Chrysanthemums are the quintessential autumn plant.
Their name comes from the Greek prefix “chrys-“, meaning gold, which was their original colour, and the second element “anthemion”, meaning flower.
After years of cultivation, chrysanthemums are now available in a wide range of colours. Bright yellow, orange, red, white, pink, fuchsia, lilac and dozens of other colour combinations in their blooms bring colour and life to our balconies during the autumn months.
As a plant, they symbolise optimism and joy.
Chrysanthemums come in varieties with single or double flowers, with open or folded petals, with blooms that resemble daisies and others that look like dahlias. They begin flowering in September and reach their peak at the end of October, which is why they are so closely associated with the feast day of St Demetrios.
• The right time to buy them is mid-September. You can choose the variety that suits you by consulting the labels that plants often carry in garden centres, or by asking a member of staff. It is worth knowing that what you see is what you will get in terms of the plant’s growth. Don’t expect it to grow much larger, so buy the biggest one you can find.
• When you bring them home, place them in a well-lit spot, sheltered from wind and rain. Especially in the period before flowering, chrysanthemums need direct sunlight.
Once they have started to flower, it is advisable to move them to a shadier spot.
• Be careful when watering. Because the roots can easily rot, water the pots only when the soil on the surface begins to dry out. The soil should be moist, but never wet.
• To stop the stems from snapping under the weight of the flowers, you can tie them up with a piece of string.
• Look after them by cutting off the blooms that have already opened and matured, which helps the chrysanthemums keep flowering until early November.
Did you know…
Chrysanthemum blooms can last in a vase of water for more than a week? If you strip the leaves from the part of the stem that sits in the water and change the water at least every two days, you can have a bouquet in full bloom decorating the inside of your home!
Text: Natasa Lianopoulou
