When summer passes and the weather begins to cool down, we may think that we will not be able to see more flowers until spring arrives again. But if we do, we will be wrong, because during autumn and winter there are species that produce flowers, as is the case of Chrysanthemum x morifolium.
It is a herb 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, since it is It is widely used to decorate homes during All Saints' Day, which is celebrated on November 1.
What is its origin and its characteristics?
Image - Flickr / Kai Yan, Joseph Wong
El 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 sprout leaves that can be either lance-shaped or egg-shaped, with a glabrous upper surface and a hairy underside, and measure a maximum of 12 centimeters long by 6 centimeters wide.
If we talk about its flowers, they are actually inflorescences (groups of flowers) of the corymb type which is rounded, and pink, yellow, red or white in color. The seeds are cylinder-shaped achenes which are approximately 1 millimeter long.
Does it have any use?
Yes. Of course, it is a very beautiful plant that is used precisely to beautify the gardens and others, but in its place of origin it also has medical uses. In fact, infusions are prepared to relieve, for example, the symptoms of a cold or a headache.
How to take care of Chrysanthemum x morifolium?
This chrysanthemum is fairly easy to care for. However, we will have to know what he needs to be well and, incidentally, get him to live everything he has to live. Therefore, what we will do is the following:
Location
Where to place the chrysanthemum? This is a grass that, in order for it to flourish in conditions, If there is something that should not be missing, it is the sun. For this reason, it is highly recommended to put it outdoors, directly exposed to the sun. For example, a good place could be the balcony, or the window sill.
If this is not possible, an alternative could be to have it indoors, but only if the room where we want to put it gets a lot of (natural) light from outside.
Earth
- En flower pot we will put universal substrate for plants. Likewise, said pot must have holes in its base through which the water can escape; otherwise, the roots would rot as a result of excess water.
- If you are going to be in the soilIt is important that the soil have good drainage.
Irrigation
When do you have to water Chrysanthemum x morifolium? The main problem that cultivated plants can have is excessive watering, so it is very, very important that we water our plant only when the soil is almost dry. And how to know? Well, this is quite simple: with a wooden stick.
We introduce it to the bottom, and when we extract it we will see if the earth is dry or not. If it is, the stick will come out as it came in, that is, practically clean and dry; Otherwise, it will come out with adhered dirt. In this video you have more information:
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El Chrysanthemum x morifolium It is a flowering plant, so for it to produce many, It is advisable that we fertilize it throughout the year except in the coldest season of winter, since if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, our protagonist enters a kind of rest, so she will not need that contribution of fertilizer.
As fertilizers, or if you want fertilizers, you can apply these: universal fertilizer (for sale here) or for flowering plants (for sale here), guano (you can buy it here) or even, if it is on the ground, we can add homemade fertilizers such as chopped egg shells or tea bags.
Multiplication
The chrysanthemum multiplies by seeds. These have to be sown during the spring in seedbeds with universal substrate. Of course, you have to put very few, and above all, do not group them. If they are sown, for example, in a pot with a diameter of about 8,5cm, we will put about 3 or 4 on the surface of the substrate, and then we will cover them with a very thin layer of it.
Planting time
It has to be planted in the garden or change the pot in spring. If we take into account that, for example, in Spain, as we said, it is sold in autumn, it is best to keep it in a pot until the temperatures begin to improve, since if it were planted at that time it could suffer some damage.
Rusticity
It resists cold as well as moderate frost.
Do you have some Chrysanthemum x morifolium home?