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Chrysanthemums are delightful garden flowers that delight with long, lush and magical blooms from mid-summer until 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 retain all the valuable characteristics and properties of the variety. Such plants are more resistant to low temperatures. They are characterized by abundant seasonal flowering and a lush bush shape. The main condition for successful spring cuttings is the presence of a healthy and strong mother bush of a certain chrysanthemum variety, dug up in the fall.
In summer and autumn, during the period of active flowering of chrysanthemums, you should select and mark the future “mother” plant, from which you can get healthy cuttings
Peculiarities of propagation of chrysanthemums in spring by cuttings
The process of propagating chrysanthemums in the spring using cuttings has its own nuances and features:
- cuttings of chrysanthemums in the spring at home occurs much faster for small-flowered varieties (compared to large-flowered ones);
- You should not choose weak, thick, fleshy, highly fattening, lignified shoots as cuttings, which take root less successfully;
- no need to choose shoots with closely spaced internodes;
- early shoots of chrysanthemums used to form cuttings make it possible to obtain healthier plants with tall stems and more luxuriant flowering;
- short shoots cannot be used for cuttings, since immature shoots may rot.
When separating cuttings, you should choose healthy, young shoots
When to take chrysanthemum cuttings
There are earlier and later cuttings of chrysanthemums in the spring at home.
Previously, cuttings were carried out in January-March. The planting density of cut shoots is 4x4 cm. The rooting process lasts on average 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 5x5 cm. The rooting process of plants lasts 16-17 days. The average length of shoots of the mother chrysanthemum during this period is 5-6 cm.
The main rule should be remembered: shoots for propagation 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 of the following manipulations:
- in the fall, with the onset of stable frosts, the above-ground part is removed from the mother bush, leaving about 5 cm from the soil line;
- the uterine bush is completely dug out (along with the root system) and placed in a container of 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 exceeding + 7 ⁰C to prevent premature growth of young shoots;
- when the soil dries out, water the bush periodically;
- in mid-February, the mother plant is transferred to a warm place at room temperature, and abundant watering is started, irrigating the “waking up” crown, and fertilizing 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 2-3 pairs of leaves are left on the cut part. The tool for cutting shoots is periodically disinfected. The sections are sprinkled with growth stimulants and talc. The lower leaves of the selected cuttings must be removed and planted 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 adequate 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 and peat in equal parts.
The prepared mixture is disinfected by calcination 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 chrysanthemum cuttings
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 the future roots to be placed 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, the container with seedlings is covered with plastic film to create a greenhouse effect. Early varieties of plants are periodically taken outside, the film is opened slightly only during watering.
Universal care for chrysanthemum cuttings:
- room temperature up to + 18 ⁰С;
- substrate temperature up to + 20 ⁰С;
- the presence of a greenhouse effect;
- moistening the substrate with cuttings - every three days;
- additional lighting at night;
- after 2-3 pairs of new leaves appear, the first pinching of the top is done;
- To form a lush and symmetrical shape of the bush of the future plant, the tops of a 10-centimeter cutting are pinched a second time.
After the plants have rooted during the daytime, the film is removed from the surface of the container, but continue to be covered at night. Rooted chrysanthemum cuttings are stored indoors until spring, observing basic plant care rules. Before planting in open ground, plants are hardened off outdoors, gradually increasing the time spent in the air. After stable warm spring weather has established, young chrysanthemums are transplanted to a permanent place.
Young rooted chrysanthemums, propagated from cuttings, are planted in their permanent habitat after stable warm spring weather has established
Useful tips
The subtleties of cutting chrysanthemums in the spring, presented in the video, allow you to study in detail the main stages of the work on preparing, preserving, planting and caring for the shoots of young plants
Some useful tips will help you successfully complete spring cuttings of chrysanthemums:
- you should choose a mother bush for spring cuttings in the summer, during the flowering period (you should select and mark in advance the most luxuriantly flowering, healthy plant);
- the mother bush must be prepared and pruned in December so that at the end of February or early March the plant can produce young and healthy shoots;
- the most optimal period for spring cuttings is the end of February and the beginning of April;
- If drops of water remain on the leaves of the cuttings during watering, you should not tightly cover the container with the seedlings with film, since excessive moisture can cause rot.
Cuttings of chrysanthemums in spring is a simple, affordable and convenient method of propagating plants at home.
Conclusion
Proper cutting of chrysanthemums in the 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 very often it is 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.
