Chrysanthemum Flower
(History, growing requirements & pest
and diseases that commonly affect them)
Quick facts
Common
name Chrysanthemum
Botanical name Chrysanthemum
Group Hardy/half-hardy perennial
Flowering time September-October
Planting time April-May
Height and spread 10cm-1.5m (4in-5ft)
Aspect Sunny
Hardiness Tender
Difficulty Moderate
Botanical name Chrysanthemum
Group Hardy/half-hardy perennial
Flowering time September-October
Planting time April-May
Height and spread 10cm-1.5m (4in-5ft)
Aspect Sunny
Hardiness Tender
Difficulty Moderate
History
of Chrysanthemum Flower:
In the
17th century, the Western World got an opportunity to get introduced
to “Chrysanthemum”. Karl Linnaeus, a
renowned Swedish botanist [also the
founder of that branch of taxonomy dealing with plants and including the
science of classification and identification], in the year 1753, combined the
Greek words chrysos, meaning gold
with anthemon, meaning flower and that’s
how the name Chrysanthemum came into existence.
Plant Chrysanthemums, sometimes
called mums or chrysanths, are flowering plants of the genus Chrysanthemum in
the family Asteraceae. They are native to Asia and northeastern Europe. Scientific
name: Chrysanthemum Higher classification: Anthemideae Rank: Genus Source : Wikipedia
The
chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China as a flowering herb and is
described in writings as early as the 15th Century B.C. In fact, their pottery
depicted the chrysanthemum much as we know it today. As an herb, it was
believed to have the power of life. Legend has it that the boiled roots were
used as a headache remedy; young sprouts and petals were eaten in salads; and
leaves were brewed for a festive drink. The ancient Chinese name for
chrysanthemum is “Chu.” The Chinese city of Chu-Hsien (which means
Chrysanthemum City) was so named to honor the flower. Source: www.mums.org/history-of-the-chrysanthemum/
The
chrysanthemum flower has two types of florets : ray florets that would be called petals on a daisy, and disc
florets that are the center florets in a daisy type of bloom. Only the disc
florets can reproduce. All classes of chrysanthemums have both types of
florets, but in many of the classes, the disc florets are not apparent. In
those plants, the plant breeder uses a pair of scissors to uncover the disc
florets for pollination and the development of new cultivars. Source: www.mums.org/history-of-the-chrysanthemum/
Growing
Requirements of Chrysanthemum Plants
Chrysanthemums
should be planted into well prepared, fertile, sandy soil and they grow best
and produce the most flowers if they are planted in full sunshine. They should
be planted in early spring after all
danger of freezing, however they can be planted almost any time, as long as
they have time to establish their root system before the hottest weather.
They also suit to
plenty of food and moisture There are around 100 of varieties of Chrysanthemums
of different height, flower size, colour and time of bloom. They can be started
as seeds, from cuttings and dividing, or can be purchased at a nursery in sizes
from bedding plants up to gallon size and larger plants
Problems
Here is a list of pest and diseases that commonly affect chrysanthemums.Pests
Aphids and leaf miners are common pests. Leaf and bud eelworms can damage stock that has not been heat-treated. Earwigs sometimes damage blooms. Capsid bug and glasshouse red spider mite are occasional pests.
Disease
Rust diseases, especially Chrysanthemum white rust, can be very damaging and hard to control. Powdery mildew can be damaging in dry conditions. In wet weather grey moulds and other fungal rots can be severe. Several virus diseases may cause stunting and leaf markings.
References
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