Increasing the size of plants means making more of them.You duplicate the parent plant so you get the same variety.The result isn't always predictable when you grow from seed.If you want to keep older plants going for a second season, it's a good idea to grow new plants from fresh cuttings each year.
Step 1: In the springtime, take chrysanthemums.
The best time to harvest last year's flowers is in the spring.After flowering the previous fall, you should have cut them back.
Step 2: The plants should be moved indoors for a couple of months.
The outdoor plants should be moved into a cool indoor space that is frost-free.The ideal temperature is 45 F.It's best to do this around January.If you keep the soil moist and the temperature around 45–50 F, the plants will have enough growth to take cuttings in about a month.
Step 3: Cut a number of stems from the plant.
If you want to snap off the parent plant, you can use your fingers or a knife.Fresh healthy stems can be taken from as far down the plant as possible.Try to keep the uniform short.If you want new plants, it is best to take three times as many cuttings as you did before.Leave the leaves at the top of the stem.
Step 4: The compost mix needs to be prepared.
Take a plug tray or individual pots filled with a cutting compost or a compost and perlite mix.If using a mix, take 4 parts regular compost to 1 of perlite.You could sprinkle more perlite on the compost trays.
Step 5: You can plant the cuttings.
Before planting, dip the end of each cutting in hormone rooting powder to a depth of about half an inch on the cut end.Remove excess by shaking it very gently.To make a hole in the compost, use a slim stick, pencil or barbecue stick.Put the cutting in the hole to a depth of about an inch and firm with your fingers.The tray should have a name and date on it.
Step 6: The trays should be closed with a clear plastic bag.
If you put sticks in the soil, the bag won't touch the cuttings.To make a mini greenhouse, cut the spout off a clear plastic drinks bottle and put it over the cutting.They can be put into a heated propagator unit, which will help them to root.
Step 7: In a well-lit location, keep the cuttings until they take root.
Keep the chrysanthemums out of the sun.It is ideal to have a window ledge that doesn't get full sunlight.The temperature should be above freezing.The plants should grow in about 4 weeks.If you see roots underneath the plant, replant them into pots.
Step 8: For more support, stake the established cuttings.
If you want to stake the plants, you should use a wooden barbecue or kebab stick.Use string or wire ties to tie the main stem to the stake.
Step 9: Before planting outdoors, allow the cuttings to harden off.
It will take some time to adjust to life outdoors if grown indoors or under glass.They can acclimatize to the moving air and different humidity and temperatures of the outside without being shocked so much that their development is badly affected.Plants sown inside your home should be moved to a cooler space.You can leave your plants outside during the day but not at night.Plants grown in a heated greenhouse need to be hardened off in the outdoors.Once the danger of frost passes, they can go outside permanently.
Step 10: The outdoor location of the chrysanthemum needs to be prepared.
A few weeks before planting outside, prepare the chrysanthemum's new location by digging in some well-rotted manure or compost and applying a general fertilization such as blood, fish and bone.There is a nitrogen-rich dressing applied to the surface of the ground after planting.
Step 11: To encourage new growth, pinch the young chrysanthemums.
Pinching your cuttings will encourage new stems to form and lead to bushy growth and more blooms.Once the plant has six leaf stems, it's fine to do this in the early summer.The main stem of the plant has six leaf stems.6 leaf stems are left on the plant after the main stem is removed.
Step 12: The pinched off stems could be used as cuttings.
You can try to root the pinched off part of the plant.Remove the lower leaves from the cut piece, shorten the stem to about 4 inches (10 cm) in length, and repeat the steps in the sections above for rooting cuttings.
Step 13: The plant needs to be removed a few weeks after pinching.
You can see vigorous stems below where you pinched the plant after a few weeks.You might want to stop at this point.The base of the main plant stem needs to be removed.It is best to leave a few healthy stems at the top of the plant.
Step 14: After flowering, cut the plants back.
The plant should be cut back to 8 inches (20.3 cm) from the ground.The plant needs this to store more energy for winter.
Step 15: In milder climates, cover the chrysanthemums with a layer of mulch.
Some species of chysanthemum can survive outdoors in the winter if they have a good mulch and well drained soil.Before the ground gets too cold in the fall, apply a 3 inch mulch of rotted manure.The base of the plant can be reached by this.
Step 16: If you want to keep the chrysanthemums indoors, lift them.
If you expect a cold winter, you should lift your plants over the winter.Remove the greenery and shake off the soil.Place the compost in a tray.Plants can be kept in a frost-free place such as an insulated shed.The compost should be kept moist.