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🌸 Chrysanthemum

Learn chrysanthemum cultivation, including classification, photoperiod response, propagation, cultural operations, and harvest handling.

Chrysanthemum is a high-value ornamental crop used for loose flowers, garlands, pot culture, and cut flower trade. This lesson consolidates classification, climate response, cultural operations, and postharvest points needed for exams.

Identity, Origin, and Uses

Scientific name: Dendranthema grandiflora Family: Asteraceae Hindi name: Guldaudi

It is one of the oldest cultivated ornamentals and is commercially important in India and globally. It is grown for:

  • Exhibition flowers (large-flowered types)
  • Loose flowers and garlands (small-flowered types)
  • Cut flower stems and floral arrangements
  • Pot and bedding purposes

Area, Distribution, and Botanical Traits

Major global production is concentrated in countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the USA, largely under protected conditions. In India it is widely cultivated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Botanical points:

  • Herbaceous perennial with shallow fibrous roots.
  • Plant height generally around 50 to 150 cm.
  • Leaves are lobed; flower heads occur in diverse forms and colors.

Climate, Soil, and Photoperiod

Chrysanthemum is a photoperiod-sensitive crop:

  • Long day promotes vegetative growth.
  • Short day induces flowering.

Preferred conditions:

  • Mild temperature around 15 to 25°C.
  • Relative humidity around 70 to 90%.
  • Well-drained sandy loam with good organic matter and pH around 6.5.

Varieties and Classification

Important cultivated selections include white, yellow, pink, red-purple, pompon, Korean, anemone, and decorative types.

Commonly cited varieties/hybrids:

  • Kirti
  • Arka Swarna
  • Birbal Sahni
  • Shanti
  • Y2K
  • Arka Ganga
  • Sadbhavana
  • Appu
  • Bindiya
  • Coimbatore types (CO 1, CO 2, MDU 1)
  • Pankaj

Cut chrysanthemum lines also include Ajay, Sonali, Swarna, Ravi Kiran, and others.

Propagation, Planting, and Crop Establishment

Propagation methods:

  • Suckers
  • Terminal cuttings
  • Micropropagation

Key establishment points:

  • Rooted suckers/cuttings are transplanted at suitable spacing.
  • Pinching is done after establishment to induce branching.
  • Typical field spacing for loose flower crop is around 30 x 30 cm.

For cut chrysanthemum under protected cultivation:

  • Close spacing is practiced with bed systems.
  • Trained and graded stems are harvested to market standards.

Nutrient, Irrigation, and Weed Management

General recommendations:

  • Good basal FYM incorporation.
  • NPK supply through basal and split doses depending on production goal.
  • In some systems, GA3 foliar sprays are used to improve flower output.

Irrigation:

  • Frequency depends on growth stage, soil, and weather.
  • Waterlogging must be avoided.

Weed management:

  • Early hand weeding plus field sanitation.
  • Herbicide support may be used where recommended.

Critical Cultural Operations

Pinching

Removal of terminal soft shoot tips to promote lateral branches and increase flowering shoots.

Disbudding and de-shooting

  • Standard type: retain central bud and remove side buds for bigger blooms.
  • Spray type: remove central bud when needed to improve spray quality.

Staking

Provides support and maintains stem straightness and market quality.

Light management

Growth phase Photoperiod target
Vegetative phase Long day (about 13 h light)
Flower induction and development Short day (about 10 h light)

Harvest and Postharvest Handling

Harvest stage depends on market use:

  • Standard blooms: cut when center is developed and petals expanded appropriately.
  • Spray types: harvest when central bloom is open and side blooms are developed.

Postharvest points:

  • Immediate hydration in clean water/preservative solution.
  • Grading by stem length, flower diameter, and quality.
  • Sleeve and pack in boxes/buckets for transport.
  • Cold handling extends vase life.

Plant Protection

Major pests:

  • Aphids
  • Mites
  • Thrips

Major diseases:

  • Wilt complex
  • Foliar blights and other fungal spots

Management relies on clean planting material, crop sanitation, and locally recommended spray schedules.

Summary Cheat Sheet

Topic Key exam point
Photoperiod response Long day for vegetative growth; short day for flowering
Main propagation Suckers and terminal cuttings
Essential operation Pinching for branching
Cut flower quality Staking + correct harvest stage + hydration
Soil Well-drained sandy loam, near pH 6.5
Main markets Loose flower, garland, cut flower, pot culture

References

2 sources • [1] [2]

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