Cultivation of Chrysanthemum in India; A Complete Information Guide

December 20, 2020 Agrovista

Chrysanthemum, commonly known as Guldaudi or Autumn Queen, belongs to the family Compositae. It is believed to have originated in China and is considered one of the most ancient cultivated ornamental crops of the world. Later, it became very popular in Japan due to remarkable cultural and varietal changes and is regarded as a symbol of royalty.

In India, chrysanthemum has been recognized as one of the five most important commercial and ornamental crops. It is grown for loose flowers for garlands, Veni, cut flowers, and for purposes of the exhibition as well as garden decoration.

It is being extensively grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and M.P. in an area of more than 4000 hectares, and about 24,000 tons of flowers are sold every year.

Some Common Names of Chrysanthemum:

Table of Contents

In different states of India, it is grown with different names:

Guldaudi in the Hindi belt,

Chandramalika, in the eastern state,

Samanti in the southern states,

Shevanti in the western states.

Classification of Chrysanthemum:

According to the habit of growth

Cultivation of Chrysanthemum in India ; A Complete Information Guide

1 Annual Chrysomhemum; It has three species, namely- Chrysanthemum carinatum (In colored chrysanthemum), C.Coronarium Crown daisy or garland Chrysanthemum and C. segetum corn marigold), Plant is tall with a single flower
2. Perennial It also consists of three species namely C. maximum, C.frutescence and C morifolium It produces a most attractive single flower,semi-double and double flowers of different kind and form,
According to the shape of Bloom

Based upon the size of flowers, chrysanthemum varieties may be classified into two groups, ie, large-flowered and small-flowered. Large-flowered is further divided into-Incurved (globular shape), Reflexes (with drooping florets), Intermediate (Outer ray florets curve outward and downward while inner florets are incurved); Irregular (ray florets twisted and tossed irregularly). Quilled (ray florets are tubular)

Spon (end of ray florets like a spatula), Ballor Rayonnate (like a perfect ball), Anemone single petals with a tubular central disc), Likewise, small-flowered groups are divided into – Anemone, Button Korean (single and double), Decorative, Pompon, Quilled, Semi-quilled and stellate types

Soil and Climatic Requirements for Chrysanthemum Cultivation

Well-drained sandy loamy soils with a high organic content are the best for chrysanthemum cultivation. The ideal pH range for its cultivation should be between 6-7.

Chrysanthemum is a short-day plant; hence, planting should be done so that flowering coincides with the short-day conditions. It can be cultivated under tropical and subtropical conditions The ideal temperature for its vegetative growth is between 20 -28 degrees Celsius and for bud formation, the temperature range should be between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius

Varieties of Chrysanthemum;

A. Large-flowered. Kasturba Gandhi (White), Chandrama (Yellow), Mahatma Gandhi (Manve), Meera (Manure), Tamra & Arun (Red).
B. Small-flowered, Sharad Mukta, Sharad Tanka, Sharad Mala (White), Sharad Bahar, Sharad Prabha (Mauve), Kao (Red).arad Prabha (Mauve), Rakhee, Arun Singar, Suhag Singer

Propagation of Chrysanthemum

It is multiplied both by vegetative and sexual methods. The latter method is practiced by the breeder for the evolution of new varieties. Seed propagation is also done for the annual chrysanthemum. The vegetative method is preferred for neat and sturdy plants.

Vegetative propagation includes root suckers, cuttings, and micropropagation.

Profuse suckering takes place about a month after flowering is over. Root suckers are separated in February-March when they are 10-15 cm high and planted in pots or beds. Cuttings are taken from stock plants in June. Cuttings of 4-6 cm long with a diameter of 3-105 mm are treated with a fungicidal solution to avoid rotting.

Seradix B-1 or 2.200 ppm TBA may be used for better rooting. It takes about a month to produce roots. Specialised propagators in many countries resort to mass production of virus-free cuttings by tissue culture for commercial purposes

Planting of Chrysanthemum

Suckers may be planted on ridges at a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm in beds of different shapes and sizes for higher flower yield.( The time of planting depends on the region and ranges from March to August.

For growing in pots, three potting should be done. First potting is done Feb-March in 10 cm pots, consisting of one part each of sand, soil, and leaf mould. The second pasting is done in the last week of April in 15-cm pots, consisting of one part soil, one part sand, two parts leaf mould, one tablespoonful of superphosphate, and 1/4 part of wood ashes. The third and final potting is done in August and September in 30cm. pots, consisting of one part sand, one part soil, two-part soil, two parts leaf mould, two parts cow dung manure, two tablespoonfuls superphosphate, and 1/4th of each charcoal and wood ashes.

Manuring in Chrysanthemum

A dose of 40 g nitrogen, 20 g phosphorus, and 20 g potash per sq. meter area has been found for better yield. Half the dose of nitrogen and full doses of P and K should be applied at the time of planting, and the remaining half dose of nitrogen after one month of planting.

Micronutrition;

To fulfill the nutritional requirement, application of the ZnSO4 0.25% and MgSO4 05% is recommended as a foliar spray.

Bio-Fertilizers;

Apply 0.5 kg each of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria per acre at the time of planting as a soil application and It should be mixed with 100 kg of FYM and applied

Growth Regulators;

The application of GA3 at 50 PPM at intervals of 30–45–60 days of planting is recommended.

Growth Regulation in Chrysanthemum:

A. Physical Methods
1. Disbudding. It is a process of removing an extra number of flower buds. It is practiced to reduce the number of flowers and to obtain better-quality blooms. No disbudding is done in Korean, pompon, and singles.
2. Pinching. Removal of the terminal portion is called pinching. Its objective is to encourage side branches, reduce the height, and delay flowering.
3. Dis-shooting. It is a process of removing unwanted branches. Its objective is to reduce the number of branches and the number of flowers, as well as to improve the quality of blooms.
4. Staking. Providing support to the plant or branches is known as staking. It allows the plant to grow in the proper direction.
B. Chemical Methods
Reducing the growth through chemicals like B-Nine, Phosphon, and CCC is feasible when sprayed or soil drenched. Pinching by chemicals like Emgard 2077 and offshoot ‘O’ is reported to be successful.
C. Cultural Methods
Plant height may be increased by early planting, maintaining soil moisture, and planting in bigger pots. Manipulation of day length and temperature at various stages of plant growth is being done to get flowering at the desired period.

Pests and Diseases of Chrysanthemum

Aphids, thrips, and leaf-eating caterpillars can be controlled by spraying Acetamiprid at 0.3 g/l or Indoxacarb @ 1 ml/l.

For leaf folder control, spray 0.02% Cypermethrin or 0.02% Decamethrin or 0.05% Quinolophos at a fortnightly interval.

Powdery mildew can be controlled by Karathane 0.2% spray.

Black leaf spot disease appears on leaves that turn yellow and die. Spraying of Dithane M-45 @ 0.2% is effective

Harvesting of Chrysanthemum;

The crop duration of the chrysanthemum crop is about 6–8 months, while for the ratoon crop, it takes around 4 months.

Harvesting of the flowers starts from the 3rd month onwards at 4-day intervals. Harvesting is done at 3/4 to the full open stage for nearby markets and 1/2 open stage for distant markets. 13-15 picking can be done in the chrysanthemum field.