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Large chrysanthemums are perennials from the Asteraceae family, or Asteraceae. Their homeland is China. In the language of this country, they are called Chu Hua, which means “gathered together.” There are 29 varieties of large-flowered chrysanthemums in the world. They are valued for their spectacular appearance in flower beds and in the cut. In addition, lush inflorescences bloom at a time when most flowers fade.
Description of large-flowered chrysanthemums
In the wild, large chrysanthemums do not grow. They were bred by breeders, crossing varieties of Japanese and Chinese origin. These are perennial plants with a branched or thickened root system, strong erect stems. They grow up to 100 cm in height.
The shoots of various varieties are bare or pubescent, branch well. The leaves are arranged alternately, painted in a dark green or gray-green hue. The shape and size vary depending on the cultivar.
The inflorescences of large chrysanthemums are basket-shaped, consist of a large number of reed and tubular flowers. Up to 1000 pieces can be collected on one. The diameter of the baskets reaches 20 cm. The buds can be terry or simple.
The culture is frost-resistant. However, buds and inflorescences are damaged and die if the air temperature drops to 0 degrees. Large chrysanthemums feel comfortable on fertile and sandy loamy soils, with sufficient light and moisture.
Varieties of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Breeders have bred a large number of varieties. Here are some popular titles:
- Valentina Tereshkova. The variety was obtained on the Crimean peninsula. It is distinguished by lush inflorescences, the size of which reaches 14 cm, and the color varies from red-crimson on the upper petals to light pink on the lower ones. Flowering occurs in September. The height of the bushes is up to 70 cm.
- Gazelle. Large chrysanthemums with double white buds that bloom in late summer and persist until frost. Inflorescences-baskets reach 14 cm in diameter. Flowers of this variety need to be tied to supports.
- Tom Pierce. A characteristic feature is the unusual, eye-catching yellow-red color of the petals. The variety is good for making bouquets. The height of the bushes is up to 60 cm. Plants prefer open spaces warmed by the sun’s rays.
- Zembla. Terry chrysanthemums that grow in open ground up to 90 cm, and as a pot culture – up to 30 cm. The inflorescences have large petals, during the formation of buds they exude a pleasant honey aroma. Up to 3 flowers appear on each branch.
- Shamrock. A spherical variety with a stem height of about 70 cm. The color of the buds is greenish. The flowers are fragrant and well kept as a cut flower. Can stand in a vase for 3 weeks.
Planting and caring for large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums prefer moderate air temperature, not higher than +25 degrees. Buds can form at rates of +11 and above. These are short day plants. They bloom during the period of the year when the night is longer than the day. But to build up the green mass, the culture needs at least 14 hours of daylight. In the central regions of Our Country, it comes in April.
For active growth and flowering, large chrysanthemums need to meet the following conditions:
- good lighting;
- air circulation;
- drainage layer;
- complete darkness at night.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Culture does not like stagnant water and shade. The place for growing large-flowered chrysanthemums in open ground should be located on a hill, well lit by sunlight. If it does not meet these conditions, the plants may stretch, delay flowering and wither prematurely.
The soil should be slightly acidic or neutral, moisture permeable, light and loose, saturated with nutrients. Dense and poor soils are enriched with peat before planting cuttings, rotted manure or compost is introduced. Coarse sand is added as a drainage layer.
Rules of landing
Cuttings are planted in open ground. Plants are not buried in the soil, as the root system develops parallel to the soil surface. Planting dates depend on the climatic conditions in a particular region. In the central regions of Our Country, the culture is transferred to open ground in the second half of May, when the average air and ground temperatures rise above +14 degrees.
Planting rooted cuttings is carried out as follows:
- Holes are prepared with a depth of 30–40 cm.
- Spill them with settled water.
- Drainage is poured at the bottom of each recess.
- Add a mixture of garden soil with biohumus in a ratio of 20:1.
- The cuttings of large chrysanthemums are placed in the holes, sprinkled with soil.
- If the variety is tall, immediately install supports.
