What does a Chrysanthemum look like
In the season when flowers are relatively scarce in winter and spring, chrysanthemums can always light up the living space with their colorful and brilliant flower colors. This succulent plant, native to Africa, not only has a long blooming period, but its unique leaf shape and combination of various flower colors make it a star variety of indoor potted plants. Understanding the plant's characteristics and soil requirements during the maintenance process is the key to cultivating healthy chrysanthemums.
Typical Morphological Characteristics of Chrysanthemum
Stem and Leaf Structure Characteristics
The compact chrysanthemum usually presents a low, shrub-like state, with straight stems and a low degree of lignification. The succulent leaves are symmetrically arranged, elliptical and spoon-shaped, with a leaf surface length of up to 8 centimeters. The blunt-toothed edge structure of the leaves can effectively reduce water evaporation. The leaf surface is covered with a natural waxy layer, and the leaf edges will show a red hue under sufficient light. This natural coloring phenomenon is an important indicator for judging the health of the plant.
Flower Ornamental Characteristics
The conical cymose inflorescence is composed of dozens of small, high-footed dish-shaped flowers, with a single flower diameter of about 1.5 centimeters but having a very high ornamental value in groups. Flower colors range from pure white to deep crimson, and some varieties even have a two-color gradient effect. The base of the flower tube swells to form a natural water storage structure, which allows the flowers to maintain their ornamental value for more than two weeks.
Chrysanthemum Soil Adaptability
As a typical succulent plant, chrysanthemum has a much higher adaptability to soil pH than ordinary flowers. Experimental data show that soils with a pH range of 5.5-7.8 can support its normal growth, with the key being to ensure the breathability of the matrix. It is recommended to use a mixture of peat soil and perlite at a ratio of 3:1, which can maintain a slightly acidic environment and enhance drainage performance through granular media. Regular addition of decomposed pine needles can maintain soil activity and prevent compaction from affecting root development.
Soil conditions can be judged by observing the growth state of the plant: when new leaves turn yellow but the veins remain green, the soil may be too alkaline; if the overall growth is slow, the soil breathability needs to be checked. When repotting every year, retain 1/3 of the original soil and add new matrix, which can maintain the balance of root microflora and gradually improve the soil structure.