If you do not remove the faded flower stalks immediately, seed pods sometimes form. From these you can get seeds and use them to propagate your chrysanthemums. However, you can also buy seeds from specialist shops and online, often from rather rare chrysanthemum varieties.
Some chrysanthemums develop seed pods after flowering
Chrysanthemums are cold germs
Chrysanthemums are among the cold germs. This means that a cold winter phase must first be simulated before sowing. The expert gardener calls this process "stratification" and is in principle very easy to carry out. For this purpose, fill the seeds together with some moist sand in a freezer bag or in another well-closable container. The package goes into the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator for a few days. Once stratification is complete, separate the seeds and sand, then soak the seeds in warm water for about 12 hours. As a result, the seeds lose their germination inhibition and can be sown.
Direct sowing outdoors
Of course, you can save yourself this process and sow the chrysanthemum seeds directly outdoors. Direct sowing takes place either in March (but then cover the cold frame with foil) or in August and September. The seeds are placed at a depth of about one to two centimetres.
prefer chrysanthemums
Alternatively, simply prefer the young chrysanthemum plants to the windowsill. After stratification, plant the seeds about two centimeters deep in pots with potting soil, cover them with perforated cling film and place them in a light but not too warm place. Chrysanthemums germinate best at a temperature between 14 and 20 °C. You can prefer the young plants from February. Keep the substrate moist but not wet.
Proper care for young chrysanthemums
The young plants should be transferred to humus-rich soil at an early stage, but can only be outdoors after the ice saints. Gradually acclimate the young chrysanthemums to direct sunlight, but do not plant them outside just yet. Planting out is only advisable in the second year, when the plants are more robust and hardy. In the first winter they should be overwintered under cold house conditions.
tips
Chrysanthemums can also be propagated without much effort using top cuttings or by dividing the roots. Both methods show a higher success rate than growing the plants from seeds.