Caring for chrysanthemums in autumn and preparing the plant for winter

Chrysanthemums are luxurious flowers whose special charm lies in the fact that they begin to bloom in the fall, when the vast majority of flowers have already faded. Certain types of chrysanthemums autumn care and preparation for winter are extremely necessary. Therefore, each variety requires different methods of preparing for cold weather.

Features of caring for chrysanthemums

Some people believe that these flowers don't require special care throughout the seasons. Unfortunately, this is incorrect. To survive the winter, chrysanthemums require careful and meticulous preparation.

According to frost resistance, all chrysanthemums can be divided into several groups:

1. Large-flowered bouquet plants: Gazelle, Anna Yaroslavna, Sonechko, Elen, and other similar varieties. These flowers are quite large, reaching up to 8-10 cm in diameter. They don't tolerate cold very well. It's best to carefully dig them up and transplant them into greenhouses.
2. Small-flowered Korean daisies: Romashka, Umka, Everest, and others. They tolerate winter well, but without snow or in severe frosts they can freeze. They can be left in the open ground.
3. Multiflora: Natalie, Ares, and Trique White, among others. Small, spherical flowers. Quite low. They bloom profusely, but unfortunately, they are not very frost-resistant.

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Preparing for the cold weather

In general, it's advisable to cover all types of flowers, as the weather in Russia is not always stable and can surprise. This is especially true at the beginning of the autumn-winter period. Cold weather can arrive unexpectedly, and the protective snow cover may not have time to fall. Then, it's quite possible that some flowers won't survive the adverse conditions. Therefore, covering chrysanthemums for the winter is a guarantee of successful preparation for frost.

The procedure includes the following steps:

1. Top dressingIn late August and early September, chrysanthemum bushes should be fertilized with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Specific proportions must be observed: per 1 square meter you will need: superphosphate (approximately 45-60 g), potassium sulfate (25-30 g), and wood ash (100-150 g). The flowerbed should be thoroughly watered, then sprinkled with fertilizer granules and topped with soil.
2. TrimmingAfter the flower has finished blooming, the bushes need to be pruned. To prevent dried, old, and possibly pest-infested shoots from rotting under cover, they need to be cut off. Short stems also require significantly fewer nutrients and are easier to cover. You can determine the height yourself, calculating how much the flower will fit under the cover. Leave approximately 10-15 cm. Cut at a right angle. It's best to sanitize the knife before use.
3. Disease preventionAfter pruning damaged or dry shoots, it's a good idea to carry out preventative treatment against insect pests and fungal infections.

Types of shelters

If your region experiences mild, snowy winters, it's best to increase the mulch layer. Mulching involves covering the soil with various materials. Natural mulches include hay, bark, sawdust, and paper. Inorganic mulches can be made from gravel, rocks, or sand. This method requires pruning to a depth of 10 cm, and the layer of mulch should cover the plant. Before mulching, you should mound the soil, creating small walls to create a hole where the plant rests.

In harsher climates, it's best to create a shelter in a trench. Before the soil freezes, dig a small trench. This should be done in a dry and elevated location to prevent flooding. Place a twenty-centimeter layer of dry sawdust at the bottom. Place the dug-up chrysanthemums on this layer. The roots of the flowers are also covered with a 50-centimeter layer of sawdust. It's important to ensure that the sawdust is dry. Next, lay out boards on the surface and sprinkle them with a layer of sawdust. To maintain dryness, cover the trench with plastic film.

Another method is to create an air-dry tunnel. This method is used when chrysanthemums are planted in rows. To do this, install plastic or metal arches. Covering material is draped over the top, preferably in a double layer. To ensure dryness, place a plastic film on top. The ends should be movable. Opening should be done during warmer periods, but closing them during frosty periods is essential.

The easiest way is to create a shelter in the open ground. You can leave the chrysanthemums in the ground to overwinter, but you'll need to insulate them first. For this, use spruce branches or needle-leaved needles. To keep them dry, cover them with plastic wrap, weighing it down with something heavy to keep them in place.

Storing flowers at home

Experts recommend digging up and removing perennial garden chrysanthemums. Preparing them for winter this way has a more positive effect on the flowers. In the spring, these newly planted flowers begin to bloom faster than their counterparts that overwintered outdoors. Furthermore, signs of disease are noticed earlier when overwintering indoors, allowing for immediate preventative measures.

The flowers should be dug up with a small amount of soil. This can then be placed in any container, such as a box or bucket. Choosing a storage location for these boxes is easy. It's important to maintain a temperature of 2-9 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 75-85%. The soil should be kept moist, but avoid allowing the roots to rot. Fill the boxes with soil (peat and coarse sand). Alternatively, wrap the soil and roots in a damp cloth and place the bag on the earthen floor of the cellar, watering it periodically.

Basic mistakes

Properly preparing for winter isn't all that difficult. But to survive the winter safely, it's important to avoid the following mistakes:

• The wrong time to begin work. The first frost is usually used as a guide. However, experts advise waiting a few days to allow the flowers to harden off a bit. This allows chrysanthemums to withstand the winter better. Pruning and other procedures should begin on the fourth day.
• Not using fertilizer in early autumn. Flowers need fertilizer to ensure their roots can accumulate nutrients throughout the cold season.
• Incorrect plant cover. When constructing covers, avoid using fallen leaves, straw, and construction debris. These are sources of insect pests. If you cover flowers with these, they won't survive until spring.
• Avoid water penetration under the plant's covering. Avoid allowing large amounts of water to reach the roots of the flowers, as this can cause them to rot.

Preparing chrysanthemums for winter isn't that difficult if you follow certain rules. Incorrect procedures or mistakes can lead to the flowers freezing. Following all the recommendations, however, will ensure they bloom again in spring and delight everyone with their beauty.