Chrysanthemum (Guldaudi) in Pots: Cuttings, Pinching, Bloom
Every December, guldaudi shows pull crowds in Lahore and Karachi, and those huge blooms start as humble cuttings taken in spring. If you want to know how to grow chrysanthemum at home, the honest answer is this: root cuttings in March or April, pinch the plant through summer, stop pinching by late August, and it flowers as the days shorten in November and December. Buying a rooted cutting from a nursery is the fastest start.
Quick facts
- Best method: stem cuttings or suckers from an old plant; seed is rarely worth it
- Cuttings taken: March to April in the plains
- Flowers: November to January in the plains, as days shorten
- Pot: 8 to 12 litres (10 to 12 inches) for one plant
- Sun: 6 hours or more; shade from the harsh afternoon in May and June
- Effort: medium; the pinching schedule is the whole secret
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What is the yearly calendar for guldaudi?
| Month | What to do (plains) |
|---|---|
| February to March | Old plants send up suckers; cut back last year’s stems |
| March to April | Take cuttings or separate rooted suckers |
| May to June | Pot on; shade in afternoon heat; first pinch |
| July to August | Pinch again; last pinch by mid to late August |
| September to October | Feed, stake, disbud for big flowers |
| November to January | Flowering |
NC State Extension recommends cutting plants back three times in spring and summer with the last cut around mid August. In Karachi the season runs a few weeks earlier and milder; in Islamabad and Peshawar it is close to Lahore’s. In the hills, frost often arrives before the flowers, so pots must come indoors.
How do you root a chrysanthemum cutting?
- In March or April, cut a 7 to 10 cm soft green tip from a healthy, flower free shoot.
- Strip the lower leaves and cut just below a node (the bump where a leaf joined).
- Insert 2 to 3 cm deep in damp coarse sand or a half sand, half cocopeat mix.
- Keep in bright shade, misting if the air is dry. Cover with a clear bag on hot days, opening it for an hour daily.
- Roots usually form in two to four weeks. New leaves at the tip are the sign.
- Pot into a 1 to 2 litre pot, then into the final pot by June.
Division also works: tease apart the rooted suckers around an old plant in spring and pot each one. Seed gives mixed, often disappointing flowers, and grafting is a show grower’s hobby, not a home method.
Big flower or many flowers? Disbud.
When buds appear in October, each stem tip has one big central bud with small side buds. Rub off the side buds with a thumbnail for one large show flower per stem. Leave them all for a cushion of smaller blooms. Same plant, two looks, your choice.
What potting mix, water and feed does it want?
Use 2 parts soil, 1 part compost or leaf mould and 1 part coarse sand; see our potting mix ratio guide. Drainage matters because root rot and stem rot are common.
- April to June (up to 45C in Multan): water when the top 2 to 3 cm is dry, often daily, morning. Move pots into afternoon shade.
- Monsoon: water only when needed; keep leaves dry to limit mildew.
- October to December: every 2 to 4 days. Protect from frost nights under a roof.
Feed compost every few weeks through summer. From September, switch to a feed a little higher in phosphorus and potassium and stop nitrogen heavy feeds, which give soft leaves and fewer buds.
Why is my chrysanthemum not flowering?
- Street light or a bright room at night. Chrysanthemum is triggered by long nights. A pot under a porch light can stay leafy all winter.
- Pinched too late. A September pinch removes the buds.
- Too little sun. Under six hours gives leggy stems and few flowers.
- Too much nitrogen. Leaves win over flowers.
Yellow leaves and pests: what to do first?
| Sign | Cause | First response |
|---|---|---|
| Green or black clusters on tips | Aphids | Hose off; garlic chilli spray |
| Speckled, dull leaves, fine webbing | Spider mites | Wash leaf undersides; raise humidity |
| Silvery streaks, twisted buds | Thrips | Remove damaged buds; neem spray |
| White powder | Powdery mildew | Remove leaves, space pots, water soil only |
| Lower leaves yellow and dying | Overwatering or wilt | Let mix dry; remove badly hit plants |
NC State Extension lists aphids, thrips, spider mites and lace bugs, plus mildew, rust, leaf spot and root and stem rots. Try neem oil spray before stronger options.
Grow it or skip it?
| Situation | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny roof, enjoy a routine | Plant | The best winter colour in the plains |
| Want flowers this month | Plant, bought in bud | Nursery pots in bud are sold in late autumn |
| Bright lights on the balcony all night | Maybe | Move pots to a dark corner from September |
| Hill station with early frost | Skip outdoors | Frost comes before the bloom |
Pair it with the starter crops in our first five plants plan, and find more flowers in Phool aur Paudhe.
Chrysanthemum leaves and sap can upset the stomach if eaten and can cause a mild rash in sensitive skin, so wear gloves when pinching and keep pots away from cats and dogs. NC State Extension lists it as a problem for cats, dogs and horses. If you use a chemical insecticide on thrips or mites, read the label, wear gloves and a mask, and keep children off the roof until it dries.
Guldaudi questions people ask
When is the best time to plant chrysanthemum in Pakistan?
Take or buy cuttings in March and April. That gives a full summer of growth before flowering in November and December.
Can I grow chrysanthemum from seed?
You can, but the flowers rarely match the parent. Cuttings copy the exact colour and form you liked.
How many times should I pinch chrysanthemum?
Two or three times between May and August. Stop by mid to late August so buds can form.
Can chrysanthemum flower twice a year?
Some modern pot types are forced by nurseries, but at home in the plains expect one main winter flush.
What do I do after flowering?
Cut stems down to about 15 cm and keep the pot barely moist. Suckers appear by late winter for new cuttings.
Why are chrysanthemum buds not opening?
Thrips inside the bud, frost or dry soil at bud time are the usual reasons. Open one bud to check for tiny insects.
Do chrysanthemums need full sun?
Yes, six hours or more, with afternoon shade only in the hottest months.
Is a nursery chrysanthemum worth buying in bud?
Yes for instant colour. Keep it in sun and water by touch; after flowering, treat it like an old plant and take cuttings in spring.
Is chrysanthemum poisonous to pets?
It can cause vomiting if eaten and is listed as a problem for cats and dogs. Keep it out of their reach.