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Chrysanthemums are delightful garden flowers that delight with long, lush and magical flowering from mid-summer to late autumn. Plants can be propagated at home. Experts recommend carrying out cuttings of chrysanthemums in the spring due to the fact that the seedlings obtained in this way are able to fully preserve all the valuable characteristics and properties of the variety. Such plants are more resistant to low temperatures. They are characterized by abundant seasonal flowering, lush bush shape. The main condition for successful spring cuttings is the presence of a healthy and strong mother bush of a certain type of chrysanthemum, 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
Features of the reproduction of chrysanthemums in spring by cuttings
The process of reproduction of chrysanthemums in the spring with the help of cuttings has its own nuances and features:
- grafting of chrysanthemums in the spring at home is much faster for small-flowered varieties (compared to large-flowered ones);
- you should not choose weak, thick, fleshy, highly fatty, lignified sprouts that take root less successfully as cuttings;
- no need to choose shoots with closely spaced internodes;
- early shoots of chrysanthemums used to form cuttings allow for healthier plants with a higher stem and more lush flowering;
- short shoots should not be used for cuttings, as immature shoots can rot.
When separating cuttings, healthy, young shoots should be selected.
When to cut chrysanthemums
Distinguish between earlier and later cuttings of chrysanthemums in the spring at home.
Previously, cuttings are carried out in January-March. The planting density of cut shoots is 4x4 cm. The rooting process lasts an average of 20-25 days. During this period of time, the length of the "daughter" shoots in the mother plant is 7-8 cm. The cuttings are characterized by a soft, non-lignified structure.
Later grafting is carried out in April-May. The planting density is 5x5 cm. The rooting process of plants lasts 16-17 days. The average length of the shoots of the mother chrysanthemum during this period is 5-6 cm.
The main rule should be remembered: the shoots for propagation should not be soft and not too hard, since a lignified surface will delay the rooting process, and an overly 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 reproduction begins in the fall and consists in carrying out the following manipulations:
- in the fall, with the onset of stable frosts, the aboveground part is removed from the mother bush, leaving about 5 cm from the soil line;
- the uterine bush is completely dug up (along with the root system) and placed in a container of a suitable size (box, container);
- sprinkle the roots with earth or sand;
- a container with a mother bush is placed for "wintering" in a cellar or stored in a cool, dark place at a temperature not exceeding + 7 ⁰С to prevent premature growth of young shoots;
- when the soil dries up, the bush is periodically watered;
- in mid-February, the mother plant is transferred to a warm place with room temperature, abundant watering, irrigation of the "waking up" crown, feeding with ammonium nitrate is started.
After 1-2 weeks, young shoots 10 cm long appear on the mother chrysanthemum.
After moving the uterine 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 keep 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 left on the cut part of 2-3 pairs of leaves. The tool for cutting shoots is periodically disinfected. The sections are sprinkled with growth stimulants and talcum powder. From the selected cuttings, it is necessary to remove the lower leaves and plant in a 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 land. To provide full 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 with sand in equal parts;
- a mixture of vermiculite with sand, peat, sphagnum moss in equal parts;
- a mixture of turf with sand, peat in equal parts.
The prepared mixture is disinfected by calcining 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 the nutrient substrate. For planting chrysanthemum cuttings, various containers are used: containers, pots, boxes, plastic, paper or peat cups. To speed up the process of plant rooting, cover the container with seedlings with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. Early varieties of plants are periodically taken out into the street, the film is slightly opened exclusively during watering.
Chrysanthemum cuttings care universal:
- indoor air 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 the appearance of 2-3 pairs of new leaves, the first pinching of the top is done;
- to form a lush and symmetrical bush of a future plant, the tops of a 10-centimeter cutting are pinched a second time.
After rooting of plants in the daytime, the film is removed from the surface of the container, but continues to be covered at night. The storage of rooted cuttings of chrysanthemums until spring is carried out indoors in compliance with the elementary rules for caring for plants. Before planting in open ground, the plants are hardened outdoors, gradually increasing the time spent in the air. After the establishment of stable warm spring weather, young chrysanthemums are transplanted to a permanent place.
Young rooted chrysanthemums, propagated from cuttings, are planted in their permanent habitat after the establishment of stable warm spring weather
Useful Tips
The subtleties of cuttings of chrysanthemums in the spring, presented in the video, allow you to study in detail the main stages of work on the preparation, conservation, planting and care of the shoots of young plants
Some helpful tips to help you successfully complete spring cuttings of chrysanthemums:
- choosing a mother bush for spring cuttings should be in the summer, during the flowering period (the most luxuriantly blooming, healthy plant should be selected and noted in advance);
- the mother bush must be prepared and pruned in December so that at the end of February or at the beginning of March the plant can release young and healthy shoots;
- the most optimal period for spring cuttings is the end of February and the beginning of April;
- if, during watering, drops of water remain on the leaves of the cuttings, do not tightly cover the container with the seedlings with a film, since excessive moisture can cause rot.
Cutting chrysanthemums in spring is a simple, affordable and convenient method of plant propagation at home
Conclusion
Correct grafting of chrysanthemums in spring allows you to grow healthy young plants, which are distinguished by persistent 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. Cutting is a simple and effective method of propagation of any varieties and varieties of garden chrysanthemums.
