How to keep cut chrysanthemums in a vase for a long time
In order for chrysanthemums to remain fresh and beautiful in a vase for as long as possible, caring for cut flowers should begin with preparing the bouquet even before it is placed in water. To do this you will have to do a few simple manipulations:
- Cut each stem with a sharp knife along an oblique line.
- Remove all leaves from the bottom of the stems.
- For better penetration of water and nutrition to the plants, the tip of each stem can be split with a cross-shaped cut.
It is also important to choose the vase itself correctly, “in size”: not too narrow so as not to squeeze the stems, but not too wide, otherwise the bouquet will fall apart.
Experienced flower growers recommend taking a vase with a neck diameter twice the circumference of the bouquet stems.
Then you can fill the vase with water, but so that it does not touch the leaves remaining on the stems. Ideally, the water should be settled, at a comfortable room temperature and always fresh; it should be changed every 2 days.
Another recipe for how to keep chrysanthemums in a vase longer is well known to all sellers of florist shops: a bouquet that you plan to give later is best stored in the refrigerator in a fresh zone, having first packed it completely in wet paper. You can properly preserve and protect plants from loss of moisture by wrapping the stems of each cut flower with paper or cloth soaked in salt water. So that the buds themselves do not lose their beautiful appearance for a long time and stand in the vase for a long time, they can be refreshed by spreading the petals and dripping a little stearin from a regular (not wax) candle directly into the center.
Flower processing
In order for chrysanthemums to last longer, you need to first look at the lower part of the stem of each flower. It must be cleaned and all damaged and dried leaves removed. Gardeners recommend removing even fresh green leaves, since they will sooner or later begin to rot in the water and quickly ruin the entire bouquet. It is also worth clarifying that green leaves will gradually draw in excess moisture. People can't see these parts of flowers through the vase anyway, so there's no point in leaving them.
Reanimation of fading chrysanthemums
How to keep cut chrysanthemums in a vase longer if you don’t want to part with a bouquet that reminds you of festive moments. In this case, you can give your cut flowers “shock therapy” and revive them by taking the following measures:
- Immerse the bouquet in a basin or bath of ice water.
- After a few minutes, immerse the stems in hot water.
- Trim off the rotten ends of the stems.
- Once again, “bathe” the cuttings in cold water.
- Place the bouquet in a vase with settled water at room temperature.
The peculiarity of bouquets of chrysanthemums is that they are often cut when they are already fully bloomed. For this reason, the period of stay of fresh chrysanthemums in water is much shorter than, for example, the same roses or tulips.
In order for chrysanthemums to last longer in a vase, you need to know how to choose the right places for a bouquet. It is necessary to take into account the following nuances: “queens of autumn” do not tolerate drafts well and do not like close proximity to fruits. In addition, they do not like the presence of other flowers in the same vase with them.
Useful tips
To make chrysanthemums last longer, it is recommended to make cross-shaped cuts on the bottom of the stems. This will allow the plants to absorb water much better and remain unchanged for 15 or even more days. It is best to leave the vase on the table, bedside tables or any other place where there are no serious drafts.
Chrysanthemums do not like fruits and berries, so it is recommended not to place a bouquet of flowers next to such natural decorations. It is also worth paying attention to one interesting recipe from florists. They use it very often. If a person purchases a bouquet that he plans to give as a gift in the future (for example, the next day he needs to go to a birthday or other festive event), then in this case the best solution would be to send the bouquet to the refrigerator. First, just wrap all the flowers in wet paper. This will keep the bouquet fresh and also protect the plants from excessive moisture loss.
What can you add to water for chrysanthemums?
Water for chrysanthemums must be clean, so it must be updated regularly, preventing stagnation and the development of putrefactive processes, and in order to prolong the life of chrysanthemums, experienced gardeners recommend adding one of the following products to it at each change of water:
- a ready-made preparation for extending the life of cut plants (they are sold in many florist shops), the most popular of them: Fairy, Bud;
- aspirin at the rate: one tablet for every 2 liters of water, the medicine must be completely dissolved, only after that can you put the bouquet in a vase;
- salt in the amount of 2 heaped teaspoons per 2 liters of water;
- granulated sugar - 2 tablespoons per 2 liters of water.
