Chrysanthemum Baltica: photo, planting and care, reproduction

Chrysanthemum Baltic leaves no one indifferent. This is a type of spray chrysanthemum of the Astrov family. Flower lovers grow it in the garden or on the windowsill. In any case, this plant of amazing beauty looks luxurious. Photo of chrysanthemum Baltika:

It is recommended to make bouquets from different types of the Baltic

Features of growing bush chrysanthemum Baltika

Growing a variety is easy. It also reproduces well. Baltika has one nuance – it loses its decorative effect when grown in a permanent place for more than 5 years. This must be taken into account when planning a site or flower bed. The plant develops well on the street and on the windowsill. The difference in external conditions affects the size of the flower. Outdoor chrysanthemum Baltika forms buds 10-25 cm, and indoor chrysanthemum about 12 cm. It is also grown indoors as an annual. The remaining parameters do not differ significantly:

1. The plant is bushy, height in adulthood is about 90 cm outdoors and 30 cm indoors.
2. The flowering period comes in September. This is an early flowering chrysanthemum variety.
3. The roots are branched and thickened. Close enough to the surface of the earth.
4. The inflorescences resemble a ball in shape, the flowers are large, with reed petals. Rosettes are tight, the aroma is very delicate with honey notes. The buds have a different color than the Baltika variety and attracts gardeners. Refers to large-flowered chrysanthemums.
5. The leaves are dark green, divided, pinnate. The upper part of the leaf plate is slightly fleecy, and the lower part is completely smooth. The edges are serrated.

Some parameters may vary depending on the region of cultivation.

The variety is very fond of light, but requires protection from the midday heat. It has a lot of advantages over other varieties of spray chrysanthemums:

• frost resistance and the ability to bloom until frost;
• endurance and unpretentiousness;
• great color variability;
• stability after cutting;
• possibility of cultivation on the street and in the room.

Gardeners claim that the Baltic is devoid of flaws. Therefore, the variety is very popular.

Types of colors of chrysanthemum Baltica

The different coloring of the buds of the bush variety allows you to choose a plant with the desired characteristic. The growing algorithm is identical for any species. Therefore, you can simultaneously plant several varieties of the Baltic.

Among the most popular should be noted:

1. White Baltic or White (Baltica White). Snow-white large inflorescences, unpretentiousness to growing conditions, suitability for cutting are important parameters of the variety. The height of the chrysanthemum Baltic White bush is from 60 to 70 cm. Greenish blotches are found in the middle of the petals. Chrysanthemum Baltica white is considered a royal species.
   
   

   The white chrysanthemum is best used as the dominant flower in a bouquet.

2. Pink Baltica or Pink (Baltica Рink). The color of the petals is pink and mint, the height of the bush is 85 cm. The flowers are very delicate, looks great in the cut. Chrysanthemum Baltica Pink goes well with chrysanthemums of other tones.
   
   

   Pink inflorescences give tenderness to any composition, this must be taken into account when planting a variety

3. Yellow Baltic or Yellow (Baltic Yellow). The color of spherical inflorescences is bright yellow. Sometimes lemon yellow. Chrysanthemum Baltic Yellow is considered the largest and most popular variety. The height of an adult stem is about 65 cm.
   
   

   Fiery colors are preferable to plant near coniferous crops.

4. Lemon Baltika or Lime (Baltica Lime). A very unusual color of flowers immediately attracts attention. The petals are painted in white-green color with lemon-green edges. Chrysanthemum gives additional charm to the large size of spherical inflorescences.
   
   

   A variety of similar coloring looks good in combination with other perennials of saturated colors.

5. Baltika Vip (Baltic VIP). This is a hybrid that differs in the number of inflorescences. On one bush, they are formed much more than in the usual variety. The color of the petals is extraordinary – light pink, with streaks of lilac or purple flowers.
   
   

   The unique shade of the hybrid is more expedient to use in cutting than in a regular flower bed

6. Lilac Baltic or Lilac (Baltic Lilac). The petals of this variety are very wide, and the diameter of the flower is medium. However, the delicate lilac color gives the Lilac chrysanthemum a unique charm.
   
   

   The width of the chrysanthemum petal allows you to combine the look with roses

7. Purple Baltic (Baltic Purple). This is a chrysanthemum with a more intense purple color of the petals. The buds are large, the inflorescences are spherical. It stays cut for a long time.
   
