Chrysanthemum (Guldaudi) in Pots: Cuttings, Pinching, Bloom (Video)

Transcript

Did you know you can start chrysanthemum in March and bloom by November?

Did you know you can start chrysanthemum in March and bloom by November?

Grow Chrysanthemum at Home

In this video you'll learn how to start chrysanthemum from a simple cutting in spring, what the seasonal pinching routine looks like, and the exact pot size that gives you a burst of colour when the days grow short. Stick around for the one timing trick that makes all the difference.

Yearly Calendar

Here's the thing: in the plains you start by taking soft green tips in March or April, then you give the plant a gentle pinch every few weeks through May and June, keep pinching until late August, and finally the shortening days of November and December coax the big blossoms out.

Rooting Cuttings

Now, the part most people miss is how to get that cutting to root. In March or April snip a 7 to 10 cm soft green tip, strip the lower leaves, tuck it 2 to 3 cm deep into a mix of coarse sand and a bit of cocopeat, then keep it in bright shade, misting daily and covering with a clear bag on hot days.

Cutting tip length

The number you see here isn’t random; a 7 to 10 cm tip gives enough leaf nodes to develop roots without wasting energy on excess foliage. Plant it just a couple of centimeters deep, and you’ll see a healthy root system forming in a week or two, ready for the summer pinches.

Potting Mix & Feeding

What surprised me is how simple the soil recipe is: two parts regular potting soil, one part compost or leaf mould, and one part coarse sand. Good drainage prevents rot, and feeding with compost every few weeks keeps the plant vigorous. As September rolls in swap to a feed higher in phosphorus and potassium and cut back on nitrogen, so the buds can form nicely.

Peak summer temp

In places like Multan the thermometer can climb to 45 °C in April and May, so the plant needs a daily drink when the top two to three centimeters of soil feel dry. Move the pots to a shaded spot in the afternoon to avoid scorching, and you’ll keep the leaves happy until the pinching season ends.

Disbud for big blooms

When the buds appear in October, each stem carries a big central bud surrounded by tiny side buds. If you want a single showy flower per stem, just rub off those side buds with your thumbnail, you’ll end up with one impressive bloom. Or leave them all for a fluffy cushion of smaller flowers; the choice is yours.

The one timing tip

And this is where it gets interesting: the single timing trick that decides whether you get a handful of modest flowers or a spectacular display is the pinching schedule. Start pinching in May, repeat every two weeks, and make sure you finish the last pinch by the end of August. That steady pruning forces the plant to set more flower buds before the short days arrive.

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Read the full guide

Read the complete guide on thecareonline.com. This is general information, not medical advice.