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Growing Korean Chrysanthemum from seed is one way to propagate these perennial flowers. However, it is not the main one, since in this case their varietal characteristics are not preserved. For propagation of Korean chrysanthemum, other methods are more often used, for example, dividing a bush or a vegetative method.
Brief Description of Korean Chrysanthemum
Korean chrysanthemums are perennial flowers, which are most often grown for decorative purposes. There are a large number of varieties and colors that are widely used in landscape design. Chrysanthemum is used to decorate flower beds, squares, alleys, and create flower arrangements. Unlike garden chrysanthemums, which are formed into a single stem, the Korean species is grown in its natural form, that is, in the form of a compact or sprawling bush, consisting of upright stems.
Korean chrysanthemum has a second name – Oak. She received it for the similarity of the leaves of a flower with oak. To give a decorative look, individual fast-growing shoots are pinched. This plant has quite a few varieties. They differ from each other in the following ways:
- The height of the bush. They are divided into undersized (up to 30 cm tall), medium tall (up to 50 cm) and tall (up to 1 m).
- Inflorescence size. Small flowers have a diameter of up to 0,1 m, large flowers – over 0,1 m.
- The type of flower petals. Distinguish reed and tubular.
- Inflorescence type. From seeds, you can grow perennial Korean chrysanthemums with spherical, hemispherical, flat, double and semi-double, pompon, ray and anemone flowers.
Korean chrysanthemum is frost-resistant, therefore it is grown by gardeners in various regions. Caring for these flowers is not difficult and is within the power of the most inexperienced grower. The Korean chrysanthemum blooms quite late, in September, which is why many people call it the queen of autumn.
Peculiarities of propagation of Korean chrysanthemums
Propagating the Korean chrysanthemum is quite simple. It can be done:
- vegetatively (cuttings);
- division of the bush;
- seeds.
Since the Korean chrysanthemum forms numerous basal shoots, it is by dividing the bush that it is most often propagated.
Seeds
The seed method of propagation of the Korean chrysanthemum is used relatively infrequently, since it does not preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant. Seeds are collected from faded inflorescences and left to ripen in a room with a temperature of + 16-20 ° C, and then stored at + 2-6 ° C. Seeds are planted indoors in February.
As a rule, 3 seeds are sown in each hole. After the sprouts grow to 10-12 cm, culling is carried out, while leaving the strongest sprout.
Cuttings
When propagated by cuttings, all varietal characteristics of the Korean chrysanthemum are preserved. Young shoots no more than 8 cm long are used as cuttings. They are harvested in September. During the winter, they will develop a powerful root system and will be ready for transplanting into open ground.
Before planting, the cut place of the cutting is kept for several hours in a growth stimulator solution, and then placed in boxes with moistened sand. They need to be placed under the film, regularly ventilated and moistened. In the spring, the grown cuttings are planted in a permanent place.
By dividing the bush
For propagation of Korean chrysanthemum by dividing the bush, numerous root shoots are used, separating 3 shoots from the side along with part of the mother root. This procedure is done in late spring, after the appearance of lateral shoots, or in autumn, in this case, the planting is covered for the winter with mulch or agrofiber. This method of reproduction provides a survival rate close to 100%.
Planting and caring for Korean chrysanthemum
Spring planting of cuttings is carried out in a permanent place, when the soil warms up and the risk of return frosts is minimized. You can grow chrysanthemums in one place for 3-5 years, you should pay attention to this when choosing a place.
Landing time
Before planting in open ground, containers with cuttings should be regularly taken out into the street, making them a kind of hardening and accustoming them to cold. Their exposure time in the open air must be gradually increased. As a rule, cuttings are planted in open ground at a permanent place for growing in late May or early June.
In autumn, Korean chrysanthemum can be planted until mid-September. This will allow the bush to have time to take root in a new place and calmly survive the winter.
Site selection and preparation of soil
Korean chrysanthemum is a light-loving plant. When grown in the shade, the stems become thinner, stretched, and the inflorescences become dull and small. The place for these flowers should be bright and sunny, while it should be protected from cold drafts. The soil needs loose and fertile, with a neutral level of acidity. Wetlands or places with regular stagnant water are not suitable for growing.
Flower planting algorithm
Planting cuttings or cuttings can be carried out in individual holes or trenches with a depth of about 0,3 m. When planting undersized varieties, a 30×30 cm scheme is used, taller ones – 40×40 or 50×50 cm. 0,5 st. spoons under each bush. After planting, the bushes are watered abundantly.
A prerequisite for growing is pinching the plant. It consists in the fact that after planting, its growth point is cut off. This will allow the plant to direct all its forces to the formation of a full-fledged root system. It is advisable to close the planted seedlings with covering material to create a microclimate. After the appearance of signs of rooting, the shelter can be removed.
