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Chrysanthemum Antonov is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Asteraceae family, used in gardening and floristry. The Antonov variety was bred by Dutch breeders. Florists very often order these flowers for their displays at exhibitions. Two-color Antonov will be the highlight of the bouquet, diversifying the assortment of the flower pavilion.
Features of growing single-headed chrysanthemum Antonov
Chrysanthemum Antonov is called single-headed, because it has a very lush single bud that looks like a hat with a terry dome. The culture will fit perfectly into any flower bed. White chrysanthemum Antonov (pictured) will be a good neighbor for other varieties.
When growing at home, the most preferred place for chrysanthemums is on an eastern or western windowsill.
If placed on south-facing windows, the plant requires shade to prevent sunburn.Those who grow crops on the north window should provide the chrysanthemum with additional lighting.
With proper care, the Antonov chrysanthemum blooms from August to mid-autumn. After this, she must be given complete rest.
Planting chrysanthemum Antonov
Chrysanthemum Antonov prefers sunny places with slight shading. If you plant a crop in an area with too much shade, it will lose most of its decorative qualities, and the bud will not be too large and lush. It is preferable to choose flat places where there are no drafts and stagnant water.
Preparing the soil and planting container
Chrysanthemum Antonov loves loose loamy soil with a neutral pH. Shortly before planting, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with phosphorus and potassium complexes, as well as a small amount of wood ash and rotted manure (compost).
Preparation of planting material
White chrysanthemum Antonov can be planted both in spring and autumn. In the case of September planting, the plant must be rid of peduncles (up to the middle of the stem), which take away from it the nutrients and strength necessary for full rooting and adaptation. The optimal planting time for chrysanthemums is considered to be from the beginning to mid-September. Plants planted in spring have a better chance of surviving the cold season. When choosing planting material, you need to visually inspect chrysanthemums for the presence of parasites and diseases. A healthy specimen should have a green, living stem with young shoots.
It is strongly not recommended to buy flowering seedlings, as they may die during transportation or transplantation to the garden plot
Landing rules
To plant flowers, holes are prepared in advance; the gap between them should be at least 35 cm. The depth of the root system varies from 19 to 26 cm. A layer of expanded clay mixed with coarse sand is placed on the bottom of the hole. This step helps prevent moisture stagnation and root rotting. After planting, the roots of the plant should be sprinkled with ordinary garden soil and the soil should be pressed down a little, then watered generously using warm, settled water.
To transplant the Antonov chrysanthemum, you must first moisten the soil, then remove the earthen ball with the root system from the soil
Caring for the Antonov chrysanthemum
A beautifully flowering plant requires minimal care: periodic weeding, loosening the soil and removing weeds. Chrysanthemum Antonov needs to mulch the soil with peat or straw. After the semi-shrub has flowered, the stems are cut at a distance of 5-6 cm from the ground level. The hemp is provided by a high mound of garden soil combined with rotted manure, as well as a shelter of spruce branches and sawdust. Unstable stems require a mandatory garter.
The process of tying to stakes is very labor-intensive, and it also reduces the decorative qualities of the subshrub.
Optimal growing conditions
Chrysanthemum Antonov prefers open space with plenty of sunlight throughout the day. The crop is considered very unpretentious; it can be grown both in greenhouse conditions and in flower beds and garden plots in open ground. The impressive dimensions of the semi-shrub and considerable height (up to a meter in length or more) make it difficult to cultivate chrysanthemums on loggias and balconies.It is better to place them in places where there is no strong wind that can harm the crop.
Temperatures above 30 C° are dangerous for chrysanthemums, but they can withstand the first autumn frosts.
Drought negatively affects the formation of flower buds, and high humidity in the fall can lead to freezing. Therefore, soil moisture must be monitored by promptly watering the crop during dry periods.
Watering regime for chrysanthemum Antonov
The crop needs abundant watering at least three times a week throughout the summer. For watering the Antonov chrysanthemum, settled or rain water is best suited. You need to make sure that the liquid does not get on the leaves and stems, as it can lead to mold on the inflorescences. Before the onset of cold weather, the Antonov chrysanthemum should be provided with moisture-recharging watering (each bush needs at least 4.5 liters of clean water).
