a. Methods of propagation
- Cuttings
- Division/stolons
- Seeds
- Grafting
- Tissue culture
b. Soil
Any soil that permits good drainage and aeration is suitable
for chrysanthemum. A medium consisting of 1 part compost, 1 part
garden soil and 1 part animal manure or the combination of compost
and coir dust, or rice hull or garden soil can be used. A pH
of 6.0 - 6.5 is recommended.
c. Temperature
The best temperature in growing chrysanthemum ranges from 20
- 280 C for day and 15 - 20 0C for night.
d. Light intensity
Chrysanthemums are short day plant, which requires short days
or long nights to flower. The critical day length is 14 - 15
hours for flower initiation and 13 -14 hours for development.
e. Planting
Rooted cuttings can be planted directly into raised beds or pots.
Distance of planting varies according to the season. As more
space per plant is allowed during those periods when light intensity
is comparatively less.
The conventional spacing between the 1-meter wide beds is
15 x 15 cm during the dry season months and 15 x 20 cm during
the wet season months
e. Water requirements
Chrysanthemum needs only small amount of water during the stages
of growth but it is important to avoid water stress during the
vegetative growth. Water requirement increases as vegetative
growth progresses. However water requirement should be reduced
as the plants approach the flowering stage.
f. Fertilizer requirements
Chrysanthemum takes up relatively large amount of both nitrogen
and potassium during the vegetative growth. If the plants are
already established, liquid fertilizers containing about 210
ppm N and 220 ppm potassium that should be added every 2 -3 weeks
interval until buds show color.
g. Support/Staking
Since spray and standard chrysanthemums may be as tall as 30"
to 36", it is necessary to support the stems as the crop
matures. Generally, chrysanthemum are tied to bamboo stakes,
metal hog wire or sturdy sticks to keep them erect and properly
hold flowers or the main stem of the flowers.
h. Pinching and disbudding
Pinching on the growing tip of the plant is done to induce branching
and increase the number of flowering stems per plant.
Disbudding for standard mums or "single flower"
group. Lateral buds are removed to allow terminal bud to develop
into a big flower
For spray types, the terminal bud is removed to develop a
spray of large uniform flowers from lateral buds.
i. Harvesting
Spray mums are generally harvested at the two thirds to three-fourths
open stage; standard mums at the three-fourths to full open stage
of development. Flowers to be shipped long distances should be
harvested when approximately one-half open. Flowers must be harvested
late in the afternoon or early morning.
j. Pest Control
Aphids, thrips, leafminers and mites are the common insects attacking
chrysanthemum. Spraying with any recommended insecticides may
control the infestation.
Cercospora leaf spot, alternaria leaf spot, fusarium stem
rot and powdery mildew are the common diseases attacking chrysanthemums.
Using any fungicide can control these diseases.