PROPAGATION

Like many garden perennials, hardy chrysanthemums benefit from being divided every few years. This is best done in late spring and helps to reduce overcrowding, reinvigorating the plant and providing you with a few extra plants. However, an equally easy propagation method, and one that produces far more plants, is by cuttings. Cuttings can be taken in the late spring and early summer, and are best taken in the morning before the heat of the day and when the shoots are turgid.

1 Using a clean and sharp knife select a shoot that is around 5cm long. Here it’s been taken from the base, but you can also take one from, higher on the plant. These cutting should be taken from typical, healthy growth and should be placed in water to prevent them from drying out.

2 Immediately remove the lower leaves to reduce transpiration (the evaporation of water from plant leaves).

3 Once the cuttings have been safely brought into the potting shed or glasshouse they can be neatened up and stems shortened.

4 Ensure the stem cutting is clean with no ragged edges or tears, which may risk rot entering and any larger remaining leaves can be cut in half to further reduce transpriation.

5 Trimmed cuttings should be inserted around the edge of a terracotta pot filled with a free-draining cutting compost. The terracotta is breathable and allows for more oxygen to reach the active site of rooting.

6 A plastic bag is an effective and inexpensive way to maintain humidity. Once the cuttings have been well watered – using a fine rose, so as to not disturb the cuttings – place the bag over the pot. It is important that the leaves do not touch the inside of the bag as condensation will increase the risk of rot and grey mould.