   

   A saturated color chrysanthemum looks advantageous even without framing with other varieties

8. Cream Baltika (Baltic Crem). In chrysanthemum Baltika, the color of the petals is closer to yellow. It personifies the soft rays of the sun, it uplifts the mood. Very suitable for making bright bouquets of chrysanthemums alone or in combination with other plants. Chrysanthemum Baltika with yellow flowers can be mixed with greenery or roses.
   
   

   Another variety, which, due to its color, is one of the leaders among the species of the Baltic

9. Salmon Baltika (Baltica Salmon). The Dutch variety is a novelty on the flower market. For the first time, they learned about it in Moscow at the Flowers Expo 2017 exhibition. On one stem of chrysanthemum Baltika Salmon, up to 10-12 flowers are formed. The color of the petals is peach, the foliage is dark green. Together they create an amazing duet, all this is complemented by a delicate aroma.
   
   

   One variety bush is enough to create a full-fledged bouquet

Sometimes gardeners add dyes when watering to get even more unusual coloring of the Baltic chrysanthemum petals.

Landing

Before planting bush chrysanthemum, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of procedure. Gardeners should meet the optimal deadlines, choose the right place, find suitable soil. Attention needs to be paid to:

1. Landing time. It is preferable to plant the Baltic at the beginning of the season – in the spring. At the same time, the heating of the soil at a depth of 15-20 cm should be at least 12-14 °C. On the territory of the southern regions, the Baltic bush chrysanthemum has been planted since the beginning of April. Gardeners of the Moscow region, Siberia and the Central regions are shifting the date to the beginning of June. Autumn planting is carried out throughout September, until the temperature drops to + 12 ° C. If in the fall, for some reason, the deadline had to be missed, then the plant can be cut into a pot. Transplant outdoors in spring.
   Important! The timing of the spring planting depends on the time of the end of the return frosts.
2. Place for chrysanthemum. Baltika prefers a well-heated space protected from wind and drafts. Shade will not work. With a lack of lighting, the flowers lose their decorative effect, become small.
3. soil. Bush chrysanthemum grows well on fertile, slightly acidic or neutral soil. Ideally, if the site has a light sandy loam that needs to be filled with humus or biohumus. You don’t need to be zealous so as not to get a lush green bush without inflorescences as a result.
4. The occurrence of groundwater. The Baltic does not tolerate stagnant water. This leads to rotting of the root system. Chrysanthemum should only be planted in flower beds with drainage. You can equip the hull bed, add coarse river sand.

The algorithm for planting bush Baltica is almost the same as other varieties. The gardener simply needs to perform a series of actions in a specific order. The main thing is not to plant a variety after other aster or nightshade. The Baltic can be returned to its original place not earlier than in 2-3 years.

Process steps:

1. Preliminary preparation of the site in the fall. It includes digging the soil, fertilizing. For 1 sq. m area is enough to add 30 g of potassium salt, 50 g of superphosphate. If necessary, take measures to structure and reduce acidity. In the spring, re-dig the bed.
2. Digging planting holes. The volume of each depends on the size of the seedling. The optimal depth is 25-40 cm. It is convenient to dig a trench and evenly place Baltic seedlings in it.
3. Planting chrysanthemums. The day must be cloudy. Set the seedling in the hole, sprinkle the roots with earth. The root neck should be deepened by no more than 2 cm. If the chrysanthemum hibernated in a pot, then the base of the stem should be left at the same height.
4. Watering and mulching. You can add 1 g of Kornevin to each liter of water and water the chrysanthemums. This will allow the plant to quickly form a root system. The first days, the near-stem circle of the seedling must be covered with non-woven material to protect it from the sun. Put the pegs and tie up the stems.
5. Topping. It should be done immediately after planting the bush chrysanthemum, and then repeated after 20 days.

For group planting, the arrangement of bushes in a checkerboard pattern is recommended.

It is necessary to plant chrysanthemum seedlings, strictly adhering to the scheme

Chrysanthemum care Baltika

The variety does not require any special techniques; a standard set is enough for it:

• watering;
• top dressing;
• loosening;
• bush formation;
• disease prevention or control.

Bush Baltika is demanding on fertility and soil condition. Therefore, watering and nutrition are considered the main points of care.

Optimal Growing Conditions

In order for the Baltic to please with lush flowering and good health, it needs to provide the appropriate conditions.

The plant’s greatest need for moisture is in early summer. During flowering – minimal. If the bush is grown in a room, then you need to add a spray of foliage on hot days. It is required to maintain an average humidity in the room in order to avoid extreme conditions for chrysanthemum.

