Chrysanthemum Planting & Growing Instructions
Considered perennials, chrysanthemums are available in hundreds of varieties and belong to the family Asteraceae. The chrysanthemum plant produces flowers of different shapes, including daisy-shaped, pompoms and buttons. Colors also vary widely, with red, white, yellow and purple being the most common. Chrysanthemum cultivars are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 10 and prefer planting in soil that has a pH between 6.2 and 6.7. Care of the chrysanthemums is minimal once planted, provided they reside in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Soil testing kit
- Pitchfork
- Lime or peat moss
- Shovel
- Garden hose or sprinkler
- Insecticidal soap
- Fungicide
- Pruning shears or sharp scissors
- Mulch
Instructions
-
-
1
Test the soil before planting the chrysanthemums, using a soil testing kit. Break up the soil with a pitchfork.
-
2
Add lime to the soil if the pH is below 6.2 or peat moss if the soil pH is above 6.7. Apply the required amendment according to manufacturer's instructions.
-
-
3
Plant the chrysanthemums in the soil any time of year that the soil is not frozen. Dig holes for the chrysanthemums that measure slightly deeper and wider than their root balls, using a shovel. Space each hole a minimum of 18 inches apart.
-
4
Remove the chrysanthemums from their nursery containers and set one plant in the center of each hole. Backfill the holes and pat the soil around each chrysanthemum plant to remove air pockets.
-
5
Water the chrysanthemums generously after planting, using a garden hose or sprinkler. Provide at least 1 inch of water per week, maintaining moist soil at a depth of 1 inch throughout each growing season.
-
6
Pinch off dead blooms with your fingertips. Removing spent blooms will encourage the chrysanthemums to develop additional blooms and stems. Spray with an insecticidal soap to remove pests; chrysanthemums are susceptible to aphids and nematodes. Apply a fungicide to fight leaf spot.
-
7
Cut the chrysanthemums down to 1 inch above the soil line after they die back in the late fall. Use a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut the foliage and stems. Cutting back the chrysanthemums will promote healthy growth the following spring.
-
8
Lay down mulch to keep the chrysanthemums warm throughout the winter. A 3- to 4-inch layer of bark chips, pine needles, dead leaves or straw should suffice.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Leave the mulch around the chrysanthemums once they re-emerge in the spring. Mulch will improve drainage and also reduce weed growth around the plants.
Chrysanthemums planted in well-amended soil do not need fertilizers to help them grow.
Do not overwater the chrysanthemums. Standing pools of water can cause root rot. If the soil feels moist at a 1-inch depth, do not add more water.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pink chrysanthemum image by Veronika Iosifova from Fotolia.com
