden or outdoor pots after their flowering season has ended up. You can keep this gorgeous gift alive for many years to come.
How to plant and grow chrysanthemum
Being seasonal, chrysanthemum is quickly growing and needs the sunshine hours to permit this to take place. This suggests it likes a full-sun position. However, if you remain in a spot where the afternoon sun can get too extreme, provide some protection from this.
Chrysanthemum does well in average garden soil; however, it does prevent any soil where it may get too damp or dry, such as clay or sandy soils.
Although not vital, chrysanthemums will look and carry out much better if they are safeguarded from extreme or drying winds.
Planting chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum will carry out much better if the soil is improved before planting. Blend through some planting garden compost or well-composted manure. Then add controlled-release fertiliser to both the hole and the surface area post-planting. Mulch well with lucerne or pea straw, as this will accelerate the establishment and decrease water needs. Just ensure the mulch isn't pressed versus the stems.
When potting into a decorative pot or a bigger pot, utilise a premium-quality potting mix suitable for blooming plants. Extra fertiliser must not be needed. Make sure the pot has excellent drainage, as mums don't like damp feet.
Taking care of chrysanthemum
There will be variations in care based upon the types and range you are growing, so inspect the label for any specific requirements.
Although chrysanthemum is rather sturdy, the most satisfactory performance will come if your chrysanthemum is kept dependably moist. This does not imply damp. In the garden, mulch will help keep soil wetness stable. In pots, apply the finger test-- stick your finger into the mix and if it's dry listed below about 2cm, water carefully.
A yearly application of controlled-release fertiliser will keep your mums looking terrific. Supplementing this by periodically liquid feeding with a naturally strengthened product will improve essential development and blooming.
Make sure potted indoor plants are in a warm sunny place, but prevent direct afternoon sun. When possible, give them a break outdoors every few days. This is the ideal time to provide good watering, too.
Pruning chrysanthemum
There will be variations in pruning based upon the species and range of chrysanthemum, so check the label for any specific requirements.
If growing for more than a season, your chrysanthemum will need a hard pruning after their season. The herbaceous varieties will virtually pass away back to ground level, so you'll need to tidy them up. The woody kinds will require cutting back to short stems and getting rid of any dead or damaged stems.
If you are growing for bigger blooms to cut for the vase, minimise the number of flower buds that turn up. This will concentrate energy in the smaller variety of blossoms, leading to bigger specific flowers.
For basic growing, prune more youthful chrysanthemum plants to motivate bushiness and density. Eliminate any flowers as they complete, as this can help bring on extra, albeit smaller, flowers.
Pests and diseases impacting chrysanthemums
Healthy chrysanthemum plants experience extremely couple of insect or illness problems. Aphids might be an issue on new flower stems, and mites can colonise plants that are too crowded. Talk to a plant specialist in your nursery for advice on the best treatments for your situation.
Growing chrysanthemums from cuttings
The department of older plants will do most chrysanthemum propagation.
Thoroughly lift or de-pot the plants in spring as brand-new shoots are beginning to appear. Use a sharp garden knife or spade to divide, removing any dead or unhealthy parts as you do. Replant as soon as possible after the department, following the planting instructions above