You can also revive chrysanthemums using a solution of lapis (an antiseptic prepared from silver nitrate) added to water. This product is able to revive cut chrysanthemums and “preserve” them in their original form, preventing them from withering for a whole month.
Chrysanthemums do not like direct sunlight and smoky rooms. Also, do not place a vase of flowers where the temperature is above 20˚C.
Salt and sugar
Another good way is to pour half a liter of clean water into a vase and add half a small spoon of fine salt (preference should be given to sea salt). As soon as its crystals dissolve, you can safely place the bouquet in the container.
To make chrysanthemums last longer, granulated sugar is added to the water. It is best to buy beet or cane. You need to add 25 grams of this component to the water and wait until the sand is completely dissolved. After this, you can put the flowers in the water. In this case, the bouquet will last much longer than in ordinary water.
How to grow a new flower from a cut chrysanthemum
Experienced flower growers know exactly the answer to the question “Is it possible to grow a chrysanthemum from a bouquet?” And this answer is: “Of course, yes!”, and this does not require much time and effort.
To grow a new flower from a cut flower, you first need to prepare the cuttings for their subsequent rooting. The best planting material is obtained from the freshest and strongest specimens. Their stems are cut into pieces about 5 cm long, with the lower cut made immediately below the internode, and the upper cut a few millimeters above the leaf with the bud.
How to grow a chrysanthemum from a cut plant if it has already begun to fade? For rooting, you can try to use side shoots; their stems have not yet become woody, so such shoots are easier to adapt to independent life.
The resulting cuttings are planted in prepared containers with soil, covered with glass or cut plastic bottles and placed in a shaded place. After 2-3 weeks, if the cuttings have taken root, they can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Before planting the cutting, you need to prepare a pot. It should be medium size. To provide the root system with good drainage, a layer of expanded clay or brick chips is poured onto the bottom, after which the container is filled with soil with nutritional supplements. Before rooting the cuttings into the ground, soak the soil with plenty of water at room temperature.
Young plants need to be placed in a warm, bright place, but so that they are not exposed to direct sunlight. Further care of the seedlings consists of regular moderate watering and periodic feeding with complex or special fertilizer. To avoid rotting of the root system, during the growing process it is important not to allow the soil to become waterlogged.
When making a bouquet of chrysanthemums, you should take into account that such flowers look better together with green branches. Plants and vase are selected according to the size and color of the inflorescences. Small-flowered chrysanthemums look picturesque with ferns in a wide vase. Leaves are also removed from them.
Strong, actively developing seedlings can be planted in the garden, choosing a place for them that is well-lit and protected from the wind. To ensure that the bushes branch well, they pinch the tops. They are cared for in the same way as when growing in pots; in addition, you only need to remove weeds from under the bushes in order to protect the plants from excess moisture and pest damage.
Chrysanthemum varieties for cutting
The varieties of spray chrysanthemum listed below are often used for making bouquets. They are mainly imported into stores from European countries with milder climates. In the middle zone, bouquet chrysanthemums can only grow in greenhouses. Only a few varieties take root in open ground.
- Chrysanthemum Veronica (Veronica) is a medium-sized (about 60 cm) terry variety with a bright and interesting color: in the center the petals are dark, pink or yellow, at the edges they are lighter, almost white with a dark border. Flower diameter is about 7 cm.
Chrysanthemum "Veronica" - Chrysanthemum Deco (Deco) is a compact, lushly flowering Korean variety, up to 50 cm high. Inflorescences about 7 cm in size are numerous, semi-double, with an open yellow core and tubular petals, deep orange on the inside and soft peach on the outside.