Maintain the temperature within + 20-24 °C. When grown outdoors, bush chrysanthemum withstands frost well down to -5 ° C, even when flowering. Shoots of the Baltic go to growth at + 6 °C, and buds are formed at + 13 °C. Upper temperature limit + 30 °С. When the autumn frosts end, the bush chrysanthemum is able to thaw and bloom again. Sub-zero temperatures are dangerous for yellow and white varieties intended for cutting. After frost, they turn black.

Lighting is very important for the view. Without sunlight, the Baltic weakens and begins to hurt. Inflorescences lose their doubleness and general decorative effect.

This period falls on August-October. To get a bouquet even earlier, you need to artificially shade the chrysanthemum.

Lush inflorescences can only be obtained if the basic growing conditions are observed.

Irrigation mode for chrysanthemum Baltika

It is necessary to moisten the variety abundantly. If the stems lack moisture, they become woody, and the flowers become dull and unattractive. You can use only settled, spring or rain water. It is important that water does not fall on the leaves, watering the chrysanthemum should be under the root. Regularity – 2-3 times in 7 days. On hot summer days, you can increase the frequency up to 4 times a week and lightly shade the chrysanthemum. You can not overmoisten the bush. In this case, the root system is subject to putrefactive processes. The main criterion is the state of the surface layer of the soil. Ideally, it should not be overdried and not flooded. After irrigation, loosen and weed the surrounding area, mulch the area to be irrigated.

Feeding

Nutrition for the Baltic bush must be applied at least 3 times during the growing season. Be sure to alternate mineral and organic top dressing. At the beginning of growth, a mineral nitrogen fertilizer, such as ammonia nitrogen, is recommended. This is necessary to stimulate the growth of green mass. The intensity of flowering is increased by the introduction of phosphorus-potassium compounds at the time of budding. For better assimilation of nutrients, top dressing should be combined with moisture. Apply the solution under the root the next day after rain or watering. It is recommended to feed the Baltic for the first time 1,5-2 months after planting.

From organic compounds, chrysanthemum tolerates well manure infusion, re-diluted with water 1:10.

Trimming and shaping

These activities are very important for the proper development of the Baltic bush. They help to increase the splendor and branching of the plant, respectively, the number of inflorescences.

After landing in open ground, the bush must be immediately pinched. Then repeat the procedure when the chrysanthemum releases the eighth leaf. The second time you need to remove the young side shoots. This technique is used for large-flowered varieties, which include the Baltic. Tall species should be tied to pegs or nets, frames should be used. Be sure to remove unnecessary shoots, old foliage, diseased stems. To increase the size of the inflorescences, remove the first bud. If you need to accelerate the growth of the bush, then you should cut off part of the chrysanthemum stem. The last pinching can be done 2 months before flowering.

Timely pinching of the stem is the key to lush flowering

Preparation for winter

The large-flowered Baltic can freeze in winter. To save the bush, you need to dig it out and, together with a lump, transplant it into a container or pot. Store at a temperature of 0-5 ° C until spring. Humidity 80%. Suitable basement or cellar. Leaving – rare watering to prevent the coma from drying out. If the plant is planted in the south, you can cut the shoots, spud the bush well and cover. However, it is better not to experiment with the Baltic and transfer the chrysanthemum to the basement for the winter. Plant out in the spring.

Diseases and pests

Compliance with the requirements of agricultural technology guarantees the absence of diseases and pests on the bushes. The main requirement is to avoid thickening of the chrysanthemum. Otherwise, fungal infections such as verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, rust, gray rot may appear.

It is necessary to carry out preventive spraying, and treat with copper-containing agents.

When affected by viral infections, the chrysanthemum should be destroyed.

The main pest of the Baltic can be called a nematode. Prevention – treatment of the bush with Phosphamide in early spring.

Aphids can be found on the underside of leaves. Folk compositions or Aktara (Aktellik) will help.

Reproduction

You can multiply the Baltic:

1. Cuttings. This method is also suitable for hybrid varieties. It retains parental characteristics. Chrysanthemum cuttings should be taken in the fall, and planted in the spring.
2. By dividing the bush. Choose a healthy powerful bush, carefully dig and divide. Delenki to transplant to a new place. Can be divided in spring (end of April or May).
3. Seeds. Sowing from early March to mid-April. Transplant the formed seedlings into the ground.

The latter option does not guarantee the preservation of all the characteristics of the plant. Especially when planting seeds collected with one’s own hand.

Conclusion

Chrysanthemum Baltic will decorate any site. Gardeners need to follow the rules of cultivation and carefully observe the plants. This will allow you to grow powerful healthy bush chrysanthemums, both for cutting and for decorating compositions.