Chrysanthemum – The Official October Month Flower In Ancient China

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Tribe:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Inula
Species:	Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, is at times called as chrysanths or mums. These are flowering plants belonging to the group called Asteraceae. The genus  Chrysanthemum naturally  inhabits  Northeastern Europe and Asia. A Majority of them have their origin from eastern Asia and their  center of diversity is in  China.  Among these are 40 precious varieties. The number of cultivars and horticultural are vast.

Chrysanthemum landed in England in 1795 after 2,500 years of cultivation in ancient China where they were the October month official flower.

Anatomy

You get chrysanthemum in all sizes and shapes;  their flowers vary from variety to variety. Even though you could  earlier obtain chrysanthemum as tiny yellow colored flowers, you can now find them in  red, pink, purple, white, green and so many other colors. The shapes of the flowers are global, round, button shaped and even daisy-shaped.

How to Cultivate Domestically

Preparation for planting

Chrysanthemums prosper when exposed to the sun; but adjust well in  partial shade as well, particularly during  the hot sun of the afternoon. Chrysanthemums prefer properly drained and enriched soil that you can  supplement with compost and organic materials. For best growth, feed them at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks, with liquid fertilizers. While planting, append the soil with organic, slow releasing fertilizers like pelletized chicken manure. Follow the edicts of Chrysanthemum flower care for best results.

Planting

Photo by: KENPEI

By gradual exposure to the weather in the month of April, by placing them in a coldframe,  accustom freshly proliferating  tender plants to outdoor conditions. Plant your chrysanthemums in the middle of May when the fear of frost is over. Plant them 45 cm (18 in) apart. Select a sunny area with shelter. Amend the soil to perfection, by adding well decayed organic matter (homemade compost) during winter in a ratio of 10 kg to a square meter (25 lbs per square yard), or as a thumb rule, one or two buckets full in a square meter or square yard. Towards the end of April, using a fork,  dress the soil with normal fertilizer {100 grams per Sq. m.   Or 4 oz.sq. Yd) of Growmore or fish and bone. In the month of June lay a ‘top dressing’ of fertilizer rich in nitrogen for enhancing the growth {35 g. Sq. m.  or 1 oz./sq.yd) of ammonium sulfate, and  in the case of organic gardeners, use  70g. /sq.m. (2oz. Sq. Yd) of pellets of dry poultry manure.

Placement and Watering

The moment your Chrysanthemum buds start opening, make sure your plants are blooming irrespective of where you have placed your  potted Chrysanthemums. Nevertheless the mums enjoy a long life and maximum blooming when located in  sunny areas. Water the fresh plants thoroughly;  never make them droop. Once set, give your mums weekly water of one inch.

Flowering Period

September-November.

After Bloom Care

Once the blooming of Chrysanthemum flower ceases, trim the plant back to eight inches and replant them in a properly drained soil in the ground. During the summer heat pinch back your mum plants to prevent the buds from forming, thereby the plant will grow bushy. Refrain from pinching the buds of your mum plant after Labor Day, and the Chrysanthemum in your ground will compensate you with their gorgeous fall colors for years.

As Cut Flowers

Photo by: KENPEI

Chrysanthemum flowers have a vase life of three weeks; they last long and are fresh as cut flowers in the vase. To keep the fresh flowers in the bunch, recut the stems every other day and replace the water often. Chrysanthemums grow in any ground-in perennial borders, at the front of shrubberies, or under roses;  some dwarf forms look great in rock gardens. Under bright light, Chrysanthemums prosper indoors and also as potted plants.