Chrysanthemum "Deco" - Ibis (chrysanthemum Ibis) is a tall (up to 1 m or more) chrysanthemum with lush foliage and double white or lemon pompom-shaped inflorescences up to 7 cm in diameter. The central petals are half-opened in a creamy-light green color.
Chrysanthemum "Ibis" - Chrysanthemum Cardinal (chrysanthemum Cardinal) is an incredibly beautiful variety with large, densely double 11-12 centimeter inflorescences. The densely growing petals are deep red. Bush height 65-70 cm.
Chrysanthemum "Cardinal" - Chrysanthemum Lollipop - compact, pompom-shaped, with dense foliage. The bushes grow up to 50-60 cm. The inflorescences, 4-7 cm in size, are distinguished by an unusual color: in the center the petals are deep pink or deep lilac, in the outer circles they are pale pink or pale lilac.
Chrysanthemum "Lolipop" - Mayfair (chrysanthemum Mayfair) is a spectacular chamomile chrysanthemum. The height of the Mayfair bush is up to 70 cm, the diameter of the daisies is 5-7 cm, the core is open, bright green, the petals are a soft lilac shade, rich in the center and lighter closer to the edges.
Chrysanthemum "Mayfire" - Chrysanthemum Macaron (chrysanthemum Macaron) is a medium-sized (about 70 cm) small-flowered, densely foliated variety. The inflorescences are terry baskets, up to 5 cm in size, the petals are light lilac, the leaves are emerald green.
Chrysanthemum "Macaron" - Marcato (spray chrysanthemum Marcato) is a chamomile cut variety. The length of the stems grows up to 70 cm. The inflorescences are 7 cm in diameter, with an open greenish-yellow core and bright red or deep pink petals.
Chrysanthemum "Marcato" - Memphis (chrysanthemum Memphis) is a semi-double chamomile chrysanthemum. The height of the bush is 70 cm. The inflorescences are 5-7 cm, with a greenish open core framed by two tiers of bright purple or pink petals.
Chrysanthemum "Memphis" - Chrysanthemum Merlot is a cutting hybrid with numerous chamomile-shaped inflorescences 4-7 cm in diameter. The yellow-green open convex core in two tiers is framed by wine-red petals. The bush grows up to 60 cm.
Chrysanthemum "Merlot" - Optimist (chrysanthemum Optimist) is an anemone-shaped chrysanthemum with semi-double small numerous 5 cm inflorescences. The length of the stems is 70 cm. The petals are pinkish-lilac, the centers are yellow.
Chrysanthemum "Optimist" - Pina Colada (chrysanthemum Pina colada) is a semi-double leafy chrysanthemum. The bushes grow 70 cm. The inflorescences are small, up to 5 cm, numerous, snow-white. The half-opened petals in the center are soft cream.
Chrysanthemum "Pina Colada" - Chrysanthemum Prada (chrysanthemum Prada) is a medium-sized (about 70 cm) chamomile-shaped, semi-double, with dense green foliage. The diameter of the daisies is approximately 7 cm. The color of the petals is rich lilac or salmon (Prada Coral), the core is yellow-green.
Chrysanthemum "Prada coral" - Rihanna (chrysanthemum Rihanna) is a chamomile chrysanthemum with an original color. The inflorescences, 5-6 cm in size, have a yellowish-green open core, framed in two tiers of lilac petals, a richer shade in the center and more delicate at the edges.
Chrysanthemum "Rihanna" - Serenity (chrysanthemum Serenity) is a medium-sized chamomile-shaped chrysanthemum. Light lilac petals lined with many vertical bright purple stripes grow in three tiers around a large greenish-yellow core. The height of the bush is approximately 70 cm, the size of the flower is 7 cm.
Chrysanthemum "Serenity"
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Caring for cut chrysanthemums is not difficult, and given all their diversity, we can say with confidence that every gardener can easily find a variety to their liking. If the necessary planting material cannot be purchased in the store, a viable cutting can always be obtained from a bouquet.