Multi-stemmed chrysanthemums are placed on the beds at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other, single-stem chrysanthemums are separated by 15 cm.
It is recommended to plant large chrysanthemums in cloudy weather, if on sunny days, then in the early morning or late evening
Watering and top dressing
For growth and abundant flowering, chrysanthemums need fertile soil. They respond well to fertilization. At the beginning of the growing season, when the growth of green mass occurs, plants require nitrogen and potassium complexes. For the first time in a season, root dressing is carried out 2-3 weeks after planting. Add a solution of ammonium nitrate. Then the procedure is repeated every 2 weeks.
Top dressing is combined with watering. When using nitrogen, the dosages recommended by the manufacturers are observed, since an excess of the substance in the soil causes burns and darkening of the leaves, reduces the immune defense of plants, and leads to aphids.
After the formation of buds and until the moment of cutting the inflorescences, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are used. During the season, plants are fed with them 2-3 times.
Immediately after planting for a week, chrysanthemums require daily watering. Then the intervals between water procedures are increased, focusing on weather conditions. In hot, dry weather, flowers are watered at least 2-3 times a week. Adhere to the following rule: the longer the intervals between watering, the more abundant they should be.
Formation of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums must be properly shaped by choosing the best buds. The number of peduncles on the bush and the size of the inflorescences depend on this. The plant can have 1 or 3 stems, each of which blooms one flower.
When the planted cuttings take root in a new place, the first pinch is performed. Without it, primary buds do not produce full-fledged inflorescences. After the appearance of 6–8 sheets on a large chrysanthemum, its top is cut off. The plant puts out new shoots. Gardeners choose a few of the strongest, eliminate others.
The time of the last pinching depends on how long the inflorescences develop. In large chrysanthemums, between pinching and laying buds, it takes from 30 to 40 days, between laying at the point of growth of the inflorescence before flowering – from 7 to 14 weeks, depending on the variety.
Wintering of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums in areas with cold winters are not left until spring in open ground. In autumn they are dug up and stored at positive temperatures. In the southern regions, culture can be left for the winter in flower beds.
After cutting the inflorescences, the queen cells are cut off, leaving the lower part of the shoots. The dug out rhizomes are placed in deep boxes, sprinkled with a moistened mixture of sand and peat. Tanks are kept in greenhouses or on verandas until the onset of cold weather. In winter, they are sent to dark rooms, where the temperature is maintained from +50 to -10 degrees.
Reproduction of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums are propagated by cuttings, as well as by dividing the bushes. These procedures are planned for May or even the beginning of summer, when the likelihood of frosts and cold snaps is excluded.
The seed method does not allow you to save varietal characteristics
Cuttings of large chrysanthemums are cut from shoots with 4 or more leaves. Their bases should not be soft or lignified. The bottom sheet is removed for better rooting. A substrate is prepared for planting material, which should pass moisture and air well. It could be:
- perlite;
- a mixture of peat and sand;
- vermiculite and sand;
- turf, leaf earth and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1;
- sod land, sand and peat in equal quantities.
The soil is moistened, sprinkled with a layer of sand. Cuttings are planted in it to a depth of 1–1 cm, the distance between them is made from 5 to 4 cm. In the room where the cuttings take root, the air temperature is maintained at +5 degrees. The soil should be a little warmer.
Diseases and pests
Large chrysanthemums are prone to gray rot and downy mildew. For the prevention and control of these diseases, plants are treated with fungicides.
Among insect pests, nematodes are of particular danger to the crop. A symptom of the lesion are black merging spots on the lower leaves. Infected chrysanthemums are not treatable. They must be burned to prevent damage to healthy flowers.
Photo of large chrysanthemums
Gardeners share photos of tall large-flowered chrysanthemums in their plots.
Chrysanthemums of different shades look great together in one area.
To decorate the site, you can plant flowers along the entire length of the fence.
Compositions are brighter if you combine copies of different shades.
Conclusion
Large chrysanthemums are chic, eye-catching flowers. They are able to decorate any space. Their health and beauty of flowers depend on how correctly and regularly they take care of large-flowered chrysanthemums.