Dicotyledonous class, Asterid subclass, Astrocolor order, Compositae (Asteraceae) family, Aster subfamily, perennial or annual - all this is about chrysanthemum. It is used in landscaping as a valuable late flowering plant and is also a leading cut crop, ranking second in popularity after rose.
The story of the Golden Flower
In the culture of China - literature and painting, flower symbolism is of great importance. An archaeological find has survived to this day - a vase with the image of chrysanthemums, which is 2500 years old. Noble persons cultivated the then few types of chrysanthemums as evidence of their noble origin.
Golden-yellow inflorescences, which almost did not differ from wild ones, were used not only as ornamentals, but also as medicinal and edible plants.
Green types of chrysanthemums are popular in landscape design, photos of which are presented here.
The Chinese associate many images with chrysanthemum. Yellow - symbolizes serene happiness. Chrysanthemums in hoarfrost - stamina and sublime loneliness. In China, it is customary to give drawings depicting various types of chrysanthemums for the holidays as a sign of a wish for we alth and abundance.
In the 7th centurychrysanthemum came to Japan, where it became an unofficial state symbol. "Kiku" - the sun, as the Japanese call it. Sharp petals, of which there are always 16 in the image, represent the sun's rays that give life. Kiku is a sign of divine power, longevity and happiness, a symbol of perfection.
In the 18th century, the chrysanthemum finds its fans in Europe and America.
Carl Linnaeus, the founder of the classification system for the species of all life on Earth, named the flower chrysanthemum, which means “golden flower” in Greek.
Species, names of chrysanthemums and varieties have increased significantly over the long years of breeding work.
For a long time, breeders preferred large varieties of flowers. Now more and more hybrid Korean or garden chrysanthemums are being grown.
Description of chrysanthemum
Rhizomes are branched, thickened, located at a depth of 25 cm. Stolons are formed underground on them - elongated lateral shoots, on which shortened stems with leaves develop. Shoots erect, often branched, 25 to 150 cm high. Leaves dissected, smooth or pubescent.
Reed flowers in baskets define the shape of the bud. Description and types of chrysanthemums are presented in the international classification of the Dresden Horticultural Institute. They are divided into 2 groups - simple and terry. Groups are divided, in turn, into classes. The group of simple chrysanthemums includes 3 classes - non-terry, terry andanemone. Terry includes bent hanging, flat, hemispherical, spherical, curly, pompom, spider-like.
All modern varieties are subdivided:
- large-flowered - when side buds are removed, it can form 1 inflorescence with a diameter of up to 30 cm;
- bouquet (branched) - have the shape of a bush with large baskets (10–20 cm);
- miniature;
- decorative - using various methods of formation, they achieve a bouquet or large-flowered form.
Chrysanthemums are dependent on the length of daylight hours. Long daylight hours contribute to the growth of the vegetative mass of the plant, short - 14 hours, the rapid growth of inflorescences. Varieties that are highly sensitive and moderately sensitive to day length are grown indoors. Neutral varieties are suitable for outdoor use.
According to the timing of flowering, varieties are distinguished:
- early - bloom from August to October;
- mid-late - from October to November;
- late - from November to December.
Flowering outdoors continues until frost.
Promising varieties
Gardeners know 2 groups of chrysanthemums - Indian and Korean. Bush chrysanthemum (its species are more resistant to cold temperatures and are suitable for growing in unprotected soil) are not afraid of light frosts.
Description and types of chrysanthemums, promising for cultivation in temperate climates, can be seen below:
- Aisa- a variety of early flowering, non-double. Pale salmon flowers, 5 cm in diameter.
- Evening lights - curb variety. The inflorescences have a transitional color: from deep red at the edges to yellow in the center.
- Koreanochka - blooms profusely from July to the end of September with light orange baskets.
- Kibalchish boy - bright purple inflorescences are placed on a compact, spherical bush. Early flowering.
- Amethyst - flowers change color from rose yellow in July to pearly pink in October.
