Every year in autumn they are available again in garden centres, supermarkets, hardware stores and nurseries: the chrysanthemums, which bloom profusely in many different colours, are often spherical. Unfortunately, the pretty shrubs are often disposed of after they have faded, although they are actually perennial plants by nature.
Chrysanthemums usually flower in autumn for several years
Do not discard wilted chrysanthemums
The robust chrysanthemums can be planted out in the garden - provided they are hardy varieties - or cultivated in pots. Of the approximately 5,000 known varieties, the autumn chrysanthemums (also known as "winter asters") have proven to be very robust and extremely hardy. But whatever variety you have at home, all chrysanthemums have similar requirements:
- a location that is as bright as possible without direct sun (especially no midday sun!)
- a loose, humus-rich and slightly calcareous soil
- water regularly - even in winter
- avoid waterlogging
- fertilize between March and September
- Support larger specimens with a stick
- Remove spent blooms to encourage further flowering
- Cut back the plant completely after flowering
When does the chrysanthemum bloom?
Chrysanthemums are one of the plants that bloom very late in the fall. Some varieties bloom as early as August, while others only bloom in October. The rule of thumb is: the later a chrysanthemum blooms, the better its winter hardiness. Don't be surprised, however, that your chrysanthemums will most likely flower later than in the nursery: there the plants are stimulated to flower earlier with artificial light. As a rule, the chrysanthemum only opens its flower buds when the days are getting shorter and are about as long as the nights. A maximum daylight time of 10 hours is ideal.
Overwinter chrysanthemums properly
How to overwinter perennial chrysanthemums depends on the variety and its hardiness. Hardy chrysanthemums ("autumn chrysanthemums") can remain outdoors, but should be covered with brushwood. Non-hardy varieties or potted chrysanthemums, on the other hand, should always overwinter under cold house conditions indoors or in a greenhouse. Temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius have proven to be ideal for this.
tips
Chrysanthemums are also very easy to propagate, either from seed or from cuttings. You can also propagate and rejuvenate older specimens by dividing the roots.