Chrysanthemums, affectionately known as “mums,” are cherished for their vibrant blooms and versatility in gardens worldwide. Propagating chrysanthemums through cuttings is a cost-effective and rewarding method to expand your collection. This guide delves into the step-by-step process of chrysanthemum propagation, care tips, common challenges, and solutions to ensure a flourishing garden.

📅 Optimal Time for Taking Cuttings

The ideal period for taking chrysanthemum cuttings is between May and September. During these months, the parent plants are actively growing, providing healthy stems suitable for propagation.

✂ Selecting and Preparing Cuttings

Choose Healthy Parent Plants: Select disease-free, vigorous chrysanthemum plants.

Cutting Specifications:

Length: 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm).

Tools: Use a sharp knife or a new blade to make clean cuts, minimizing damage.

Preparation:

Remove the lower leaves, retaining only the top pair.

Optional: Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to enhance root development.

🏡 Planting Medium and Environment

Medium: Use river sand for its excellent drainage properties.

Planting:

Insert the cuttings about 1 inch deep into the sand.
Space them adequately to allow air circulation.

Environment:

Place the setup in a semi-shaded area, protecting it from direct sunlight.

Maintain consistent moisture by watering daily, ensuring the sand remains damp but not waterlogged.

🌱 Root Development and Transplanting Schedule

Rooting Phase:

Roots typically develop within 15 days.

Gently tug on the cuttings to check for resistance, indicating root formation.

Transplanting Stages:

Stage 1: Move rooted cuttings to 1-inch pots filled with plain soil.

After 15 Days: Transplant into 3-inch pots containing a mix of 50% soil and 50% compost.

After 1 Month: Transfer to 6 or 8-inch pots with the same soil-compost mixture.

💧 Watering and Maintenance

Watering:

Water when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.

Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

Fertilization:

Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., NPK 10:10:10) every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dosage.

🛡 Pest and Disease Management

Common Insecticides:

Imidacloprid:

Brands: Confidor, Admire.

Dosage: 0.5 ml per liter of water.

Frequency: Once a month.

Cypermethrin:

Brands: Cyperkill, Ripcord.

Dosage: 1 ml per liter of water.

Frequency: Once a month.

Common Fungicides:

Carbendazim:

Brands: Bavistin.

Dosage: 1 gram per liter of water.

Frequency: Every 15 days.

Carbendazim + Mancozeb:

Brands: SAAF.

Dosage: 1 gram per liter of water.

Frequency: Every 15 days.

Common Diseases and Controls:

Powdery Mildew:

Symptoms: White powdery spots on leaves.

Control: Apply sulfur-based fungicides.

Leaf Spot:
- Symptoms: Brown or black spots on foliage.

Control: Remove affected leaves and apply appropriate fungicides.

Aphids and Whiteflies:

Symptoms: Sticky residue on leaves, yellowing.

Control: Use insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays.

🌼 Flowering Timeline

Chrysanthemums propagated through cuttings typically bloom in November and December, adding a splash of color to late-year gardens.

🛒 Acquiring Cuttings

For those preferring to purchase, small seedlings or cuttings are available from reputable nurseries starting in July.

🌿 Common Fertilizers and Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)

Fertilizers:

NPK 10:10:10: Balanced growth.

NPK 15:15:15: Enhanced flowering.

Dosage: 1 teaspoon per liter of water, applied every 2 weeks.

PGRs:

Paclobutrazol:

Purpose: Controls plant height, promotes bushiness.

Dosage: 0.5 ml per liter of water.

Frequency: Once during the vegetative stage.

🌟 Caring Tips

Pinching: Regularly pinch the tips to encourage bushier growth.

Staking: Support taller varieties to prevent lodging.

Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to promote continuous flowering.

Sunlight: Ensure at least 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight daily.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I propagate chrysanthemums in water?

A1: While possible, rooting in river sand provides better aeration and reduces the risk of rot.

Q2: How long do chrysanthemums live?

A2: With proper care, chrysanthemums can thrive for several years.

Q3: Why are my chrysanthemum leaves turning yellow?

A3: Possible reasons include overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pest infestations.

📸 Chrysanthemum Varieties

Pompom Variety:

Giant Variety:

Note: Replace the above URLs with actual images from reputable gardening sources.

🎥 Cutting Tutorial

For a visual guide on taking chrysanthemum cuttings, refer to this tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVlfQyX9PRM

🌼 Chrysanthemum Cutting and Propagation: A Comprehensive Guide