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Chrysanthemums are delightful garden flowers that delight with long, lush and magical blooms from mid-summer to late autumn. Plants can be propagated at home. Experts recommend cutting chrysanthemums in the spring due to the fact that the seedlings obtained in this way are able to fully preserve all the valuable characteristics and properties of the variety. Such plants are more resistant to low temperatures. They are characterized by abundant seasonal flowering, the magnificent form of the bush. The main condition for successful spring cuttings is the presence of a healthy and strong mother bush of a certain variety of chrysanthemum, dug out in the fall.
In summer and autumn, during the period of active flowering of chrysanthemums, it is necessary to select and mark the future “uterine” plant, from which healthy cuttings can be obtained.
Features of propagation of chrysanthemums in spring by cuttings
The process of propagation of chrysanthemums in the spring with the help of cuttings has its own nuances and features:
- cuttings of chrysanthemums in spring at home are much faster for small-flowered varieties (compared to large-flowered varieties);
- you should not choose weak, thick, fleshy, highly fattening, lignified sprouts that root less successfully as cuttings;
- no need to choose shoots with closely spaced internodes;
- early shoots of chrysanthemums used to form cuttings allow you to get healthier plants with a tall stem and more lush flowering;
- short shoots cannot be used for cuttings, as immature shoots can rot.
When separating cuttings, healthy, young shoots should be chosen.
When to take cuttings of chrysanthemums
There are earlier and later cuttings of chrysanthemums in the spring at home.
Previously, cuttings are carried out in January-March. The planting density of cut shoots is 4×4 cm. The rooting process lasts an average of 20-25 days. During this period of time, the length of the “daughter” shoots of the mother plant is 7-8 cm. The cuttings are characterized by a soft, non-lignified structure.
Later cuttings are carried out in April-May. The planting density is 5×5 cm. The rooting process of plants lasts 16-17 days. The average length of the shoots of the mother chrysanthemum during this period is 5-6 cm.
The main rule to remember is that propagation shoots should not be soft and not too hard, since a lignified surface will delay the rooting process, and an excessively soft one can rot. The sprout should have up to 4 leaves, from the axils of which new healthy shoots grow.
An ideal shoot should have up to 4 pairs of healthy leaves.
How to prepare cuttings for propagation
Preparation of cuttings for spring propagation begins in the fall and consists in carrying out the following manipulations:
- in autumn, with the onset of persistent frosts, the aerial part is removed from the mother bush, leaving about 5 cm from the soil line;
- the uterine bush is completely dug out (together with the root system) and placed in a container of a suitable size (box, container);
- the roots are sprinkled with earth or sand;
- the container with the mother bush is placed for “wintering” in the cellar or stored in a cool, dark place at a temperature not higher than + 7 ⁰С to prevent premature growth of young shoots;
- when the soil dries out, the bush is periodically watered;
- in mid-February, the mother plant is transferred to a warm place with room temperature, they begin abundant watering, irrigating the “waking up” crown, and feeding with ammonium nitrate.
After 1-2 weeks, young shoots 10 cm long appear on the mother chrysanthemum.
After moving the mother chrysanthemum to a room with room temperature, the plant “wakes up” from hibernation and the active growth of young shoots begins – the basis for future cuttings
How to save chrysanthemum cuttings until spring
When the shoots on the mother plant reach 10 cm and there are several internodes, they are carefully cut off and left on the cut part of 2-3 pairs of leaves. The tool for cutting the shoots is periodically disinfected. Sections are sprinkled with growth stimulants and talc. In selected cuttings, it is necessary to remove the lower leaves and plant them in well-moistened soil to a depth of 1,5-2 cm.
Chrysanthemums are amazing representatives of the flora that prefer to grow and develop in fertile soil. To provide full-fledged conditions for the growth and development of young shoots, special substrates are used (there may be several options):
- a mixture of garden soil (1 part), humus (1 part), sand (2 parts);
- a mixture of peat and sand in equal parts;
- a mixture of vermiculite with sand, peat, sphagnum moss in equal parts;
- a mixture of turf with sand, peat in equal parts.
The prepared mixture is disinfected by calcining in the oven (about 1 hour) or in a water bath (about 4 hours). You can treat the substrate with disinfectants “Fitosporin”, “Alirin”, “Baikal”, “Gamair”.
Cut cuttings should be placed in well-moistened soil to a depth of 1,5-2 cm.
Planting and caring for cuttings of chrysanthemums
Prepared sprouts are planted in a container to a depth of 1,5-2 cm using a special peg (to prevent injury to the base). This allows you to place future roots in a nutrient substrate. For planting chrysanthemum cuttings, various containers are used: containers, pots, boxes, plastic, paper or peat cups. To speed up the rooting process of plants, a container with seedlings is covered with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. Early varieties of plants are periodically taken out into the street, the film is opened only during watering.
Caring for cuttings of chrysanthemums is universal:
- air temperature in the room up to + 18 ⁰С;
- substrate temperature up to + 20 ⁰С;
- presence of the greenhouse effect;
- moistening the substrate with cuttings – every three days;
- additional lighting at night;
- after the appearance of 2-3 pairs of new leaves, the first pinching of the top is done;
- to form a lush and symmetrical shape of the bush of the future plant, pinch the tops of a 10-centimeter cutting for the second time.
After rooting of plants in the daytime, the film is removed from the surface of the container, but continues to be covered at night. Storage of rooted cuttings of chrysanthemums until spring is carried out indoors in compliance with the elementary rules for caring for plants. Before planting in open ground, plants are hardened outdoors, gradually increasing the time spent in the air. After the establishment of consistently warm spring weather, young chrysanthemums are transplanted to a permanent place.
Young rooted chrysanthemums, propagated from cuttings, are planted in a permanent habitat after the establishment of consistently warm spring weather
Useful Tips
The subtleties of cuttings of chrysanthemums in spring, presented in the video, allow you to study in detail the main stages of work on the preparation, preservation, planting and care of shoots of young plants
Some useful tips will help you successfully complete the spring cuttings of chrysanthemums:
- choose a uterine bush for spring cuttings should be in the summer, during the flowering period (you should select and mark in advance the most magnificently flowering, healthy plant);
- the mother bush must be prepared and cut in December so that at the end of February or at the beginning of March the plant can release young and healthy shoots;
- the most optimal period for spring cuttings is the end of February and the beginning of April;
- if during watering drops of water remain on the leaves of the cuttings, the container with the seedlings should not be tightly covered with a film, as excessive moisture can cause rot.
Cuttings of chrysanthemums in spring is a simple, affordable and convenient method of propagating plants at home
Conclusion
Proper grafting of chrysanthemums in spring allows you to grow healthy young plants that are distinguished by strong immunity and a high level of decorativeness. Most modern garden chrysanthemums are hybrids, so it is very often not possible to grow a beautifully flowering plant from seeds. Cuttings are a simple and effective method of propagating any varieties and varieties of garden chrysanthemums.