In autumn (after flowering), the entire aboveground part is cut off from the queen cells at a height of 5 cm (2 in); autumn rosette shoots are removed at soil level, which contributes to the growth of new spring strong shoots. With the help of one of the mother plants, you can get:
- large-flowered chrysanthemums have 8-16 cuttings (depending on the variety);
- chrysanthemums with small flowers have 20-30 cuttings
After rooting, the cuttings are put in boxes and left so for the winter. In the spring they will become mother plants. Another way to obtain cuttings is multiple pruning of the aboveground parts of the stem in summer.
Cuttings period
It is better to cut chrysanthemum from March to the end of May. Varieties of early flowering period – in March-April, medium and late – in April-May. With a multi-stemmed culture, large-flowered and small-flowered varieties of chrysanthemums are propagated in March, with a single-stemmed one – in April, May and early June.
Duration of the rooting period:
- January-March-20-25 days;
- in April-May-16-17 days.
During the period of intensive growth of shoots, plants are regularly watered and fertilized 1-2 times with a solution of organic fertilizers. A sufficient amount of nitrogen during this period contributes to the rapid growth of shoots and rooting of cuttings.
Which shoots are suitable for cuttings
Cuttings are cut immediately to the desired length with shoots on which at least four leaves have developed. Weak, fatty, strongly woody or with closely spaced internodes shoots are better not to take.
What should be the cuttings
The base of the cuttings should not be hard and not soft, since the wood tissue delays rooting and is subject to soft rot. There should be 3-4 sheets on the cutting.
The leaves on the cuttings are carefully preserved, removing only the lowest ones, which improves the rooting process. On the part of the shoot remaining on the queen cell, there should be at least 2-3 leaves, from the axils of which new shoots grow after 12-15 days, used on cuttings.
The length of the cut depends on the condition of the plants:
- at early reproduction – 7-8 cm (2.75-3.1 in), because they are soft. If the length of the stalk is less, it is likely that it will begin to rot;
- with late reproduction – 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in).
Preparation for planting: pruning, stimulants, substrate
If the broken shoots are additionally cut off before planting, the tool must be periodically disinfected to prevent the transmission of diseases.
In the early stages of cuttings, the slices are sprinkled with talc mixed with growth stimulants. Later, the cuttings take root without the use of growth stimulants.
For planting cuttings, water and an air-permeable substrate are needed:
- peat;
- peat with sand;
- a mixture of equal parts of turfy earth, peat, sand;
- mixture of sod and leaf soil, sand (2:1: 1);
- you can use an earth mixture of well-rotted sandy compost soil with the addition of peat (1:3).
The substrate layer (it should be at least 10 cm/3.9 in) is leveled, compacted, washed sand is poured on top with a layer of 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in), or better — washed sand with peat (1:1). Before and after planting the cuttings, the substrate is well moistened.
The nuances of the landing
Cuttings are planted to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm (0.6 in), so that the formed roots are in the nutrient layer. When planting, use a peg to avoid damaging the base. Distance between cuttings:
- in January-March-5×5 cm (2×2 in);
- in April-may-4×4 cm (1.6×1.6 in).
Temperature and humidity, illumination
The optimal temperature for rooting cuttings is 15…+17 °C (59-62.6°F); the temperature of the substrate should be 2-3 degrees higher. At a higher temperature, the cuttings take root faster, but they rot more often. It is important that when rooting in the leaves there is enough light for photosynthesis. From January to mid-March, additional lighting will be required at night.
In the first 5-8 days after planting, cuttings especially need high soil and air humidity. To do this, it is better to use a film, which covers the planted cuttings at a height of 30-35 cm (11.8-13.7 in), so that air does not penetrate from the sides. It does not require frequent spraying or watering (1 time in 2-3 days is enough). As soon as the roots are formed, the film is removed, first only at night, and then it is used only during hours of intense sunlight.
When the cuttings took root
When the length of the roots reaches 1 cm/0.4 in (from this time the growth of the tip of the stem begins), the cuttings are removed from the substrate and planted with a distance of 8×8 or 10×10 cm (3.14×3.14 or 3.9×3.9 in).
As soon as the plants begin to grow, they are fed (1-2 times a week) with a complete mineral fertilizer in dry or dissolved form (at the rate of 20 g / m2).
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