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Large chrysanthemums are perennials from the Asteraceae, or Asteraceae, family. 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 as cut flowers. In addition, lush inflorescences bloom at a time when most flowers fade.
Description of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums do not grow in the wild. They were bred by breeders by crossing varieties of Japanese and Chinese origin. These are perennial plants with a branched or thickened root system and strong, erect stems. They grow up to 100 cm in height.
The shoots of various varieties are bare or pubescent and branch well. The leaves are arranged alternately and are colored dark green or gray-green. The shape and size vary depending on the variety.
The inflorescences of large chrysanthemums are basket-shaped and consist of a large number of reed and tubular flowers. One can collect up to 1000 pieces. The diameter of the baskets reaches 20 cm. The buds can be double 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 loam soils, with sufficient light and moisture.
Varieties of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Breeders have developed a large number of varieties. Here are some popular names:
- 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 at the end of summer and remain until frost. The basket inflorescences 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, which grow in open ground up to 90 cm, and as a potted crop - up to 30 cm.The inflorescences have large petals, and during the formation of buds they emit 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 keep well when cut. Can stand in a vase for 3 weeks.
Planting and caring for large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums prefer moderate air temperatures, no higher than +25 degrees. Buds can form at levels of +11 and above. These are short-day plants. They bloom at a time of year when night lasts longer than day. But to grow green mass, the crop needs at least 14 hours of daylight. In the central regions of Russia it begins 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 a landing site
The culture does not like stagnant water and shade. The place for growing large-flowered chrysanthemums in open ground should be located on a hill and be well lit by sunlight. If it does not meet these conditions, plants may become elongated, delay flowering, and wilt prematurely.
The soil should be slightly acidic or neutral, moisture-permeable, light and loose, saturated with nutrients. Before planting cuttings, dense and poor soils are enriched with peat and rotted manure or compost are added. Coarse sand is added as a drainage layer.
Landing rules
Cuttings are planted in open ground. Plants are not buried in the soil, since the root system develops parallel to the soil surface. Planting dates depend on climatic conditions in a particular region. In the central regions of Russia, the crop is transferred to open ground in the second half of May, when average air and soil temperatures rise above +14 degrees.
Planting of rooted cuttings is carried out as follows:
- Prepare holes 30–40 cm deep.
- Spill them with settled water.
- Drainage is poured into the bottom of each recess.
- Add a mixture of garden soil and vermicompost in a ratio of 20:1.
- Cuttings of large chrysanthemums are placed in the holes and sprinkled with soil.
- If the variety is tall, immediately install supports.
Multi-stemmed chrysanthemums are placed in beds at a distance of 20–30 cm from each other, single-stemmed chrysanthemums are spaced 15 cm apart.
It is recommended to plant large chrysanthemums in cloudy weather; if on sunny days, then in the early morning or late evening
Watering and fertilizing
To grow and bloom abundantly, chrysanthemums need fertile soil. They respond well to fertilization. At the beginning of the growing season, when green mass is growing, plants require nitrogen and potassium complexes. The first time during the season, root feeding is carried out 2-3 weeks after planting. Add ammonium nitrate solution. Then the procedure is repeated every 2 weeks.
Fertilizing is combined with watering.When consuming nitrogen, follow the dosage recommended by the manufacturers, since an excess of the substance in the soil causes burns and darkening of leaves, reduces the immune defense of plants, and leads to aphids.
After the formation of buds and until the inflorescences are cut, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are used. During the season, plants are fed with them 2-3 times.
Immediately after planting, chrysanthemums require daily watering for a week. 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. They adhere to the following rule: the longer the intervals between waterings, the more abundant they should be.
Formation of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums must be formed correctly, choosing the best buds. The number of flower stalks on the bush and the size of the inflorescences depend on this. The plant can have 1 or 3 stems, each of which bears one flower.
When the planted cuttings take root in a new place, perform the first pinching. Without it, primary buds do not produce full-fledged inflorescences. After 6–8 leaves appear on a large chrysanthemum, its crown is cut off. The plant produces new shoots. Gardeners select a few of the strongest ones and eliminate the rest.
The time of the last pinching depends on how long the inflorescences have been developing. For large chrysanthemums, from 30 to 40 days pass between pinching and laying buds; between laying at the point of growth of the inflorescence and the onset of 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 in open ground until spring. In autumn they are dug up and stored at positive temperatures. In the southern regions, the crop can be left in flower beds for the winter.
After cutting the inflorescences, the queen cells are cut off, leaving the lower part of the shoots. The dug up rhizomes are placed in deep boxes and sprinkled with a moistened mixture of sand and peat. The containers are kept in greenhouses or on verandas until cold weather sets in. In winter, they are sent to dark rooms where the temperature is maintained from +50 to –10 degrees.
Propagation of large-flowered chrysanthemums
Large chrysanthemums are propagated by cuttings, as well as by dividing bushes. These procedures are planned for May or even the beginning of summer, when the likelihood of frost and cold snaps is excluded.
The seed method does not allow preserving varietal characteristics
Cuttings of large chrysanthemums are cut from shoots with 4 or more leaves. Their bases should not be soft or woody. The bottom leaf is removed for better rooting. A substrate is prepared for planting material, which should allow moisture and air to pass through well. It could be:
- perlite;
- a mixture of peat and sand;
- vermiculite and sand;
- turf, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1;
- turf soil, sand and peat in equal quantities.
The soil is moistened and sprinkled with a layer of sand. Cuttings are planted in it to a depth of 1–1.5 cm, the distance between them is 4 to 5 cm. In the room where the cuttings are rooting, the air temperature is maintained at +15 degrees. The soil should be a little warmer.
Diseases and pests
Large chrysanthemums are susceptible to gray rot and downy mildew. To prevent and combat these diseases, plants are treated with fungicides.
Among insect pests, nematodes pose a particular danger to crops. Symptoms of damage include black, confluent spots on the lower leaves. Infected chrysanthemums cannot be treated. They must be burned to prevent damage to healthy flowers.
Photos 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 area, you can plant flowers along the entire length of the fence.
Compositions are brighter if you combine specimens of different shades
Conclusion
Large chrysanthemums are gorgeous, eye-catching flowers. They can decorate any space. Their health and the beauty of the flowers depend on how correctly and regularly they care for large-flowered chrysanthemums.
