Content
- 1 Brief description of Korean chrysanthemum
- 2 Peculiarities of reproduction of Korean chrysanthemums
- 3 Planting and caring for Korean chrysanthemum
- 4 Growing Korean Chrysanthemum Seed Mix
- 5 Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
- 6 How to preserve Korean chrysanthemums in winter
- 7 Conclusion
Growing Korean chrysanthemum from seeds 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. To propagate Korean chrysanthemums, other methods are often used, for example, dividing the bush or the vegetative method.
Brief description of Korean chrysanthemum
Korean chrysanthemums are perennial flowers that 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 spreading bush consisting of erect stems.
Korean chrysanthemum has a second name - Oak. She received it for the similarity of the flower's leaves to oak leaves. To give a decorative appearance, individual fast-growing shoots are pinched. This plant has quite a few varieties. They differ from each other in the following ways:
- Bush height. They are divided into low-growing (up to 30 cm in height), medium-growing (up to 50 cm) and tall-growing (up to 1 m).
- Inflorescence size. Small-flowered ones have a diameter of up to 0.1 m, large-flowered ones - over 0.1 m.
- Type of flower petals. There are reed and tubular.
- Type of inflorescence. Perennial Korean chrysanthemums can be grown from seeds with spherical, hemispherical, flat, double and semi-double, pompom, ray-shaped and anemone-shaped flowers.
Korean chrysanthemum is frost-resistant, therefore it is grown by gardeners in various regions. Caring for these flowers is not difficult and can be done by the most inexperienced gardener. Korean chrysanthemum blooms quite late, in September, so many call it the queen of autumn.
Peculiarities of reproduction of Korean chrysanthemums
Propagating Korean chrysanthemum is quite simple. It can be done:
- vegetative method (cuttings);
- dividing the bush;
- seeds.
Since the Korean chrysanthemum forms numerous basal shoots, it is most often propagated by dividing the bush.
Seeds
The seed method of propagating Korean chrysanthemum is used relatively infrequently, since it does not preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant.The 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, they are culled, leaving the strongest sprout.
Cuttings
When propagated by cuttings, all varietal characteristics of Korean chrysanthemum are preserved. Young shoots no longer than 8 cm are used as cuttings. They are harvested in September. Over the winter they will develop a powerful root system and will be ready to be transplanted into open ground.
Before planting, the cut portion of the cutting is kept for several hours in a solution of a growth stimulator, and then placed in boxes with moistened sand. They need to be placed under film, regularly ventilated and moistened. In spring, the grown cuttings are planted in a permanent place.
Dividing the bush
To propagate 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 the fall, in which case the planting is covered with mulch or agrofibre for the winter. This method of reproduction ensures 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. Chrysanthemums can be grown in one place for 3–5 years; you should pay attention to this when choosing a location.
Timing of planting work
Before planting in open ground, containers with cuttings should be regularly taken outside, hardening them in a way and accustoming them to the cold. The time they are exposed to the open air must be gradually increased. As a rule, cuttings are planted in open ground in a permanent place for cultivation in late May or early June.
In autumn, Korean chrysanthemum can be planted until mid-September. This will allow the bush to take root in a new place and survive the winter calmly.
Site selection and soil preparation
Korean chrysanthemum is a light-loving plant. When grown in the shade, the stems become thinner, elongated, and the inflorescences become dull and small. The place for these flowers should be bright and sunny, but it should be protected from cold drafts. The soil must be loose and fertile, with a neutral acidity level. Wetlands or places with regular stagnation of water are not suitable for growing.
Algorithm for planting flowers
Planting cuttings or cuttings can be carried out in individual holes or trenches with a depth of about 0.3 m. When planting low-growing varieties, use a 30x30 cm scheme, taller ones - 40x40 or 50x50 cm. Drainage from fine crushed stone is laid at the bottom, and complex fertilizers are also applied according to the calculation 0.5 tbsp. spoons for 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 cover the planted seedlings with covering material to create a microclimate. After signs of rooting appear, the cover can be removed.
Growing Korean chrysanthemum
To successfully grow Korean chrysanthemum, you must follow the following rules:
- After the 8th leaf blooms, the main and side shoots are pinched. This measure helps to increase branching, the bush will be more lush. If the variety is large-flowered, the side shoots should be removed completely.
- Plants need to be watered frequently, but water should not 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 at the root; water should not get on the leaves and flowers.
- 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.
- Plant feeding 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 novice gardeners.
Growing Korean Chrysanthemum Seed Mix
Quite a few Korean chrysanthemum seeds 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 in the flowerbed. Here are some of the famous Korean chrysanthemum mixtures:
- Korean blend. Bushes of medium height. Inflorescences range from double to simple, with a wide variety of flowers. They can be grown both in open ground and in pots.
- Velvet autumn. It has large double inflorescences of various colors and shades. Excellent when cut.
- Stars of the galaxy. Blooms with large double inflorescences until frost. Grown in containers or flowerpots.
You can also make up your own mixtures.
Timing of sowing seeds
Korean chrysanthemum has a fairly long growing season. It takes 6 months from the emergence of seedlings to the start of flowering, so the seeds are planted for seedlings already in February.
Preparing containers and soil
You can use various boxes and containers to grow seedlings. At the bottom you need to pour small pebbles for drainage, and then a layer of nutritious soil consisting of turf soil, river sand and humus mixed in a 2:1:1 ratio.
Sowing seeds 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 film. The temperature in the room with containers must be maintained within + 18-25 °C.
You can use another landing method. In this case, river sand can not be added to 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 this, the contents of the container are moistened and placed under cover.
Transplanting flower seedlings into 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 2-3 leaves appear, the seedlings are picked, distributing them for further cultivation into separate pots or other containers. To prevent the seedlings from stretching, it is advisable to illuminate them with a phytolamp, since the daylight hours are not enough for their normal growth.
In May, when the ambient temperature rises to + 15 °C, the grown seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in open ground. Planting is carried out in compliance with the required intervals at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. It is advisable to leave at least 30 cm between adjacent rows. When growing tall varieties of Korean chrysanthemum with large inflorescences, these intervals can be doubled.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
Korean chrysanthemums rarely get sick. The appearance of any disease may be associated either with unfavorable weather conditions or with insufficient care during its cultivation. Among the most common diseases that appear on these perennials are the following fungal and viral diseases:
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- dwarfism;
- mosaic;
- rust;
- aspermia.
Some of these diseases (dwarfism, mosaic, aspermia) cannot be treated, so the affected plants are simply dug up and burned. Fungal diseases are combated by spraying plants with fungicides, for example, copper oxychloride or Bordeaux mixture.
The most common pest that appears on Korean chrysanthemums is aphids. To combat it, the drug Actellik is used. In addition, slugs that eat leaves and nematodes that eat plant roots can cause trouble. To kill slugs, ulid or metaldehyde is used, and nematodes are fought with the drug Dekaris.
To prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests, it is necessary to prevent overgrowing of flower beds weeds, ensure constant ventilation of the soil and root zone.
How to preserve Korean chrysanthemums in winter
Most varieties of Korean chrysanthemum have sufficient winter hardiness and can easily tolerate winters. It is enough just to cut them and cover them, for example, with fallen leaves or cover them with a layer of spruce branches. However, some varieties require additional shelter. To protect such bushes, agrofibre is additionally used, which is 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, pleasing the eye with their flowering until frost. And if you use other propagation methods, you can fully preserve all varietal characteristics.
