Chrysanthemum keeled (lat. Chrysanthemum carinatum) is an annual flowering plant, often found in flower beds of the middle lane. The natural habitat is the northwestern part of Africa. This culture became widespread in many countries at the end of the 18th century.
Description
Chrysanthemum keeled – a plant with straight, strongly branching, slightly fleecy stems. Reaches 60 – 70 cm in height. Leaf plates are linear, fleshy, with a smooth surface, bright green or gray-green color. Inflorescences – large baskets, enclosed in bunches of 3 – 4 pieces, combine three shades. Develop on side shoots. The diameter of the baskets is 6 – 8 cm. Flowering occurs at the end of June, lasts until the beginning of September. The fruits are capsules with flying seeds.
This plant has high frost resistance, tolerates sudden changes in temperature. To date, there are many beautiful varieties with bright colorful baskets. Some of them have terry inflorescences, very lush.
Varieties
Among the most popular varieties, those that have large baskets can be grown in the conditions of southern latitudes and central Russia.
Description and photo of the keeled chrysanthemum of the most popular varieties:
“Masquerade” is one of the most spectacular varieties with inflorescences that combine white, pale cream, lemon yellow, lilac, purple, brown colors.
“Cockade” – has baskets with a diameter of 8 cm. The color palette is limited to white, red, yellow, terracotta shades.
“Atrokocenium” – valued for large burgundy flowers.
“Bright Eye” – has snow-white petals, in the central part of which there is a burgundy and yellow ring. Violet core.
“Dunetti” is a terry variety with petals of light pink, white, pale yellow, brown, red, burgundy.
“Eastern Star” – characterized by intense yellow petals and a dark brown center.
“Nordstern” – a variety with snow-white inflorescences, in the central part of which there is a bright yellow ring.
“Grace” – baskets with yellow petals, burgundy ring and brown core.
“Rainbow” – combines red, copper, brown, bright yellow, white, burgundy tones.
“Rainbow” – a bright expressive variety with colorful baskets. Includes red, pink, yellow, brown, white shades.
Next, you will learn at what distance to plant a keeled chrysanthemum and how to care for the plant after planting the seeds.
Reproduction by seeds
This culture is propagated by seed method. Sowing material is immediately planted on the site, or in containers for seedlings. When planting seeds in open ground, the site is preliminarily prepared, dug up, and organic fertilizer is applied.
The place for sowing should be closed from drafts and gusty winds. For this, areas along fences and outbuildings are suitable.
When choosing a site for growing this spectacular flower, it should be borne in mind that it cannot grow without sunlight, so the place must be open. Light hills are also suitable for this culture.
Sowing seeds in open ground is carried out in the second half of May. In the ridges, holes are made 2 cm deep at a distance of 20 cm. 2-4 seeds are laid in each hole, sprinkled with a layer of earth. Crops are covered with a film, which is removed only after the sprouts hatch.
Plants that have grown up to 2 cm are thinned out, after a couple of weeks a mineral complex is added for flowering crops.
Strengthened seedlings 10 – 15 cm high are transplanted to a permanent place in the garden. It is noticed that young specimens quickly take root in a new place.
Growing seedlings
When growing seedlings of keeled chrysanthemum, shallow containers are used for sowing seeds, which are filled with a soil mixture prepared from leafy soil, humus, peat and sand.
The components are taken in the ratio 1:2:2:1/2. The seed material is buried in the substrate by 1 cm, sprayed from the sprayer. Crops are covered with polyethylene, kept at a temperature of 20 – 23 degrees in a bright room. Sprouts will appear in a week or a little later.
The film is removed, young plants are moderately watered until picking, which is carried out a month after their appearance. After picking, the seedlings continue to be watered, top dressing is applied once every 7 to 10 days.
Planting seedlings in open ground is carried out in the last week of May. Plants are placed in the hole along with an earthen clod. After planting, watering is carried out, the soil around the bushes is mulched with peat or sawdust.
Care
Chrysanthemum keeled, despite the luxurious buds, is an unpretentious plant to growing conditions. Even a novice grower can handle caring for her. It is important not to forget about the flower, to perform a number of simple procedures.
- Watering. This culture prefers moderate watering, but prolonged drying of the earth negatively affects its well-being. It is especially important to keep the soil moist during intensive growth and flowering. Mulch from dry foliage, pine needles, sawdust, peat helps to linger moisture in the soil longer. In addition, covering the area near the plant with mulch can minimize the growth of weeds. Do not be zealous with water procedures, since the chrysanthemum does not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil. After watering, loosen the soil near the plant from time to time to prevent the formation of a dense crust.
- Topdressing. As a top dressing for this crop, mineral compositions for flowering plants containing potassium and phosphorus are suitable. During the growing season, top dressing is applied every month with an interval of 14 to 20 days. This flower responds well to mullein. Fertilization must be combined with watering, otherwise you can burn the root system, but water should be poured so that it does not get on the leaves and buds.
- Pruning. In order for the bushes to be lush and abundantly form inflorescences, pruning is indispensable. In the process, pinch the tops of the stems. Removing faded buds activates intensive and long flowering, since the plant does not have to waste energy and nutrients. So you can achieve flowering until the frost.
Disease and pest control
Like other types of chrysanthemums, the keeled chrysanthemum is rarely affected by pests and diseases. Improper care can weaken her immunity. Among the common flower diseases are the following:
- Powdery mildew is a fungal disease in which parts of plants are covered with a white coating. It provokes the occurrence of excess moisture in the soil, caused by prolonged rains and excessive watering.
- Gray rot is a disease in which the root system is first affected (rots), and then the entire plant. Its development is facilitated by frequent watering;
- Septoriais a common fungal disease that affects leaves. Light spots with a dark border are formed on their surface. Gradually, the spots grow and can occupy the entire area of the foliage. Over time, the affected leaves dry up and fall off.
Fungicides will help to cope with these diseases. For example, the drug “Topaz”, “Alirin”, “Oxyhom” and others. After 10 – 14 days, you will need to re-treat.
Among the pests of this culture are slugs, snails, nematodes, spider mites, weevils. Gastropods can be collected manually, in the presence of other insects, use the acaricides “Fufanon”, “Fitoverm”, “Neoron”.
Also, one of the main pests of this flower is aphids, which quite often settle on its leaves and stems and suck out the juice of the plant.
If timely measures are not taken to eliminate it, the bush will lose its attractiveness and gradually wither away. This insect is washed off with water or soapy water, after which the flower must be washed with clean water from a watering can.
Applying
Chrysanthemum keeled is widely used in garden landscape design, as it is a flowering plant that can easily transform any nondescript corner of the site, decorate a flower bed, and add bright colors to a flower garden.
This flower looks equally luxurious in single plantings and in groups. Having planted a flower on the lawn, you can dilute its monotony by adding a colored spot.
This culture is used for a variety of purposes: to create a mixborder, rockery, rock garden, discounts. Undersized varieties decorate borders, planted in containers for decorating loggias, balconies, terraces.
As partners of this flower, zinnias, asters, coleus, salvia, bells, snapdragons, petunia, cineraria, marigolds, cosmos, irises and other colorful plants are suitable. This variety of chrysanthemum with ornamental flowering shrubs looks quite interesting.
These photos show how the keeled chrysanthemum is used in the design of flower beds and the creation of flower arrangements:
Also, this plant is used to make dry bouquets. It is pre-dried in a ventilated room and placed in a bouquet. Dry compositions look very unusual and retain their decorative effect for a long time.