Growing Korean Chrysanthemum
To successfully grow Korean chrysanthemum, you must follow the following rules:
- After the blooming of the 8th leaf, pinch the main and side shoots. Such a measure contributes to increased branching, the bush will turn out to be more magnificent. If the variety is large-flowered, side shoots should be removed completely.
- Plants should be watered frequently, but water should not be allowed to stagnate in the roots. For irrigation, it is preferable to use rainwater, adding a few drops of ammonia to it. Watering should be carried out strictly under the root, water on the leaves and flowers is not allowed.
- It is advisable to mulch the soil under the flowers with rotted manure or peat. In the absence of mulch, it is necessary to regularly weed and loosen the soil.
- Fertilizing plants is done about a month before flowering, in August. To do this, you can use any complex fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus.
- After flowering, the bushes are cut at a height of 15–20 cm, bent to the ground and covered with a layer of mulch.
Growing perennial Korean chrysanthemum is not difficult, so it is recommended even for beginner growers.
Growing Korean Chrysanthemum Seed Mix
Quite a part of the seeds of Korean chrysanthemums are sold in mixtures. This is very convenient for those who do not like to make flower arrangements themselves and want to immediately see a colorful flower carpet on the flower bed. Here are some of the famous Korean chrysanthemum blends:
- Korean mix. Bushes of medium height. Inflorescences from terry to simple, a wide variety of colors. They can be grown both outdoors and in pots.
- Velvet autumn. It has large terry inflorescences of various colors and shades. Excellent when cut.
- Galaxy stars. It blooms in large terry inflorescences until frost. Grown in containers or flowerpots.
Mixes can be made independently.
Terms of sowing seeds
Korean chrysanthemum has a fairly long growing season. From the moment the shoots appear to the beginning of flowering, 6 months pass, so the seeds are planted for seedlings as early as February.
Preparation of containers and soil
For growing seedlings, you can use a variety of boxes and containers. At the bottom you need to pour small pebbles for drainage, and then a layer of nutrient soil, consisting of soddy soil, river sand and humus, mixed in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
Seeding for seedlings
Seeds are sown to a depth of 3-5 mm. The soil is moistened, and the container is covered with glass or plastic wrap. The temperature in the room with containers must be maintained within + 18-25 °C.
You can use another method of disembarkation. In this case, river sand can not be added to the composition of the nutrient soil, but used as a top layer. The seeds are simply laid out on the surface, and a layer of sand 1 cm thick is poured on top. After that, the contents of the container are moistened and placed under cover.
Transplanting seedlings of flowers in open ground
As soon as the first sprouts of seedlings appear in the containers, the shelter is removed. This usually takes about 2 weeks. After the appearance of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings dive, distributing it for further cultivation in separate pots or other containers. So that the seedlings do not stretch, it is advisable to highlight it with a phytolamp, since the length of the daylight hours is still not enough for its normal growth.
In May, when the ambient temperature rises to + 15 ° C, the grown seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in open ground. Landing is carried out in compliance with the required intervals at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. It is desirable to leave at least 30 cm between adjacent rows. When growing high varieties of Korean chrysanthemum with large inflorescences, these intervals can be doubled.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
Korean chrysanthemums get sick quite rarely. The appearance of any disease can be associated either with adverse weather conditions, or with insufficient care during its cultivation. Among the most common diseases that appear on these perennials, the following fungal and viral diseases can be noted:
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- dwarfism;
- mosaic;
- rust;
- aspermia.
Some of these diseases (dwarfism, mosaic, aspermia) are not treatable, so the affected plants are simply dug up and burned. Fungal diseases are fought by spraying plants with fungicides, for example, copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid.
Of the pests, aphids most often appear on the Korean chrysanthemum. To combat it, use the drug Actellik. In addition, slugs that eat leaves and nematodes that eat plant roots can cause trouble. To destroy slugs, ulicide or metaldehyde is used, and the nematode is fought with the help of the drug Decaris.
To prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests, it is necessary to prevent the overgrowing of flower beds with weeds, to ensure constant ventilation of the soil and root zone.
How to save Korean chrysanthemums in winter
Most varieties of Korean chrysanthemum have sufficient winter hardiness and calmly endure winters. It is enough just to cut them off and cover them, for example, with fallen leaves or cover them with a layer of spruce branches. However, some varieties need additional shelter. To protect such bushes, agrofibre is additionally used, then covered with a layer of snow.
Conclusion
Growing Korean chrysanthemum from seeds is not particularly difficult. Using ready-made mixtures, you can easily grow such perennials that delight the eye with their flowering until frost. And if you use other methods of reproduction, then you can fully preserve all varietal characteristics.