Fertilizing
You can stimulate the growth of the root system of the Antonov chrysanthemum using special preparations (Kornevin, Zircon, Etamon, Epin). To improve the appearance of the crop, it is recommended to use organic complexes and mineral fertilizers. The yellow Antonov chrysanthemum is distinguished by its rich colors and unusually spectacular appearance.
To preserve the decorative qualities of the crop, it needs to be fed with the onset of autumn.
You can restore strength, increase stress resistance and immunity with the help of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers
Trimming and shaping
Chrysanthemum Antonov, planted this year, does not require mandatory pruning before the onset of winter. It is enough to remove faded inflorescences with a slight capture of the stems (up to 2 cm).The formation of a chrysanthemum bush begins with a cutting. At the initial stage, pinching or pruning is performed while removing the upper part of the rooted cuttings. The pinching procedure involves removing only the very top. Pruning involves cutting off part of the young stem emerging from the axillary buds. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to reduce the growth rate of the shoot, which will have the best effect on the development of the root system.
The main method of forming a bush is pinching. If the Antonov chrysanthemum cuttings are not pinched in a timely manner, its growth in height will quickly stop and the process of forming a flower bud will begin, from which only deformed, defective inflorescences can be obtained, which are called “blind buds.” After a short period after the first pinching, the following ones are allowed. The branching of the bush and the number of inflorescences depend on the number of procedures.
Timely pruning of chrysanthemums is necessary not only to improve its decorative qualities, but also to prevent various diseases. By reducing the number of damaged, diseased and unnecessary shoots, it is possible to saturate the root system with nutrients and provide the Antonov chrysanthemum with a high growth rate. It is easier to care for trimmed specimens and protect them from extreme cold for the winter.
Diseases and pests of chrysanthemum Antonov
Chrysanthemum Antonov is a crop that is susceptible to various diseases in case of improper care. The following diseases pose the greatest danger to the plant:
- Gray rot that occurs when there is excess moisture. It appears in the form of brown spots covering the petals, which provokes their rotting.
You can fight gray mold with fungicides such as Euparen, Bayleton and Fundazol
- Powdery mildew appears as a white coating that affects buds and leaves. You can get rid of it only by removing the damaged areas followed by treatment with Bordeaux mixture.
- Verticillium is a root-borne disease that causes the lower leaves to turn yellow. The plant can only be saved by spraying it with one of the effective biological products.
- Nematodes infect leaf blades, causing them to become deformed and dark. Damaged leaves must be disposed of.
- Spider mites are considered one of the most dangerous pests.
The mite envelops the back side of the leaf blade and sucks out all the nutrients from it
It can only be controlled with insecticides. For prevention, it is recommended to remove dust from the leaves with a damp cloth or soft cloth.
Reproduction of chrysanthemum Antonov
The main methods of propagation of the Antonov chrysanthemum are cuttings and dividing the bush.
Only seedlings with three to four developed leaves are suitable for cuttings
Procedure technology:
- Mother chrysanthemum bushes are dug up in the fall and stored in a dark, cool room with a temperature within +7-8 °C.
- The dug up bushes need to be sprinkled with sand. Until mid-winter they require periodic watering.
- Towards the end of February, the plants need to be moved to a room where the average temperature fluctuates between +14-15 °C.
- A sharp garden knife is used to cut cuttings. It is recommended to leave at least 3 nodes on them for shoots to appear; the length should be about 10 cm.
- Before planting in the soil, the cuttings are cleared of the lower leaves.
The prepared cuttings are planted at temperatures from +19 to +23 °C in a pre-prepared mixture of soil, sand and humus in a 1:2:1 ratio.
The cuttings are covered with polyethylene film, which is removed a few weeks later (after the seedlings have rooted).
Only chrysanthemums that have reached three years of age are propagated by dividing the bush. The most favorable period is considered to be the end of spring or the second half of August.
The method of propagation by seeds is used by experienced breeders. This method is suitable for obtaining new varieties. At home, it will not be possible to grow Antonov chrysanthemum from seeds, because there is no guarantee that they will sprout, and the emerging seedlings will inherit the characteristics of the mother plant.
Conclusion
Chrysanthemum Antonov is a popular crop used for landscaping flower beds. With proper care, you can grow beautiful bushes, but for this you need to create optimal conditions. Painted chrysanthemum Antonov is a real find for florists. Environmentally friendly paints are used for coloring, so these flowers are not harmful to health. Chrysanthemums are stable after cutting; they can stand in water for about three weeks.