- Svetozar - milky-white inflorescences, terry. Mid-late variety.
- Ryaba hen - on a columnar bush there are many dark orange flowers with yellow edges of the petals, 4 cm in diameter.
- Krepysh is a border variety. It blooms profusely until frost with dark yellow baskets.
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Ampel variety of chrysanthemum Morifolium Cascade produces small, daisy-like flowers.
- Alek Bedser - cultivated in protected ground. It blooms in September with a single flower of yellow-cream color, 14 cm in diameter.
Vegetable chrysanthemum is an annual plant. It is eaten as a source of vitamins, minerals and biologically active substances. Chrysanthemum crowned has a delicate aroma and spicy taste. The green mass of plants is used as food. According to the content of the antioxidant complex, it is comparable to ginseng root. Garden chrysanthemum (species, varieties and hybrids) is cultivated in greenhouse conditions.
Bas a result of selection, many varieties have been created that differ in the shape and color of inflorescences, in terms of timing and duration of flowering.
Growing Requirements
Chrysanthemum, its species and varieties prefer slightly acidic soils well fertilized with compost or dry mullein. Does not tolerate waterlogging. On excessively fertilized humus, it actively builds up vegetative organs, flowering worsens. Grows well in high flower beds, in well-lit warm places.
Planting material in the form of rooted cuttings is planted in the soil after the end of frost - in May-June. The root neck is placed at ground level. For planting work, choose a cool time of day or cloudy days. Freshly planted chrysanthemums are covered with an awning from the sun. On the first day, the growth point is removed - the first pinch is made. The next pinch in 2 weeks is breaking out the top of the shoot.
Chrysanthemums will bloom earlier if you create a blackout for them from 6 pm to 8 am. Water abundantly in dry weather and during the growth of shoots.
Care
More than 2-3 years you can not grow any kind of chrysanthemums in one area. And care for the substrate must be thorough. The supply of nutrients in the soil decreases and there is a risk of infection. In the first month, an intensive formation of a bush occurs - the plant requires loosening the soil. Before the appearance of the first bud, the bushes are watered 3 times a week. Mulching protects chrysanthemums from pests and fungal diseases. Pine needles and shredded bark are used as mulch.or straw.
It is necessary to do 3 top dressings over the summer - before budding, at the beginning of budding and during lush flowering.
To get a lush bush, shorten the stems. Pinching is done throughout June. In plants with large flowers, side shoots are removed, ensuring the growth of the main ones. Large-flowered leaves 1 or 2 stems.
Wintering
Some varieties of Korean chrysanthemum tolerate winter well outdoors in dry areas. Wintering on wet soil is detrimental to the flower. Chrysanthemums are made high or low, under the root, pruned and spud. Then cover with spruce branches. You can cover with wooden boxes, and wrap old blankets on top. With the onset of spring, old stems and shoots are removed. Underground side shoots will give new life to the flower.
Large-flowered heat-loving chrysanthemums overwinter in a bright room at a temperature of 5-7°C. Highly pruned plants are placed in boxes. With the advent of sprouts, water sparingly.
Reproduction
Seeds are sown in moist soil at the end of winter. It is not necessary to sprinkle with earth - the seeds germinate in the light. The resulting sprouts are placed in pots, planted in the ground in May, in holes.
When grafting by variety, uterine bushes are selected. Stem cuttings are cut in autumn, planted in boxes and kept warm for 10 days at first, watering moderately. Then placed in a cool room. In the spring, apical offspring appear from the roots, from which cuttings are taken for propagation. To get a multi-stemmed bush, cuttings begin to be harvested from March to April. May to Junestock up on material for growing single-stemmed large-flowered plants.
When propagating by division, a bush is dug up in the spring, taken apart and planted in a new place. Moreover, each sprout has its own roots. It is recommended to divide the bush and plant it every 3 years. This will have a positive effect on flowering.
