How to preserve chrysanthemums in winter without digging them out of the ground

Chrysanthemums are deservedly considered the queen of autumn. They begin blooming when other garden varieties are finishing their blooms or already dormant. Novice gardeners often ask how to preserve chrysanthemums over winter without digging them up. Experienced gardeners believe that digging them up isn't always necessary. Some varieties can be provided with the necessary cover and left to overwinter in the garden.

Preparing plants for winter

Preparing plants for winter begins differently in each region. In the Moscow region, this work begins in late August. In southern regions, concerns about covering heat-loving plants begin in early or mid-autumn. At this time, gardeners prune stems, apply fertilizer, and begin winter sheltering.

At the end of the summer season, apply fertilizer to the bush. The recommended fertilizer composition is a complex one with a higher phosphorus content and a lower potassium concentration. This agronomic treatment will provide the plant's root system with adequate nutrition and increase its cold tolerance.

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Autumn pruning

All plants (both those overwintering in the ground and those dug up) are subject to fall pruning. This procedure begins after the seasonal temperature drops. Avoid over-prune and cut shoots at the root. Above the soil surface There should be stems of at least 10 cm in length left.

Gardeners disagree on whether all chrysanthemums should be dug up for the winter. Some believe all plants should be dug up because they can be damaged by both frost and prolonged thaws. Others prefer to rely on the climate of the region where the plants are grown.

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Which varieties should be dug up?

Chrysanthemums of the "Multiflora" variety, including large-flowered and branched varieties, must be removed from the ground. It has been noted that plants with large inflorescences do not overwinter in the ground well. They are removed from the ground after the onset of cold weather and stored in a dry basement.

Indian varieties especially need a gentle wintering:

• Golden Orpheus;
• Helen, etc.

Similar plants can be transplanted into greenhouses, insulated loggias or orangeries.

Popular varieties of small-flowered chrysanthemums are:

• Oak tree;
• Red Moscow;
• Lilac fog;
• Everest;
• Korean;
• Malchish-Kibalchish;
• Chamomile, etc.

In all regions with a warm climate, they can be left in the ground for the winter, provided they are covered in advance to avoid the risk of freezing.

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Making the right decision about digging up or leaving chrysanthemums in the ground requires consulting helpful information. The regional climate should be taken into account. It's a known fact that plants survive well under a layer of snow, even in harsh winters. However, if the cold season is snowless and accompanied by severe frosts, chrysanthemums may not survive and die. Similar damage to the roots can be caused by frequent alternating thaws and frosts, as well as prolonged rainfall.

The second important factor to consider is the chrysanthemum variety. For the central part of the country and the Moscow region, Korean hybrid varieties are preferable. When purchasing a plant you like, it's important to choose a garden variety rather than a houseplant.

Newly purchased bushes should be planted no later than the end of August to allow the chrysanthemums time to fully establish. Phosphorus fertilizers are added to the planting hole, and nitrogen fertilizers will be needed in the spring. Potassium fertilizers are added during the warm season to promote abundant flowering.

Caring for dwarf varieties

Compared to traditional chrysanthemum varieties, their dwarf counterparts were developed more recently. Their mission is to decorate balconies, loggias, mixed borders, and even apartments. Residents of southern regions don't bother too much with covering the spherical varieties of these plants for the winter. Simply cover them with spruce branches, and they're covered.

In a harsh climate such chrysanthemums are subject to digging upThe rhizomes should be removed from the soil after the above-ground portion has dried. After lightly cleaning off the soil, the chrysanthemum roots are laid out in the shade to dry. After removing the dead fragments, the roots are placed in containers with sawdust or straw and stored in a dry basement.

Some gardeners take a different approach. Immediately after removing the plant from the soil, they cut off the shoots, leaving 10 cm of stem, and place the rhizome in a flowerpot filled with peat. A drainage layer of foam fragments is placed at the bottom of the container. It is recommended to moisten the roots and treat the stems with an insecticide. This will protect the plant from aphids and other pests in the coming season. This method is used to store chrysanthemums in the basement over winter until spring.

Dwarf chrysanthemums are most often grown indoors. However, southern regions allow them to be planted in flowerbeds and left there for the winter. When growing dwarf plants indoors, the above-ground portion is cut back in the fall, leaving only 10 cm of shoots. The container is moved to a dry room with an ambient temperature of 8°C. Water the plants no more than once a month. Be sure to label the containers with the variety name.

Organizing a shelter

Plants should be covered in stages. First, prune, then earth up. When earthing up, avoid creating holes and grooves where excess moisture can accumulate.

Gardeners should earth up the bushes in the soil so that they are completely covered. In harsh climates, it is also recommended to cover the chrysanthemum bushes with spruce branches or sawdust. However, the second protective layer should be applied after frost sets in.

Bricks, slate sheets, or other available materials are used as shelter for overwintering plant bushes. Protective brick walls are built around the rhizomes and topped with slate. Shelters are constructed from specialized agricultural materials or available materials. Breathable agronomic material such as lutrasil or spunbond can be used as a roof. This design will ensure ventilation and protection from heavy rainfall.

Chrysanthemums almost always need to be covered for the winter, but not too warmly. A big mistake gardeners make is applying too much cover, which can cause the plant to rot. Those who don't want to risk losing rare varieties can separate a small root fragment from the mother plant and store it in a basement. The main plant is then covered and left to overwinter in the ground.

The simplified procedure for covering is as follows:

1. The above-ground part of the chrysanthemum is cut off, leaving shoots of 15-20 cm.
2. The bush is hilled with soil or peat.
3. A layer of leaves and spruce branches is laid.

Besides mulching, another method for preserving chrysanthemums over winter without digging them up is planting them in a trench. To accomplish this overwintering method, you need to dig a hole up to 50 cm high. The hole is created at a raised site, and its bottom is insulated with pine needles or spruce branches. The chrysanthemum roots are placed tightly together and lightly sprinkled with peat. The plants are then covered layer by layer with polyethylene, boards, and slate sheets.

Not everyone has the opportunity to keep their plants in a dark room. Gardeners without backyard space are forced to keep them outside. To ensure a trouble-free overwintering of chrysanthemums outdoors, it's important to heed the practical advice of experts.