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Make your potted Chrysanths last longer!
Let’s face it, our favourite plants to buy in the supermarket are Chrysanthemums. They come in a variety of beautiful hues and are an inexpensive way to bring longer lasting
colour to our homes and patios. They are also a super gift as the flowers last much longer than those in a bouquet.
The problem is, of course, how do we make them last? When the leaves start to brown or the flowers fade we think we’ve done something wrong. The truth is, you just need to know the secrets of helping them to last longer.
Choose the healthiest plant
The first thing you’ll need to do is choose the healthiest plant you can find. Choose wisely to maximise your enjoyment of these beauties. Look at the flowers. You can expect your potted Chrysanthemum to bloom for at least 2-3 weeks, but ideally, they can bloom even longer. When selecting a potted Chrysanth, choose one that is mostly buds rather than in full bloom. This
way, you can enjoy the full duration of its blooming phase. Do not choose a one with many faded flowers as it will already be at the end of its blooming period.
Look at the leaves
Choose a lush and healthy plant. Leaves should be firm and green. Avoid plants with wilted or yellowed leaves. Check for signs of insects or disease and don’t buy a plant that looks generally sick or unhealthy. Chrysanthemums do well in the general cooler temperature offered indoors. Caring for Chrysanths indoors is easy and with only a few tips you can keep a plant healthy for quite a while.
Water Regularly
The soil in the pots should be moist, but not soggy. Chrysanths do not tolerate soggy soil, nor to they tolerate completely drying out. This is critical to keeping them alive and blooming. Plants growing in pots and containers tend to dry quickly, so check the soil moisture daily and give them a hearty drink of water anytime they start to feel dry.
Fertilise
To keep your Chrysanthemums going use a light fertiliser which boosts flower growth. A teaspoon of Epsom Salts sprinkled around the base of the plant also does wonders in fertilising and keeping pests at bay.
Remove dead flowers
Remove spent blooms (deadhead) to keep plants looking fresh and produce more flowers. Deadheading can also help encourage your plants to produce more blooms. Using sharp scissors or handheld pruning shears, simply snip off any dead flowers.
Repot after blooming
Transplant your Chrysanthemums into a larger container with good drainage holes. You will need a container that’s larger than the one they came in. Use a durable and sturdy pot made of plastic or ceramic, and make sure your pot has good drainage holes on the bottom. You can choose to repot them individually or grow several in one container.
Use the right soil
Chrysanthemums prefer rich, well-drained garden soil that retains moisture. It’s most important that the soil doesn’t stay soggy or dry out completely, so it should hold moisture without being squishy and wet.
Prune for fuller growth
Once your Chrysanth stops flowering, prune your plant to encourage fuller,
bushier growth.
Transplant into the garden
If you want your Chrysanths to bloom next season, then transplant them into the ground, observing all the necessary conditions.
