Florist’s Daisies, or mums, bring vibrant color and diverse forms to gardens and floral arrangements, brightening autumn landscapes and providing stunning cut flowers.
What are Florist’s Daisies?
Florist’s Daisies (Chrysanthemum morifolium) are perennial herbaceous plants in the Asteraceae family. Also known as garden and cushion mums, they originated in China and East Asia and have been cultivated for centuries.
These plants grow 30 to 90 centimeters tall and wide, forming compact, clump-forming mounds. Their deeply lobed, dark green leaves can be up to 12 cm long. Composite flower heads of numerous small florets define Florist’s Daisies.
Growing and Caring for Florist’s Daisies
Successful cultivation of Florist’s Daisies requires attention to environmental factors and routine maintenance for healthy growth and abundant blooms.
Light Requirements
Florist’s Daisies thrive in full sun, needing at least six hours daily. Morning sun is ideal, with afternoon shade beneficial in hotter climates. Insufficient light leads to leggy, weak growth and reduced blooms.
Soil Preferences
Well-draining soil is important for Florist’s Daisies; soggy conditions lead to root rot. Ideal soil is rich in organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure, providing nutrients and improving drainage. They prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
Watering Needs
Consistent moisture benefits Florist’s Daisies, but avoid overwatering. Plants require about one inch of water per week, with deep watering once or twice weekly. Potted mums may need daily watering in warm weather. Water at the base to keep foliage dry and prevent disease.
Temperature and Humidity
Florist’s Daisies prefer moderate climates, with ideal daytime temperatures of 20-28°C and nighttime temperatures of 15-20°C. Prolonged high heat can cause stress and shorten their bloom cycle. High humidity with poor air circulation increases fungal disease risk.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season, Florist’s Daisies benefit from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer every four to six weeks. Once flower buds form, switch to a fertilizer with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus for more prolific blooming. Over-fertilizing with high-nitrogen formulas can lead to excessive foliage growth, not flowers.
Pruning and Deadheading
Pinching, removing growing tips, encourages bushier growth and abundant blooms. This is done in spring and early summer when shoots are about 15 cm tall, by removing the top 2-3 cm of each stem. Deadheading removes spent flowers, directing energy towards new buds and maintaining a tidy appearance.
Popular Types of Florist’s Daisies
Florist’s Daisies exhibit an impressive range of flower forms and colors, categorized into 13 distinct classifications by the National Chrysanthemum Society. These classifications describe the unique arrangement and shape of their florets.
Popular bloom forms include irregular incurve, reflex, regular incurve, decorative, pompon, and spider mums. Irregular incurves feature large, loosely incurving florets; reflex types have florets curving downward. Regular incurves create spherical blooms; decorative forms are flattened with short petals. Pompon types are small and globular; spider mums have long, tubular florets that may coil. Florist’s Daisies come in a wide spectrum of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, red, and orange.
Addressing Common Florist’s Daisy Problems
Despite their hardiness, Florist’s Daisies can encounter common issues: pests, diseases, and cultural challenges. Early identification and management are important for maintaining plant health and continuous blooms.
Pests
Common pests include aphids (distorted leaves), spider mites (stippled appearance, webbing), thrips (silvery streaks, deformed flowers), and leaf miners (tunnels). Caterpillars may feed on foliage and buds. A strong water stream can dislodge pests; horticultural soaps or neem oil are effective.
Diseases
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew appear as a whitish film on leaves and stems, exacerbated by high humidity and poor air circulation. Leaf spot diseases (Septoria) result in brown or yellowish spots, leading to premature leaf drop. Root rot is a common issue from overwatering or poorly draining soil, causing wilting and plant decline. Good air circulation, watering at the base, and proper soil drainage help prevent them.
Cultural Problems
Cultural problems can also affect Florist’s Daisies. Lack of blooms may stem from insufficient sunlight, excessive nitrogen, or waterlogged conditions. Leggy growth, characterized by tall, sparse stems, indicates inadequate light or lack of proper pinching. Adjusting light exposure, balanced fertilization, and appropriate watering and pruning schedules resolve these issues.