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Needle chrysanthemums are named for the extraordinary shape of the petals. Elongated and narrow, they are rolled into tubes, pointed at the end, like needles. When looking at the flowers, one gets the impression that they are protecting themselves from the outside world. This opinion is not far from the truth, since many varieties staunchly resist disease and frost. Without additional shelter, they can winter outdoors in many regions.
Description of needle chrysanthemums
Needle-shaped, or radial chrysanthemums have a characteristic feature: ligulate flowers with long, curled petals. In hybrids bred by the method of selection, there are bifurcated and non-twisted tongues.
This type of chrysanthemum is distinguished by a variety of petal colors. Large inflorescences with a diameter of 8-10 cm and more can be red, white and milky, yellow, orange, various shades of pink, raspberry. Recently, breeders have managed to get hybrids with greenish petals. In addition, the “needles” can be painted in different shades from the inside and outside.
In flower shops, there are needle-shaped chrysanthemums of blue shades. The petals acquire such tones after being kept in special solutions with dyes. In fact, the flowers are white. To recognize them, it is enough to pay attention to the colors of the leaves and stems, they also acquire a bluish tint.
Needle chrysanthemum varieties
There are many varieties of needle chrysanthemums with various sizes and shades of inflorescences. With their help, you can create amazing summer and autumn flower beds.
Squirrel (Squirrel)
Variety Chrysanthemum Sciurus, the name translates as "squirrel", are medium-sized plants with a stem length of up to 60 cm and rich green abundant foliage. The bushes form beautiful spherical crowns. The shade of the petals is apricot. The size of the inflorescences is large, about 12 cm. They bloom in early autumn. Flowering lasts until the first cold weather. Chrysanthemum winters outdoors.
Chrysanthemum variety Belochka prefers well-lit flower beds
Splashes of champagne
Campanie Imbre, or Spray of Champagne, is a variety with varied, delicate inflorescence shades, from golden to light pink. Hence the unusual name of this variety. The central part of the inflorescences is colored in a more saturated shade than the edges of the needle petals. The bushes reach 70 cm in height, have light green elongated leaves.
Chrysanthemum Splashes of Champagne blooms in October
Vesuvius
Chrysanthemum Vesuvius is a medium-sized variety with bright green, abundant foliage and medium-sized flowers. Their diameter does not exceed 7 cm. The petals are tubular. They are elongated at the edges. Visually, this shape resembles a volcanic eruption. The first inflorescences bloom on Vesuvius in September. Their natural color is white. But on sale there are specimens with green, blue and even black petals. Such plants are treated with special dyes.
One of the advantages of the Vesuvius variety is the ability to maintain its appearance for a long time in water, after cutting
Linda
Linda is a compact plant with large flowers. Chrysanthemums with a diameter of 10 cm bloom on the bushes. This occurs in mid-August.A variety with a straight stem and a developed root system, which does not need pinching, can branch on its own. Gardeners appreciate the Linda variety for the delicate color of the needle-like petals. They come in several shades: cold white and lilac pink.
Flowering lasts a long time, until the end of autumn
Mirage
The Korean variety Mirage, or Chrysanthemum Imago, is a tall plant up to 1 m high, covered with dark green foliage, with a strong, straight stem. The highlight of the Mirage chrysanthemums is their flowers, similar to gorgeous crimson stars. The diameter of the inflorescences is very large, about 15 cm. The needle-like tubular petals, located at the edges, are longer than the central ones, bent inward. "Stars" bloom on tall bushes in the middle of autumn.
Chrysanthemums are good at cutting
Perlinka
Chrysanthemum Perlinka is a representative of the group of medium-sized varieties. Differs in abundant branching. Doesn't need shaping. Perlinka has double flowers. The length of the tubular petals, pointed at the ends, is about 5 cm. The colors are varied, from dark crimson to snow-white.
The dignity of the variety is lush, abundant flowering, it begins in mid-September and lasts until the end of autumn
Planting and caring for needle chrysanthemums
Needle chrysanthemums can be grown outdoors and in greenhouse conditions. The optimum temperature for the abundant and long-lasting flowering of the "queen of autumn" is up to +14 degrees. When it sinks lower, the plants droop and wilt.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Plants feel uncomfortable in the shade, with stagnant moisture. The place for them should be located on an elevated, well-lit area of the garden. The preferred soil is loose, moisture-permeable, neutral or slightly acidic, saturated with nutrients.
You cannot overdo it with fertilizers, otherwise the growth of green mass will go to the detriment of flowering.
Landing rules
When landing, they are guided by the following rules:
- Wells are prepared with a depth of 30-40 cm.
- Moisturize the soil abundantly.
- At the bottom of each hole I pour drainage and a little vermicompost.
- Placed in the holes of the plant, sprinkle in such a way as not to deeply deepen the root system. It develops parallel to the soil layer.
When planting tall varieties of chrysanthemums, it is important to provide support
A few days after planting, chrysanthemums need protection from direct sunlight. They are shaded with nonwovens.
If the variety does not branch on its own, then immediately after planting, the plants are pinched, removing the growth points. After 3 weeks, re-pinching is carried out, part of the shoot with several nodes is cut off.
Watering and feeding
To protect the root system of chrysanthemums from rot, they should be watered sparingly. An exception should be made in hot, dry weather. On such days, do not spare the water, otherwise the stems of the plants will become stiff, the lush inflorescences will lose their decorative appearance. For irrigation, rain or settled water is suitable.
As a top dressing, it is enough to add mullein infusion. Fertilizer is diluted with water at the rate of 1 liter per bucket of liquid. Before buds are formed on the chrysanthemums, it is useful to use phosphorus and potassium compounds. From time to time, you can add nitrogen fertilizers, they help the plant to build up green mass.
Solutions must be poured at the root so that the aerial parts of the needle chrysanthemums do not get burned
Reproduction of needle chrysanthemums
Needle chrysanthemums are propagated using cuttings. They are planted in the ground with the onset of summer. During the growing season, they have time to take root. In autumn, young plants are planted in a permanent place.
Diseases and pests of needle chrysanthemums
The main enemies of the needle chrysanthemum are leaf rollers, ticks, aphids, and snails. But the most dangerous among them are caterpillars. One individual per day can damage several inflorescences. Preparations Aktara, Fitoverm help to fight insect pests.
To protect against diseases, it is recommended to treat the flowers with special agents, for example, Previkur, after each rain. And as a prophylaxis for root rot, which chrysanthemums often suffer from, you can use Fitosporin.
Conclusion
Needle chrysanthemums are one of the most original and vibrant inhabitants of city flower beds and summer cottages. Their flowering adorns the gardens until late autumn. No wonder this flower has been grown for more than 3 millennia, and interest in it is only growing.
