Chrysanthemums are short-day plants. This means that they bloom when the day is short and the night is long.An uninterrupted, sufficiently long night is the factor responsible for switching plants from vegetative growth (developing shoots and leaves) to generative growth (setting flower buds and blooming).
The critical day length depends on the variety: late varieties bloom at a 10-13 hour day, early varieties even when the day lasts 14-16 hours.Thanks to this knowledge, gardeners are able to will be able to accurately predict when plants will bloom - with a naturally shortening day it takes place from September to October / November. Before this happens, however, the plants must first reach the desired size.
This is why the optimal date for preparing chrysanthemum seedlings in amateur cultivation is in the spring (April and May).To do this, take the tops of the shoots 8-10 cm long, from which the lower leaves are removed.Before placing the seedlings in the substrate, it is good to treat the seedlings with a rooting stimulant. It is best to root the cuttings in multi-pots covered with foil, glass or a special transparent cover.
This treatment delays the drying out of the substrate and is used to maintain high air humidity around the seedlings. At a temperature of 16-18ºC, the cuttings take root after about 4 weeks.You can then transplant them into pots and grow them outside, preferably in a place sheltered from the wind and strong sunlight.In order for the seedlings to branch out better, remove them 1-2 weeks after transplanting.If we want profusely flowering plants, repeat this activity after another 2 weeks.
