How to grow chrysanthemums that are short and strong
This article provides some tips on how to grow short and strong chrysanthemums, as well as information on the planting methods and maintenance of green ornamental plants. Let's learn about it together.
Chrysanthemum cultivation and management techniques
Chrysanthemum is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Compositae family, which is not only ornamental but also medicinal. It has the effects of dispelling wind and heat, clearing liver and eyes, and detoxifying. Regular consumption of chrysanthemum tea can regulate cardiac function and lower cholesterol. Cultivating chrysanthemums on a certain area can yield considerable economic benefits.
1 Requirements for growing environment
Chrysanthemums prefer warm climates and environments with plenty of sunlight, can tolerate cold but not drought. Chrysanthemums are short-day plants, which can bloom earlier under short-day conditions. Chrysanthemums sprout in spring, grow vegetatively in summer, bloom in autumn, and overwinter underground in winter. The optimal growth temperature is between 18°C to 21°C, with a maximum of 32°C and a minimum of 10°C.
2 Cultivation techniques
2.1 Site selection and preparation. Chrysanthemums are not very picky about soil, but waterlogged and heavily saline-alkali soils are not suitable for planting. After selecting the site, it is necessary to prepare the land carefully to ensure a good harvest. First, deeply plow the soil to a depth of 20 to 25 cm, and apply 2,000 to 2,500 kg of compost or decomposed manure per mu, mixing it into the soil as a base fertilizer. Then level and rake the soil, and create high ridges 120 to 130 cm wide, with good drainage ditches around the plot.
2.2 Propagation methods
2.2.1 Division propagation. After harvesting chrysanthemums in November, cut the stems and dig out the roots to plant in the field, apply soil manure, and keep warm for overwintering. In the second year, before the sprouts appear in spring, water with manure. When the seedlings are about 15 cm tall around Guyu (Grain Rain), dig up the seedlings and divide them into several plants, plant them immediately, and water to settle the roots. The transplanting time should not be later than mid-May.
2.2.2 Cutting propagation. Perform cuttings from April to May or from June to August. Cut the branches in the middle, keeping the upper half, cut into sections 20 cm long, each section should retain one leaf bud, and the top part should retain the terminal bud, then treat with plant hormones before planting, with a spacing of 6 to 7 cm, press firmly and water thoroughly. After 20 days of rooting, water with manure once.
2.3 Field management
2.3.1 Hoeing and weeding. Generally, 4 to 5 times of weeding are carried out before the chrysanthemums bloom, preferably shallow rather than deep. Hoeing should be done every two months, and mounding soil is necessary to prevent lodging.
2.3.2 Topdressing. Chrysanthemums like fertilizer, in addition to the base fertilizer, topdressing is also required during the growing period, usually 3 times. The first time is after transplanting and the plants recover, applying 10 to 15 kg of urea per mu to promote seedling growth; the second time is when the plants branch out; and the third time is during the bud formation stage, with the amount of fertilizer not too large, similar to the first time.
2.3.3 Bud removal. Removing chrysanthemum buds can increase yield. In late May, when the seedlings are 25 cm tall, select a sunny day to remove the top 1 to 2 cm of the plant. Then, pinch the top every half month until mid to late July. Otherwise, too many branches may lead to poor nutrition, affecting the yield and quality of the chrysanthemums.
2.4 Disease and pest control
2.4.1 Root rot. Root rot appears as dry rot or tangled hemp-like, leaves turn yellow and wither, usually occurring before and after flowering. Control methods: appropriate watering, drainage in waterlogging and irrigation in drought, and loosening the soil.
2.4.2 Leaf spot. Initially, the plant leaves show yellow and dark brown circular or elliptical spots of varying sizes, then the center of the lesions has small black dots, the basal leaves turn yellow and dry, and gradually the upper leaves and flower buds become diseased. Control methods: avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, ensure good drainage and ventilation, and promptly remove diseased leaves. Use 80% wettable zinc omethane 500 times solution or 1% Bordeaux mixture for prevention and treatment, spray 2 to 3 times a month before the disease, and spray once every 7 days when the disease occurs.
2.4.3 Downy mildew. Caused by a flagellate fungus. It mainly affects the leaves, and when the air is humid, a powdery mildew layer appears on the back of the leaves, sometimes spreading to the front, and in severe cases, all outer leaves turn yellow and die. Control methods: In the early stage of the disease, spray with 60% mefenoxam wettable powder 800 to 1000 times solution and 65% wettable zinc omethane 500 times solution. Ensure timely drainage during the rainy season. Avoid continuous cropping and implement a 3-year or more rotation with cereals.
3 Harvesting and processing
Generally, harvesting is done from Frost's Descent to the Start of Winter. White chrysanthemums (including Mo Chrysanthemum, Huai Chrysanthemum, Sichuan Chrysanthemum) are cut and bundled into small bunches, hung upside down to dry in the shade, then the flower heads are cut off, sorted, packaged, and brought to market.
The above is[] about how to grow short and strong chrysanthemums, planting methods, and maintenance, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!