When summer passes and the weather begins to cool down, we may think that we won’t be able to see any more flowers until spring returns. But if we do, we’ll be wrong, because during autumn and winter there are species that produce flowers, as is the case with Chrysanthemum x morifolium.
It is a grass that can exceed a meter in height, and whose beauty makes many of us buy one or more specimens as soon as we find them for sale, which in Spain is usually from the end of October, because it is widely used to decorate homes on All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1.
What is its origin and its characteristics?
Image – Flickr/Kai Yan, Joseph Wong
The Chrysanthemum x morifolium It is a herbaceous plant with a bushy appearance native to Asia, especially China. It can reach a height of between 30 centimeters and 1.5 meters depending on the cultivar, and develops stems that grow vertically., that is, they are practically straight. From these shoots grow leaves which may be lance-shaped or egg-shaped, with a glabrous upper side and a hairy underside, and measure a maximum of 12 centimeters long by 6 centimeters wide.
If we talk about its flowers, they are in fact corymb-like inflorescences (groups of flowers) that are rounded, and pink, yellow, red or white in color. The seeds are cylindrical achenes about 1 millimeter long.
Is it of any use?
Yes of course, it is a very beautiful plant that is used precisely beautify the gardens and others, but in its place of origin it also has medical uses. Indeed, the infusions are prepared to relieve, for example, the symptoms of a cold or a headache.
How should it be cared for? Chrysanthemum x morifolium?
This chrysanthemum is quite easy to care for. It will however be necessary to know what he needs to be well and, incidentally, to make him live everything he has to live. Therefore, what we are going to do is the following:
Location
Where to place the chrysanthemum? It is a grass which, in order for it to flourish in conditions, If there’s something that shouldn’t be missing, it’s the sun. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to put it outside, directly exposed to the sun. For example, a good place could be the balcony or the windowsill.
If this is not possible, an alternative could be to have it indoors, but only if the room where we want to put it receives a lot of (natural) light from outside.
Ground
- In flower pot we will put a universal substrate for plants. Similarly, said pot must have holes in its base through which water can escape; otherwise, the roots rot from excess water.
- If you are going to be in the Usually IIt is important that the soil has good drainage.
Irrigation
When to water Chrysanthemum x morifolium? The main problem that cultivated plants can have is excessive watering, so it is very, very important that we only water our plant when the soil is almost dry. And how do you know? Well, it’s quite simple: with a wooden stick.
We introduce it at the bottom, and when we extract it, we will see if the earth is dry or not. If so, the stick will come out the way it came in, which is practically clean and dry; Otherwise, it will come out with stuck-on dirt. In this video you have more information:
Subscriber
The Chrysanthemum x morifolium It is a flowering plant, so for it to produce a lot, It is advisable to fertilize it throughout the year except during the coldest season of winter.because if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, our protagonist enters a kind of rest, so she will not need this input of fertilizer.
As fertilizer, or if you want fertilizers, you can apply these: universal fertilizer (on sale here) or for flowering plants (on sale here), guano (you can buy it here) or even, if is in the ground, we can add homemade fertilizers such as chopped eggshells or tea bags.
Multiplication
Chrysanthemum multiplies by seeds. These should be sown in spring in nurseries with a universal substrate. Of course, it is necessary to put very few, and especially, not to group them. If they are sown, for example, in a pot of about 8.5 cm in diameter, about 3 or 4 will be placed on the surface of the substrate, then covered with a very thin layer of it.
Planting time
It must be planted in the garden or change pots in the spring. If we take into account that, for example, in Spain, as we have said, it is sold in autumn, it is best to keep it in a jar until the temperatures begin to improve , because if it was planted at that time, it could suffer some damage.
hardiness
It resists both cold and moderate frost.
Do you have any Chrysanthemum x morifolium at home?