Pests and diseases
White rust is caused by the parasite Puccinia horiana, which is a quarantine item. White spots appear on the leaves, which then turn brown. Diseased leaves fall off. Plant stops blooming.
Exposure to anamorphic fungi causes leaf and stem blotch.
Buds and inflorescences are affected by Alternariosis.
California thrips, greenhouse aphids, spider mites harm chrysanthemums in greenhouses and in open ground.
Cucumber mosaic virus is transmitted by vegetative propagation. Leaves with light green spots die off and fall off. Deformation and dwarfism of plants develops.
Fungicides and insecticides are sprayed to control pests and fungi.
Kall nematode is a dangerous pest. Fighting it often does not lead to success. Experienced gardeners advise digging up infected bushes and burning them.
You can use folk remedies to control insects. If the aphids have not bred in large numbers, wash the bushes with soapy water.
A garlic extract gives a good result: 50 g of chopped garlic is poured into 1 glass of water. After 30 minutes, strain and add800 ml of water. 1.5 cups of extract are diluted in a bucket of water and spilled over bushes.
It is impossible to get rid of pests and diseases without preventive measures:
- It is necessary to do an autumn deep digging of the site - wintering larvae and pupae die.
- Weeds are destroyed not only next to flowers and in greenhouses, but throughout the site.
- Disinfection of garden tools and all greenhouse structures.
All fallen leaves must be burned.
Pot chrysanthemums
For normal growth at home or on the balcony, flowers do not need a lot of sun. The optimum temperature is up to 15° C. Chrysanthemum species in pots grow well on peat with low acidity. The composition of the soil for potting includes soddy and humus soil, burnt manure and 20% sand.
Growing sequence:
- 2-3 weeks with long daylight hours at t over 20° C;
- when shortening the daylight hours to 12 hours and lowering t to 18–20 ° C, flowering begins.
Water and spray well. Growing flowers require transplanting into large containers. Any kind of chrysanthemum can be grown as indoor. Types of indoor chrysanthemums for growing in pots are better to take medium-sized - up to 50 cm, decorative and small-flowered.
Growing in greenhouses
There are many ways to grow in greenhouses:
- Boxed cuttings withthe onset of heat is transferred to open ground. At the end of flowering, the plants are planted in pots. Then they are sent to the greenhouse to continue flowering.
- Rooted cuttings can be planted in pots. As the bush grows, larger pots are required. Bushes are planted in a film greenhouse immediately, bypassing open ground.
- Accelerated cultivation is based on the choice of variety and takes into account the biological characteristics of the species. During vegetative growth, daylight hours should be at least 14 hours, t 18–20 °. When buds are formed, the day is shortened to 10 hours, the temperature is reduced to 10 °.
With this technology, 2-3 flowering per year is possible. In order to receive flower products at the desired time, well-equipped greenhouses are needed to grow all types of chrysanthemums, where the microclimate, dimming or electric lighting of bushes, and the required level of humidity are regulated.
Garden types of chrysanthemums are distinguished by a variety of colors, the photo of which is placed above.
In southern California in the 1930s, gardeners under industrial conditions tried to cultivate various types of chrysanthemums in hydroponic plants. And cultivation in this way proved to be successful.
Sand and gravel are used as hydroponic substrates.
The advantage of the hydroponic method over the traditional one is that the flowers quickly form strong shoots, bright leaves and richly colored inflorescences, a powerful root system is formed.
Chrysanthemums, in view oftheir medicinal properties, during abundant flowering, they have a beneficial effect on human he alth. All varieties and species - garden, greenhouse, bush and single-stem - create a favorable microclimate around them. Releases bactericidal substances and essential oils, filling the air with a bitter aroma.
The medicinal properties of the flower have been known for a long time. The leaves contain a large number of trace elements - K, Mg, Zn, Se, necessary for human life. In China, it is believed that chrysanthemum flowers, brewed with green tea, increase its refreshing, flavoring and healing properties.
