Have you ever stopped to admire the quiet, gentle charm of chrysanthemums? Today, we are going on a colorful journey to explore everything about this fascinating flower—from its unique traits to how we can grow it beautifully ourselves.

Let’s get started and see why chrysanthemums have been loved for centuries!

Understanding the Identity of Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, scientifically named Chrysanthemum × morifolium, belong to the Asteraceae family. They are perennial herbaceous plants resulting from the hybridization of wild chrysanthemums and related species. In Chinese culture, chrysanthemums hold a high status, often grouped with plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo as the "Four Gentlemen" in classical literature and art. Over the years, they have not only decorated gardens but also represented resilience and elegance in countless poems and paintings.

Why Chrysanthemums Are So Popular for Decoration

We often see chrysanthemums brightening up homes, especially during the Lunar New Year. During the Double Ninth Festival, it’s traditional to enjoy chrysanthemum displays. Even the poet Meng Haoran once wrote, "On Double Ninth Day, we’ll return to admire the chrysanthemums." Their festive colors and rich symbolism make them a must-have for celebrations.

How Chrysanthemums Grow: Light, Temperature, and Timing

Chrysanthemums are typically short-day plants. They start to form flower buds as days grow shorter in autumn and winter. However, through modern agricultural techniques like night lighting to extend daylight or using blackout cloths to shorten daylight hours, we can control their blooming times almost year-round.

In warmer climates like Taiwan, chrysanthemums like "summer chrysanthemums" and "summer-autumn chrysanthemums" can even bloom without special treatment since the day lengths are naturally suitable.

Exploring the Variety of Chrysanthemums

We’ll be amazed by the diversity among chrysanthemums! The flowers themselves are composed of many small florets—some are ray florets with only female parts, and others are tubular florets with both male and female parts. Depending on the proportions and arrangements, we get different shapes and sizes, such as single-petal, pompom, decorative, and standard chrysanthemums. They come mainly in colors like yellow, white, pink, orange-red, and crimson. In Taiwan's flower markets, vibrant chrysanthemums can be found every Lunar New Year, showing just how beloved they are.

Propagation: How We Can Grow More Beautiful Chrysanthemums

To reproduce chrysanthemums, commercial growers mainly use cutting propagation instead of seeds. The best cuttings are about 5–7 cm long, with 4–6 leaves, and stems thicker than 0.3 cm. Soft, young stems are easiest to root. For best results, it’s better to break off cuttings by hand instead of using scissors, which helps prevent disease spread. Buying cuttings from specialized nurseries is also a convenient choice for many gardeners.

Best Planting Methods for a Blooming Garden

When planting, each flower stem needs around 120–180 cm² of space. If we plan to pinch the main stem once to grow three side branches, then each plant will need 360–540 cm². Typically, flower farmers plant about 10,000–12,000 plants per hectare. Chrysanthemums thrive in well-drained, airy soils rich in organic matter. If necessary, soil sterilization using steam or chemicals helps prevent diseases.

The Role of Light in Chrysanthemum Growth

Light management is crucial. If we plant chrysanthemums during winter when days are too short, the plants may start budding while still small. To avoid this and promote stem growth, artificial lighting can help extend the day length. Interestingly, preventing a continuous dark period longer than 6 hours is key. Even a faint light of about 20 lux is enough to delay budding.

Fighting Common Diseases

Unfortunately, chrysanthemums can suffer from various diseases like white rust, stem rot, black spot, wilt, anthracnose, black rust, southern blight, grey mold, and bacterial soft rot. Regular field management, proper spacing, and preventive treatments can keep our chrysanthemums strong and beautiful throughout the seasons.

Let's Grow a Garden Full of Chrysanthemums!

Lykkers, isn't it amazing how chrysanthemums can bring so much charm and energy into our lives? Their dazzling colors and rich symbolism make them a timeless favorite for any garden. As we nurture these beautiful blooms, we create not just a stunning landscape but also countless moments of happiness. Let’s get started, plant our chrysanthemums, and watch our gardens—and our spirits—bloom together!