It's hard to imagine that for more than two and a half thousand years, people around the world have been delighting with their magnificent flowering of chrysanthemums. The name of the flower is translated from Greek as "golden flower". Indian chrysanthemum is widely distributed in our country among gardeners and lovers of indoor floriculture.
Description
This is a fairly large perennial plant. Chrysanthemum Indian in the garden grows up to 1.5 meters. It has simple stems, serrate-toothed leaves (dissected). The inflorescence is a basket in which seeds ripen by December. It enters into active flowering in September-November.
Under natural conditions, the Indian chrysanthemum is distributed throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus and India. In open ground, these plants grow only in the southern regions. In terms of the duration of flowering, only orchids can be compared with these magnificent flowers. But one of the advantages of chrysanthemums is the time of flowering - deep autumn, when the brightnessnatural colors are already muted. This luxurious flowers attract the increased attention of lovers and connoisseurs of natural beauty.
Large chrysanthemums began to be called Indian, because earlier all oriental plants were called that way. To date, more than ten thousand varieties of Indian chrysanthemums have been bred. All of them differ in the shape of leaves and flowers, color, size. The Indian chrysanthemum, with its large flowers, is especially attractive, but it is the most difficult to grow for a beginner garden grower. True, by applying the advice of experienced flower growers and having prepared everything you need, you can grow magnificent flowers that will not only decorate the site, but also become your pride. There are two methods for growing garden and indoor chrysanthemums.
Chrysanthemum Indian: growing from seeds
If you decide to grow indoor chrysanthemum yourself or decorate a garden with such flowers, you will need:
- regular soil (from a garden plot, for example) it is desirable that it contains an admixture of sand and peat, you can use a ready-made store mix for flowering plants;
- several plastic cups or one large flat container;
- watering can and water sprayer;
- fluorescent lamp;
- glass for microenvironment.
If you are going to sow seeds not in a store composition that has undergone all the necessary processing, then to prevent diseases, the soil should be calcined or frozen. Many experienced flower growers leave a bag of earth on the balcony for the winter, which freezes well. But it is possible for thispurpose to use the freezer.
Make small grooves in the soil and sow two or three seeds in them at a distance of ten centimeters from each other, so it will be easier to plant seedlings after they germinate. Lightly sprinkle the seeds with earth (no more than one centimeter), moisten them a little with water from the sprayer, and cover the container with glass. We leave it in this state in a well-lit place for seven days - that is how long it will take for the first shoots to appear.
Chrysanthemum Indian from seed is not easy to grow, but the process is very exciting. This plant is very photophilous. Already seven days after planting, you will need a fluorescent lamp. But the air temperature should not be high - no more than +20 ° C. The lamp can be abandoned in the only case - if the windows of the room where the plants are located face the sunny side and the light hits them at least 6-8 hours a day. Until full rooting, the Indian chrysanthemum remains in the primary container. The seeds usually produce fairly strong seedlings that can be planted in a permanent pot or in the ground in the garden.
Cutting
This type of plant propagation has its own rules:
- In the spring, cuttings about 20 centimeters long are planted in the soil for rooting.
- For better germination in the garden, they are covered with plastic wrap on arcs, and in indoor floriculture, a bag with holes for ventilation is used for this.
- With cuttings, the film should nottouch.
- After the appearance of the first sprouts, the film is removed.
- It is advisable to feed the shoots with nitrogen fertilizers.
- Seedlings are grown before rooting, and after planting in open ground they are covered with a film.
Indian chrysanthemum is a fairly hardy plant. It is cold-resistant, but very photophilous. In the Central regions of Russia in the open field, chrysanthemum develops slowly, flowering does not last long, its inflorescences are not too large. It is better to plant a plant in a flower bed in May.
Indian indoor chrysanthemum: home care
Indoor chrysanthemum needs loose nutritious soil with neutral acidity. In garden soil (4 parts), add the same amount of turf, 1 part of humus and 1 part of sand. In order for the plant to develop properly and bloom luxuriantly, chrysanthemum is fed twice a month:
- Nitrogen fertilizers are used during leaf growth;
- during the budding period - phosphorus and potash.
Indian chrysanthemum, the care of which is quite difficult for beginner growers, does not tolerate high temperatures. In order for it to please with its flowering for a long time, it is necessary to constantly maintain a temperature not higher than +15 ° C. In summer, the pot with the plant is moved to a well-ventilated place, protected from direct sunlight, and in winter, the chrysanthemum is stored at +5 ° C. It should be noted that the lack of light will not benefit the flower - it simply will not bloom, so they are not suitable for it.north windows.
Irrigation
Indian chrysanthemum loves water, so it should be watered every three days when the topsoil dries out. If you miss the next watering, then open flowers and unopened buds will begin to fade. The plant should also not be flooded, so as not to provoke rotting of the roots. For irrigation, it is necessary to use water that has been separated for two days.
Cutting
The first pruning is carried out to form a bush - in a chrysanthemum, the upper part of the shoot is cut off two, and sometimes three times. This promotes the growth of lateral processes. The last pinching is carried out about two weeks before the buds bloom.
One more pruning of the bush must be done before placing the flower in a cool, dark and dry place for winter storage. The shoots are cut, leaving ten centimeters of the stem.
Diseases and pests
Indian chrysanthemum is afraid of some pests. The most dangerous for her are red spider mites, chrysanthemum nematodes and aphids. With too much watering, the flower is affected by powdery mildew. In this case, it is necessary to treat the diseased plant with an insecticide.
Useful properties
Many varieties of chrysanthemums have medicinal properties, some of them are edible. As a medicinal raw material, flower petals are used, collected during the period when the plant blooms intensively. They contain:
- essential oils;
- glycoside;
- camphor;
- vitamin A;
- choline;
- adenine.
In addition, they contain eufualacon, which is the core of chamazulene. Chrysanthemum flowers are used for brewing. This herbal tea increases appetite. And essential oils have a beneficial effect on the subcortex of the brain. This is an effective remedy that is used in complex therapy for Parkinson's disease. An infusion of petals prepared in a water bath quickly relieves heat and fever. Chrysanthemum Indian growing from seeds.
Popular species
All varieties of Indian chrysanthemum can be listed for a very long time. All of them are great in their own way. Most of these flowers are the result of painstaking selection work. They are the embodiment of style and beauty, sophistication and originality, sophistication and extravagance. So, we invite you to get acquainted with some popular varieties.
Aurora Chrysanthemum
Distinguished by flat orange inflorescences. Flowers reach a diameter of ten centimeters. Flowering - from September to October. The plant is suitable for growing in the backyard, its height is about a meter.
Anastasia
White, pink, yellow, lilac, lemon or green flowers, up to 17 centimeters in diameter. The inflorescence is flat, refined and very fragile. Flowering continues throughout autumn.
Artist
Flat inflorescence with two-tone petals: stripes of pink and white. Small bush, long flowering, suitablefor indoor growing.
Vimini
Small cute "sunflower". The petals are colored orange, lemon or yellow with a brown core. Blooms for a short time.
Carnival
This variety has double flowers and a variety of shades. Blooms long and profusely.
Like Worth
Magnificent daisy chrysanthemums. Flat and large orange inflorescences with a yellow stripe are collected around a green core. They are the epitome of simplicity and originality.
North Bai
Very long flowering. The medium sized flowers have a yellow-green center and two-tone yellow-white petals with a purple edge.
Snow Elf
Pompon white terry chrysanthemum. Flowers in diameter do not exceed eight centimeters. Bush of medium height.
