How to Cultivate Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums come in so many different colors that many gardeners cannot decide which they like the best--so they plant them all!

Chrysanthemums come in so many different colors that many gardeners cannot decide which they like the best--so they plant them all!Chrysanthemums are a resilient flower that begin to bloom at the end of summer and can be persuaded to maintain their flowers throughout fall in milder areas. These large, beautiful flowers are popular for Mother's Day and Homecoming dance corsages, make a lush and vibrant foundation for a fresh bouquet and come in an endless assortment of rainbow hues. These hardy flowers require very little attention as long as you heed a few growing fundamentals. Plant them in the right place and at the right time; give them a modicum of love and care, and you cannot go wrong!

Things You'll Need

• Sunlight

Instructions

How to Cultivate Chrysanthemums

1. 

   Make sure they will get plenty of sunlight. Before you plant, watch your intended garden carefully to make sure that most of the day it is in the sun. Mums do not thrive in shade, and if the area gets more than four hours of shade in a day, then you should select another planting site.

2. Insure that the plot has good drainage. Chrysanthemums have shallow roots, so standing water can quickly cause significant rotting and damage. In the event of heavy rains, you may wish to either shelter your chrysanthemum plot or dig small ditches to encourage runoff.

3. Keep the temperature cool.If you are raising chrysanthemums down south, you will need to plant them in the fall rather than during the summer. An average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for the formation of buds and flowers. If you are hit with a hot spell, you may need to bring your flowers indoors if possible or postpone planting.

4. Plant on compost. While almost any fertilizer will nourish your plants, chrysanthemums appear to thrive best on organic fertilizers and mulch. If you have a compost heap, you can use this rich earth to supplement the area where you plan to plant. Avoiding chemical pesticides can also help keep your flowers brilliant and healthy.

5. 

   Divide the flowers regularly. As your plants mature, they will form large, underground tangles of roots. These roots cause the individual shoots to actually kill each other as they compete for the same nourishment and nutrients. Carefully untangle the roots to locate the thick, central cluster called the "stolon." Each stolon and its flowers should be planted at least one foot away from the next.

6. Burn diseased stems and flowers.Simply removing the problem areas will not remove the threat of disease as long as the plant remnants remain in your yard. If you do not wish to burn them, bag them rather than throwing them on the compost pile or into the bushes.

Resources

• Visit the official website of the National Chrysanthemum Society