How to Cultivate and Precautions for Ball Chrysanthemum
This article provides a guide on the cultivation methods and precautions for ball chrysanthemum, as well as the correct watering techniques for this plant. Let's delve into the details together.
Many people can't resist the temptation to buy when they see the dazzlingly beautiful ball chrysanthemum flowers. While others can grow a plant that blooms hundreds or even thousands of flowers, will it flourish just as well in your hands?
Below, I will directly share with you how to care for ball chrysanthemum, such as the young potted plants you just bought. The blooming period of ball chrysanthemum is very long, from the initial bud formation to the complete wilting of the flowers, which usually takes about 1 to 2 months. This means you can enjoy its flowers from September to November.
Ball chrysanthemum comes in many varieties with extremely vibrant and rich colors. Few plants have such a variety of flower colors, aside from roses and dahlias. Many friends think of ball chrysanthemum as an annual plant and discard it after flowering, which is really a pity. In fact, it can be maintained as a perennial.
1. Acclimatizing newly purchased potted plants
Many friends choose to buy relatively inexpensive ball chrysanthemum potted plants online or from nurseries in September and October. When they receive the plants, they often have many flower buds. How should these potted ball chrysanthemums be cared for?
If the potted ball chrysanthemum plant is already strong and robust, with a very lush crown, place it in a well-ventilated and sunny area after bringing it home, and let it acclimatize for 3 to 5 days. Water it thoroughly once, and once the plant adapts to the home environment, it can slowly be exposed to light.
How to Cultivate and Precautions for Ball Chrysanthemum
About a week later, you can provide ample sunlight to ensure normal blooming of the flowers. During the bud formation period, you can supplement with a solution of monopotassium phosphate or Flower多多 No. 2 every 5 to 7 days, with a concentration of 1000 times, to ensure normal blooming and prevent the buds from falling off.
If the young ball chrysanthemum plants you just bought are not yet robust, you need to manage them carefully to prevent them from withering.
These young potted ball chrysanthemum plants can be acclimatized first, watered thoroughly, and placed in a well-ventilated and sunny area without rushing to repot or expose them to strong sunlight immediately. Wait until the soil is dry by 60% to 70%, then water thoroughly. After about 3 to 5 days, you can gradually expose them to light, increasing the amount of light over time, and after about 1 to 2 weeks, you can provide ample sunlight.
2. Precautions for repotting
Once the young potted ball chrysanthemum plants have adapted to the home environment, you can repot them, moving them directly to a larger pot with soil. When repotting, be careful not to damage the roots and keep the soil around the roots intact. You can remove the top layer of soil and add some slow-release fertilizer or decomposed sheep manure to the bottom of the pot to ensure sufficient nutrients for future growth.
Do not repot the young ball chrysanthemum plants into a too large pot all at once. Each new pot should only be one size larger than the previous one, for example, moving from a 12 cm pot to a 15 cm pot.
3. Regular pinching
After repotting, do not expose the plants to direct sunlight immediately. Provide gentle light first, and after watering thoroughly, gradually increase the light exposure. Then, you can place them in a very sunny environment. Ensuring sufficient light is crucial for the plant to thrive. During the growing period, if you notice any overly long branches, make sure to pinch them off. Also, any flowers that form when the branches are not yet robust are recommended to be pinched off as well.