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Needle chrysanthemums got their name for the unusual shape of the petals. Elongated and narrow, they are folded into tubes, pointed at the end, like needles. When looking at the flowers, it seems as if they are protected from the outside world. This opinion is not far from the truth, since many varieties staunchly resist diseases and frosts. Without additional shelter, they can overwinter in the open field in many regions.
Description of needle chrysanthemums
Needle-shaped, or ray-shaped chrysanthemums have a characteristic feature: reed flowers with long, curled petals. Selected hybrids have forked and untwisted tongues.
This variety of chrysanthemums is distinguished by a variety of petal colors. Large inflorescences with a diameter of 8-10 cm or more can be red, white and milky, yellow, orange, various shades of pink, crimson. Recently, breeders managed to get hybrids with greenish petals. In addition, the “needles” can be painted in different shades from the inside and outside.
In flower shops there are needle-shaped chrysanthemums of blue shades. Petals acquire such tones after aging in special solutions with dyes. The flowers are actually white. To recognize them, it is enough to pay attention to the color of the leaves and stems, they also acquire a bluish tint.
Varieties of needle chrysanthemums
There are many varieties of needle chrysanthemums with various sizes and shades of inflorescences. With their help, you can create amazing summer and autumn flower beds.
Squirrel (Squirrel)
Variety Chrysanthemum Sciurus, the name translates as “squirrel”, – medium-sized plants with a stem length of up to 60 cm and rich green abundant foliage. Bushes form beautiful spherical crowns. The color of the petals is apricot. The size of the inflorescences is large, about 12 cm. They bloom in early autumn. Flowering lasts until the first cold weather. Chrysanthemum hibernates in open ground.
Chrysanthemum variety Squirrel prefers well-lit flower beds
Splashes of champagne
Campanie Imbre, or Champagne Splashes, is a variety with a variety of delicate shades of inflorescences, from golden to light pink. Hence the unusual name of this variety. The central part of the inflorescences is colored in a more saturated shade than the edges of the needle petals. Bushes reach 70 cm in height, have light green leaves of an elongated shape.
Chrysanthemum Champagne splash blooms in October
Vesuvius
Chrysanthemum Vesuvius is a medium-sized variety with bright green, abundant foliage and medium-sized flowers. Their diameter does not exceed 7 cm. The petals are tubular. They are stretched along the edges. Visually, this form resembles a volcanic eruption. The first inflorescences bloom on Vesuvius in September. Their natural color is white. But on sale there are specimens with green, blue and even black petals. Such plants are treated with special dyes.
One of the advantages of the Vesuvius variety is the ability to retain its appearance in water for a long time after cutting.
Linda
Linda is a compact plant with large flowers. Chrysanthemums 10 cm in diameter bloom on the bushes. This happens in mid-August. A variety with a straight stem and a developed root system that does not need pinching, can branch on its own. Gardeners appreciate the Linda variety for the delicate color of needle-shaped petals. They come in several shades: cold white and lilac-pink.
Flowering lasts a long time, until the end of autumn
Mirage
The Korean variety Mirage, or Chrysanthemum Imago, is a tall plant up to 1 m high, covered with dark green foliage, with a strong straight stem. The highlight of the Mirage chrysanthemums is their flowers, similar to chic raspberry stars. The diameter of the inflorescences is very large, about 15 cm. The needle-shaped tubular petals located along the edges are longer than the central ones, bent inward. “Stars” bloom on tall bushes in mid-autumn.
Chrysanthemums are good for cutting.
Pearl
Chrysanthemum Perlinka is a representative of the group of medium-sized varieties. Differs in plentiful branching. Doesn’t need to be shaped. Perlinka’s flowers are double. The length of the tubular petals, pointed at the ends, is about 5 cm. The colors are varied, from dark crimson to snow-white.
The advantage of the variety is lush, abundant flowering, it begins in mid-September and lasts until the end of autumn.
Planting and caring for needle chrysanthemums
Needle chrysanthemums can be grown outdoors and in greenhouse conditions. The optimum temperature for abundant and long flowering of the “Queen of Autumn” is up to +14 degrees. When it falls below, the plants wilt and wither.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Plants feel uncomfortable in the shade, with stagnant moisture. The place for them should be located on an elevated, well-lit area of the garden. The preferred soil is loose, moisture-permeable, neutral or slightly acidic, saturated with nutrients.
It is impossible to overdo it with fertilizers, otherwise the growth of green mass will go to the detriment of flowering.
Rules of landing
Landing is guided by the following rules:
- Holes are prepared with a depth of 30–40 cm.
- Abundantly moisten the soil.
- At the bottom of each hole I fall asleep drainage and a little vermicompost.
- Plants are placed in the wells, sprinkled in such a way as not to deepen the root system too much. It develops parallel to the soil layer.
When planting tall varieties of chrysanthemums, it is important to provide supporting supports
A few days after planting, chrysanthemums need protection from direct sunlight. They are shaded with non-woven materials.
If the variety does not branch on its own, then immediately after planting, the plants are pinched, removing growth points. After 3 weeks, re-pinching is carried out, a part of the shoot with several nodes is cut off.
Watering and top dressing
To protect the root system of chrysanthemums from rot, they should be watered moderately. An exception must be made in hot, dry weather. On such days, you should not spare water, otherwise the stems of plants will become stiff, lush inflorescences will lose their decorative appearance. Rainwater or settled water is suitable for irrigation.
As top dressing, it is enough to make an infusion of mullein. Fertilizer is diluted with water at the rate of 1 liter per bucket of liquid. Before buds form on chrysanthemums, it is useful to use phosphorus and potassium compounds. Nitrogen fertilizers can be added from time to time, they help the plant grow green mass.
Solutions must be poured under the root so that the aerial parts of needle chrysanthemums do not get burned
Reproduction of needle chrysanthemums
Needle chrysanthemums are propagated using cuttings. They are planted in the ground with the onset of summer. During the growing season, they have time to take root. In autumn, young plants are planted in a permanent place.
Diseases and pests of needle chrysanthemums
The main enemies of needle chrysanthemum are leafworms, mites, aphids, snails. But the most dangerous among them are caterpillars. One individual per day can damage several inflorescences. Aktara, Fitoverm drugs help fight insect pests.
To protect against diseases, it is recommended to treat flowers with special means after each rain, for example, Previkur. And as a preventive measure for root rot, which chrysanthemums often suffer from, Fitosporin can be used.
Conclusion
Needle chrysanthemums are one of the most original and vibrant inhabitants of city flower beds and summer cottages. Their flowering adorns the gardens until late autumn. No wonder this flower has been grown for more than 3 millennia, and interest in it is only growing.