Rules for cutting chrysanthemums at home, methods of propagation

Chrysanthemums are valuable because they bloom at a time when other plantings are already entering a dormant state. They are easily propagated in several ways, one of which is by taking cuttings from the chrysanthemums you like. This procedure is simple, even an inexperienced gardener can do it. The plants take root easily, and, mainly in the fall, bloom inflorescences of various sizes and colors. Below is information about the nuances of cutting chrysanthemums in different periods.

Features of the procedure in different periods

You can cut chrysanthemums in spring and autumn. The procedure allows you to preserve the varietal characteristics of the crop.

Spring-summer

For spring cuttings in the spring, the mother bush is taken out of the basement, from which shoots begin to grow quickly in the warmth. When they reach a length of 10-12 centimeters, they are cut for cuttings. The propagation procedure can also be carried out in the summer by cutting cuttings and planting them in moist soil. With good care, a garden flower has time to bloom this fall.

Autumn

For autumn cuttings, chrysanthemum bushes are pruned and after 2 weeks they are brought into a warm room. When the quickly emerging shoots reach 8-10 centimeters, they are separated and planted separately. The peculiarity of autumn cuttings is that the seedlings must be separated from the mother plant by hand, and not cut with a knife.

How to take cuttings

The best bushes are used for propagation by cuttings. They must be strong, without signs of diseases and pests.

Deadlines

In spring, chrysanthemums are cut from March to May, depending on the ripening period. The earlier the variety, the earlier the procedure begins. You can also separate cuttings and plant them in the ground throughout the summer. In the fall, the mother bush is dug up just before frost.

Cuttings in spring

For cuttings, choose strong, elastic shoots. Each cut cutting should have 2-4 internodes. The lower part of the trunks is freed from leaves. This is done so that the shoots do not rot during rooting. The remaining leaves are shortened by ⅓.

Harvesting queen cells in the fall

In order for chrysanthemums to bloom profusely and spectacularly next season, you need to carefully select mother plants. They must have well-developed roots, healthy and strong. Bushes are dug up in the fall, before the onset of persistent frosts.

Storing queen cells in winter

Throughout the winter, you need to monitor the indoor air temperature. It should not rise above +4 °C, otherwise shoots may appear prematurely. The humidity of the surrounding air is equally important. If the cellar is damp, chrysanthemums do not need additional watering. The dried soil is lightly irrigated with water.

Planting and preparing queen cells

To prepare the uterine bush, the following procedures are carried out:

• at a height of 5 centimeters from the ground surface, cut off the entire above-ground part of the bushes;
• chrysanthemums are dug up and placed in a bowl with a lump of earth;
• The root system is covered with sand.

The mother bush is placed in the cellar, where it will be stored until spring.

Summer cuttings of chrysanthemums

For summer cuttings, select stems that have not yet had time to become lignified. Cut off the top 10-12 centimeters high, which is planted in the shade. To prevent moisture from evaporating from the cutting, it can be covered with a glass jar. The seedlings are watered, and after 2-3 weeks they will begin to develop roots.

Important! For cuttings, use a sharp, disinfected knife.

Reproduction from a bouquet at home

The procedure is not difficult to perform. Shoots that remain in a humid environment for a long time will sooner or later take root. The main condition is that the water must be changed every day to prevent acidification and, as a result, rotting of the shoot. For the same reason, you need to remove all leaves that are in a humid environment.

How to prepare cuttings

The cuttings are cut with a sharp knife, but not to the very root, but leaving shoots 2-2.5 centimeters long on the mother plant. In the future, shoots will grow from them, which can also be rooted. Weakened, thin cuttings are removed from the bush, since viable chrysanthemums will not grow from them. The lower part of the cut shoots is cleared of leaves.

Planting cuttings in substrate

To grow cuttings, prepare a light, loose substrate consisting of turf soil, peat and sand. The landing procedure is as follows:

• drainage made of expanded clay or small stones is placed at the bottom of the planting box;
• prepared soil is poured on top;
• cuttings are buried no more than 2.5-3 centimeters;
• A small layer of river sand is poured on top.

The cuttings are planted at a distance of 4-5 centimeters from one another. While developing, they should not touch their crowns.

Rules of care

Caring for chrysanthemums involves creating high humidity for quick rooting of cuttings, watering, picking, and fertilizing.

Temperature

The box with plantings is placed in a room with a temperature of 15-18 °C. In a warmer place, cuttings will take root faster, but there is a greater chance that they will rot. The room should be well lit. If there is a lack of light, the plantings are illuminated artificially.

Humidity

Plantings require high humidity to take root. To increase it, the box with cuttings is covered with film. It should cover the seedlings in such a way that air does not penetrate into them from the sides. Remove the film after roots have formed on the cuttings.

Substrate humidification

When chrysanthemums are kept under a film, they do not require frequent watering.You need to ensure that the soil is moist, but not wet. Excess moisture can cause fungal diseases.

After rooting

When the cuttings begin to grow, this means that they have taken root and their development has begun. So that they do not interfere with each other, a pick is made: a distance of 8 centimeters is left between the plants. Excess bushes can be rooted by planting them in separate containers. Further care consists of watering and fertilizing once a week with mineral fertilizers.

Other methods of reproduction

Chrysanthemums reproduce in several ways. In addition to cuttings, the method of propagation by layering is used, as well as dividing the bush. Another method is seed, most often used not by gardeners, but by breeders.

Dividing the bush

Chrysanthemum is easily propagated by dividing the bush. For this purpose, 3-year-old plants are chosen. The procedure is performed as follows:

• bushes are dug up along with a lump of earth;
• long shoots are shortened;
• Using a sharp knife, the bushes are carefully divided into several parts;
• the divisions are planted in pre-prepared holes.

The best time for reproduction is mid-spring.

By layering

This method is easy to propagate tall chrysanthemums. When the shoots stretch well up, they can be bent to the ground and pinned in the middle. The place of contact with the ground is hilled up and watered. For the winter, the shoots are covered with spruce branches. In the spring, cuttings with their own roots and shoots are dug up and transplanted to a permanent place.

Seeds

This method can be used to propagate chrysanthemums, both initially at home and immediately by sowing seeds in open ground. In both cases, the crops are covered with film so that they grow faster in a humid environment.When the 3rd and 4th leaves appear on the seedlings, they are thinned out. Young plants are fed several times a season.

Note! Chrysanthemum cuttings grown at home are hardened off before planting in open ground..

Planting planting material in the ground

In order to grow spectacular chrysanthemums by autumn, cuttings are planted in a permanent place at the end of spring. The landing site is selected that is illuminated by the sun and not blown by the wind. Chrysanthemums will grow well in loamy soil amended with organic matter. Bushes are planted in cloudy weather, in holes 25-30 centimeters deep. Plants are watered and mulched with peat.