Arlene Wright-Correll

How to Grow Chrysanthemums©



Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2008

by
http://www.learn-america.com

From the time I was 14 years old until the time I was 16 years old I worked after school and Saturdays on a Chrysanthemum farm on Long Island. We were paid 25 cents an hour.

Suffolk County in those years were parts of tulip farms which have long since been replaced by tract housing and so is the Chrysanthemum farm which has been replaced by a car dealership.

However, in those days this is where my friends and I worked to make spending money.

I learned a lot about Chrysanthemums in those days. They are just about the easiest perennials to grow and they should be planted in the early spring after all danger of frost has past. They can be planted most anytime and we lots of them emerge in the nurseries in the fall with their rust, yellow and orange colors. However, once planted just make sure they have time to set in their root system before the hottest part of summer.

Chrysanthemums love lots of sunshine and you need to give them plenty of water and organic food and they will reward you well with beautiful flowers.

Though Chrysanthemums can be started from seeds I have never done that except when I was a kid working on the Chrysanthemum farm. Nowadays I buy mine at nurseries and even the smallest pots when placed in an area with enough space quickly grow to nice bushy sizes in about 3 seasons. You can also do divisions of larger plants and one can start plants from cuttings.

Chrysanthemums should be planted into well prepared fertile sandy soil. Chrysanthemums do not like "wet feet" so remember to dig your hole fairly deep.

Plant your Chrysanthemums about 18 to 30 inches apart and feed lightly with a good organic fertilizer every 2 weeks when you start them out. If you want a bushier plant then pinch off about of an inch from each branch when the plants are 6 inches tall.

There are hundreds of varieties of Chrysanthemums and they do well in large containers for those of you who are container gardeners.

You do not have to worry about dividing Chrysanthemums as they grow better and faster when they are divided.

Should you wish to start Chrysanthemums from seed then sow your seeds into prepared soil where they are allowed to bloom at least 2 months prior to the first frost. You can also start them indoors in very early spring and later transplant them. You will need to keep your rooting medium at a constant temperature of 70 to 75 degrees and the germination will take from 8 to 25 days.

"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with

Peace, Light and Love,

Author's note: This article was originally written for GreenThumbArticles.com

About the Author & Artist. Arlene Wright-Correll (1935- ___), popular American award winning Artist, published author, columnist, & is the resident art instructor for Avalon Stained Glass School, at the age of 68, decided to pick up her paint brushes again after 54 years and paint.  She is a cancer and stroke survivor who is able to strive forward each and everyday to welcome the beauty of this small planet.  She also is a China & Porcelain painter, Sandblasting & Etching, Stained Glass & fused glass Artisan. She is one of the six KY Artists who worked 6 months to create the dolls for Journey Jots in 2006 and a Smithsonian Institute art exhibit in 2008. Her published books can be found here . She is also a featured writer for GreenThumbArticles.com and teaches Art Vacation Holidays at Avalon Stained Glass School and Creativity Center.

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