Chrysanthemum is next only to rose in importance among the flowers in the world. it is versatile, can be planted in the bed, cultured in the pot, used for garland - making and also as cut flower for flower arrangement.
Chrysanthemum Blooms are Two Types
- Disc Floret : situated, in the center, tubular with five united petals. They are usually shorter and contain both male and female reproductive parts; they are called perfect flowers
- Ray Floret : which surround the disc-florets and are comparatively longer, vary in shape, colour and direction of growth. The ray-florets are called imperfect flowers as they contain only the female reproductive parts.
Growing Requirements of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum plants are easiest of all perennials to grow
- Produce large number of flowers if they are planted / placed in full sunshine. They respond to plenty of food and moisture
- There are hundreds of vanities of Chrysanthemums, Giving you a multitude of options for height, colour, flower size and time of bloom. You can pick and choose to fit your wants and needs when you visit the Nursery.
- They should be planted into well prepared, fertile, sandy media, they resent ‘WET FOOT’ .
Cultivation
- Chrysanthemum plants have a fibrous root system which is sensitive to waterlogging. prone to attack by diseases and pests, but, fairly tolerent to drought.
- Ideal soil mixture pH to be’6.2-6.7 is required.
- Light : Chrysanthemum plants continue to grow vegetatively till the nights are shorter than critical level (91/2 hr for most traditium ‘I varieties.)
- Temperature : The growth rate in chrysanthemum remains at low level at or below 100C. As the temperature is raised to 150 C the growth rate increases rapidly.
Cultural Practices
- Propagation : Age-old method of propagation from suckers, it is easy to establish and almost no mortality and easy take-off due to already persistent roots. However cuttings also root well
- Feeding : In early stages supply nitrogen using only organic manures. Phosphorus is best applied as basal dressing since it is released slowly. Proportion of Potassium should be increased as the flower buds appear.
- Water management : The frequency of watering depends on the stage of growth, soil and weather conditions. Avoid water logging during the rainy season. Potted plants are either provided temporary shelter or kept in horizontal position during the constant downpour.
- Nipping of growing tips encourages multiple branching and results better plant shape and more flowers.
Plant Protection
Pests
- Aphids and Thrips (Sucking Pests) : Spraying of mild insecticides like tobacco leaf decoction or malathion 2m1 / liter of water is effective against them.
- Red Spider Mite : Spraying with Metasystox or Kelthane 2m1/liter of water controls the pest
- Hairy Caterpillar (Diacrsia Obliqua) : Manual collection in mild attacks and spray of Ekalux 2m1/litre of water at weekly intervals in heavy infestation.
- Grub (Holotrichia) : Soil application of Carbofuran 3G 10gms/cubic feet of soil in the pot.
Diseases
- Root Rot (caused by Pythium spp. or Rhizoctonia sp.) : Use sterilized medium, and treatment of cuttings and the medium with Thiram and Captan effectively control it
- Leaf Spot (caused by Septoria Chrysanthemella) : Greyish brown spots appear on leaves which turn yellow and ultimately die. The disease spreads from below upwards. It can be controlled by Bavistin lgms or Dithane M-45 3gms/litre of water
- Wilt (caused by Verticillium) : The leaves turn yellow to grey and the branch or whole plant gradually. The use of diseasefree planting material and planting in sterilized medium prevent the infection.
- Stunt (caused by Stunt Virus) : Spreads by mechanical means through cutting knife or secateur resulting in the overall dwarfing, paleness in leaf colour and the appearance of small yellow green dots in summer in some varieties.
- A Spermy (caused by Aspermy Virus) : This virus is transmitted by aphids and results in distortion of flower and reduction in flower size with florets becoming wary. Heat therapy considerably reduces the incidence and consists of keeping the plant at 400C for 2 hours and also control of sucking pests
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