Chrysanthemums, beautiful flowering plants that add a splash of color to any garden, can indeed be propagated through cuttings. While some plants thrive when their cuttings are placed directly in water, chrysanthemums prefer a different approach. Rooting chrysanthemum cuttings in water is not the most effective method, as they tend to rot easily in a water environment. Instead, chrysanthemums are best propagated through root suckers or terminal cuttings taken from the mother plants.
Root suckers are shoots that emerge from the base of the chrysanthemum plant. These suckers can be carefully separated from the mother plant with a sharp, clean knife or pruning shears. It’s important to ensure that each sucker has some roots attached, as this will increase its chances of successful rooting. Once separated, the suckers can be transplanted directly into well-draining soil and kept moist until they establish roots and begin to grow on their own.
Terminal cuttings, on the other hand, are taken from the tips of the chrysanthemum’s stems. These cuttings should be around 4-6 inches long and should include several sets of leaves. Remove any flowers or buds from the cutting, as this will redirect the plant’s energy towards root development rather than flowering. To encourage root growth, it’s recommended to dip the cut end of the stem in a rooting hormone powder.
After preparing the terminal cutting, it can be planted in a pot filled with a well-draining rooting medium, such as a mixture of perlite and peat moss. Make a hole in the medium to insert the cutting, ensuring that at least two sets of leaves are above the soil surface. Gently firm the medium around the cutting to provide support. Place the pot in a warm location with indirect sunlight, and mist the cutting regularly to maintain humidity.
It’s important to note that chrysanthemum cuttings require a moist but not waterlogged environment to root successfully. Waterlogged conditions can lead to rotting and the failure of the cutting to develop roots. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid rooting chrysanthemum cuttings in water, as this method tends to have a lower success rate.
In my personal experience as a gardening enthusiast, I have found that propagating chrysanthemums through root suckers or terminal cuttings taken from healthy mother plants has provided the best results. These methods allow the cuttings to establish a strong root system and ultimately develop into healthy, thriving plants. So, if you’re looking to expand your chrysanthemum collection or simply want to propagate these lovely flowers, I would recommend trying the root suckers or terminal cuttings approach rather than rooting them in water.
