Content of the article:
When growing chrysanthemums from seeds, their varietal characteristics are often lost. The most reliable way of reproduction of valuable varieties in large quantities is cutting. This method is a type of vegetative propagation. Korean chrysanthemum, popular in recent years, is sometimes propagated by dividing a bush. The percentage of its reproduction is quite low. The cuttings of chrysanthemums of this species rooted easily and retain all the specific features of the original plant. Thanks to this method, you can quickly multiply any interesting variety.
"Early" cuttings are those that are grown in the winter( January-February) with a short light day. They take root for 1 month."Late" cuttings obtained in April-May form roots in 1-2 weeks.
Features of chrysanthemum reproduction by cuttings
The rooting of cuttings and the growth of these flowers have certain features:
- small-flowered plants take root much faster than large-flowered;
- varieties, in which the fleshy and thick shoots rooted much worse;
- plants of the same variety when grown from “early” and “late” cuttings enter the flowering period almost simultaneously;
- term grafting strongly affects only the size of the plant( from the "early" shoots grow very tall stems).
How to propagate chrysanthemum cuttings?
The chrysanthemum breeding process starts with a selection of the best of its kind adult plants called queen cells.
In the autumn, choose healthy bushes with perfect buds. There should be no signs of disease or pests on them. At the end of flowering, the queen cells are added in greenhouses or transplanted into boxes. Chrysanthemum bushes are left in a cool place, protected from excess moisture. For their storage are suitable closed terraces, verandas or light sheds. The place of storage of queen cells depends on the level of winter temperature. Ideal conditions for the period of physiological rest chrysanthemums is in the range of 3-5 ° C.The main rule of their successful preservation is that these flowers should not be at a temperature of less than 1 ° C.
To obtain young plants with an excellent level of flowering, it is necessary to produce vernalization of mother plants. For this plant for 3-4 weeks are in rooms with a temperature of 1-4 ° C.The absence of such a procedure often leads to the fact that some varieties of chrysanthemums do not bloom.
To obtain good planting material, uterine plants are transferred to a warm, lighted room and watered regularly. After a few days, renewal buds awaken on their roots. At the same time, root growth begins to grow from the queen cell. The effectiveness of grafting entirely depends on the amount of new growth. To obtain a sufficient number of plants, the queen cells begin to be prepared for grafting in February. Most often, this procedure is performed in early spring.
Only the growth that grows from the root is suitable for cuttings. That is why any "hemp", which is a woody stalks of a flower should be cut off. Since the development of root shoots is often uneven, with a small number of queen cells, it is difficult to get young of the same age. To solve this problem, cut cuttings are stored in wet sawdust in the refrigerator( on the bottom shelf) for about 2 weeks. Upon receipt of a sufficient number of cuttings begin their rooting.
How to cutting chrysanthemums?
Root growth is cut with a sharp knife under the leaf node, when 2-3 internodes form on it. The resulting cuttings are planted in boxes or low pots with a fertile substrate with a neutral reaction. It is prepared from fertile soil, humus and sand, taken in a ratio of 2: 1: 0.5.The thickness of the substrate should be 3-4 cm. The calcined sand is poured on top of it. Its layer should be 2-2.5 cm. You can also use a mixture of perlite and coarse sand in a 1: 1 ratio. This substrate has a high water capacity and breathability.
For quick rooting of the cuttings, they are treated with a root formation stimulator solution. To do this, use the drug "Kornevin" or alpha naphthylacetic acid( NAA).
Cuttings are embedded in the substrate to a depth of 2.5-3 cm. The optimum temperature for rooting cuttings is 18-20 ° C.In the room used for rooting cuttings, it is necessary to maintain an optimal microclimate. To this end, a “dome” is made of a plastic film over the container, which provides the necessary humidity.
Cultivation
Care of cuttings is their daily spraying and regular watering. On the successful rooting shows the appearance of growth on the shoot. Plants can be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer. About 1 month after the beginning of the rooting of the cuttings, the root system develops on them. After it becomes powerful enough, new plants are planted in open ground. Most often this occurs in May and June.
In the case when rooted shoots cannot be planted in open ground due to the possibility of frost, they are kept in rooms with an air temperature of 8-10 ° C.Under such conditions, the “overgrowth” of the cuttings will be prevented. They are planted in a permanent place only after there is no threat of spring frosts. If rooting of cuttings is not planned immediately after cutting, they are placed in a container with water.
Large-flowered chrysanthemum cuttings are carried out from January to April, and small-flowered - from February to the end of May. Reproduction of chrysanthemums in the fall suggests planting rooted cuttings in late May and early summer. In this case, the early flowering of the young bush will be next year.
