Each of us wants the graves of our loved ones to be beautifully decorated on All Saints’ Day. Popular cemetery plants include chrysanthemums, which delight with small flowers in various colors, symbolizing the memory of those who have passed away. How to care for these specimens in a pot? Is it worth buying them in supermarkets and discount stores? You will find answers to these questions in this article.
We plant them in permeable and light soil. It is best to choose those intended for flowering plants, with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. It is worth adding sand or perlite because they will provide better drainage and prevent water stagnation. We also recommend placing expanded clay or small pebbles at the bottom of the pot, which will help prevent root rot.
These flowers prefer partial shade, that’s why we place them in a position with diffused sunlight. It is worth protecting the plants from the wind and it is better not to place them in a place where it rains.
Chrysanthemums require regular, moderate watering. It would be a good idea to check the soil moisture every day. It cannot be too dry or too moist. It is best to water them from the bottom – it involves placing the specimens in a bowl of water for several minutes. Then the water will be evenly distributed and overflow will be avoided.
Chrysanthemums grown in pots should be supported with a multi-ingredient fertilizer for flowering plants to increase the intensity of flowering and extend the life of the flowers. Let’s choose fertilizers with reduced nitrogen content.
In autumn, these specimens should be protected against low temperatures. For this purpose, during heavier frosts we move them to a cooler place (cannot be cold). This way we will prolong their flowering.
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Chrysanthemums in supermarkets and discount stores are easily available and much cheaper than those from gardening stores. Unfortunately, it is not worth buying them in these places because they will last for a very short timesometimes even just 2 days. Why is this happening?
In supermarkets we can buy plants with accelerated flowering. Such varieties, especially those imported en masse, are not resistant to changing weather conditions. Moreover, in such places they tend to be overflowed or dried out. Therefore, they have weak roots.
Please also note that these specimens are often improperly stored in supermarkets and discount stores. They can be closed in halls where they do not have enough light. As a result, they become weakened and unable to withstand the cold weather in the cemetery.
We recommend buying chrysanthemums for All Saints’ Day in specialist garden nurseries. And in such places we must pay attention to their condition. They should have buds that are not yet developed and firm, green leaves without spots.
It is best to choose varieties with smaller flowersbecause they are more resistant to difficult weather conditions. It is also worth checking the condition of the roots by gently pulling the plant out of the pot – healthy roots will be white and strong, not dry or rotten.
