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There are certain plants that have always been more popular than others, be it because of their color, or because of the shape of their leaves, or because of their wonderful flowers. In the last category, one of the most beautiful and popular flowers is likely to be the chrysanthemum. If you are an avid enthusiast of these gorgeous flowers and would like to learn all the secrets involved in growing chrysanthemum plants successfully, please read on.
Growing chrysanthemum plants is not very easy, but it is extremely fulfilling. Chrysanthemums come in a wide variety of species, ranging from the ones which bear small flowers to the ones which give big ones, from simple flowers (that is, just one set of petals around the center), to double and enormous pompoms, which can be breathtaking. The main objective experts have in mind when growing chrysanthemum is probably to obtain perfect flowers. For the enthusiast gardener, who does not wish to enter flower competitions, a good objective would be to produce healthy and colorful plants. This is what this article is all about: how to grow chrysanthemums for your own back yard.
New chrysanthemums must be planted outside towards the beginning of the spring season. They must be planted in a spot which gets at least four hours of sun each day, so they can flower properly. Furthermore, they should not be planted under big trees, because they will not do so well under those conditions. Chrysanthemums need a well-drained soil, slightly acid and full of organic material. If you live in an area where the soil has a high clay content, you will need to add even more organic material to the soil so as to turn it more acid. Growing chrysanthemum plants implies watering, and quite a lot at that. These beautiful plants need lots of water, but their roots must never be flooded for long periods of time, because they can rot. Water copiously in the summer, or whenever there is a dry spell, but be extra careful not to spray any water on the flowers. They can get ruined if they get wet, especially if the sun gets to them as well.
As regards caring for the plants themselves, it is important to know certain tricks that can help you obtain quality flowers. The first of these tips I would like to share is pinching. For the best results when growing chrysanthemum plants you need to pinch off the main stem, so as to stimulate the growth of the lateral stems. By doing this you will have a bushier plant, with many more flowers. The next tip is to cut off all but one of the floral buttons (buds) which typically appear in groups of three or more at the ends of the stems. In this way, each stem will bear one single flower of exceptional size and vigor. Tip number three is to ensure the plant is well-supported. Place a rod in the soil so that you can tie the plant to it and you will make sure the plant will not be damaged if there are strong winds. Growing chrysanthemum plants can be hard work, but it sure pays off.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about flower gardens and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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