Chrysanthemum Cutting Techniques
A mini knowledge series on plant management, this article focuses on chrysanthemums, a member of the Asteraceae family. Here, we discuss chrysanthemum cutting techniques, which our editor will introduce to netizens.
Chrysanthemum cutting is an important method of propagation for chrysanthemums. For average flower enthusiasts, it is not only important to understand the techniques but also the timing of chrysanthemum cutting to improve survival rates. Chrysanthemum cutting can be carried out from mid-March to early August, with cuttings in July and August often used for single-stemmed chrysanthemum cultivation.
For home potted chrysanthemums, it is common to keep the root buds from the previous year and let them sprout from the roots again in the second spring. If these buds are left to grow, the branches will become very long by autumn, which is not aesthetically pleasing and also reduces the number of flowers. Therefore, it is necessary to cut the branches and then propagate by cutting.
Chrysanthemum cutting is called soft cutting, which is different from the hard cutting used for woody flowers like roses, raspberries, gardenias, and hibiscus. As a herbaceous plant, chrysanthemum soft cutting uses the upper half of the branches, including the terminal bud. The specific steps are as follows:
1. Cut the chrysanthemum branch in half, keeping the upper part, and cut it into segments 20 centimeters long.
2. Each segment should retain one leaf bud, and the top part should keep the terminal bud. Then, soak them in a rooting powder solution for two hours.
3. Choose soil rich in humus. First, water the soil to make it moist, then use a stick to make a 6-8 centimeter deep hole at an angle. Insert the chrysanthemum branch into the hole and press the soil firmly around it.
4. After pressing the branches, spray water again to make the soil wet and penetrate. Place it in a cool and well-ventilated area.
5. After watering, make a sunshade. Cover it during the day and open it at night. Regularly spray water with a spray bottle to keep the soil moist.
6. When the upper leaf buds sprout, they can be exposed to sunlight in the morning and afternoon but should not be exposed to the midday sun.
7. After the cuttings have taken root, they can be transplanted and exposed to more sunlight. At this time, water control is necessary; avoid watering too frequently to prevent excessive growth.
8. Start fertilizing in September. Initially, use nitrogen fertilizer or compound fertilizer to promote branch and leaf growth. After October, apply more phosphorus fertilizer to promote bud development. It is also important to spray pesticides, such as "long-effective phosphorus" or "one-time clean," to prevent the growth of aphids.
9. When the buds grow out, keep only one large bud and remove the rest. At this time, make sure to keep up with the fertilization and watering. By the end of October, the flowers will gradually start to bloom (referring to the Qingdao area).
Do you now understand the detailed introduction to the chrysanthemum cutting techniques (flower friend's experience version) shared above?