Chrysanthemum: A Divine Offering for Maa Brahmacharini on Navratri Day 2

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium / Dendranthema grandiflora) belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a popular commercial flower crop grown in different parts of the world. The name "Chrysanthemum" derives from the Greek words "chrysos," meaning “golden,” and "anthos," meaning “flower.” Commonly known as the Queen of the East, Autumn Queen, or Guldaudi, chrysanthemums are celebrated for their ornamental value and versatility.

Importance

Chrysanthemums are both a commercial crop and a popular exhibition flower. They are suitable for making garlands, veni, worship, planting in borders, and pot culture (pot mums). However, their production often involves significant use of inorganic fertilizers and plant protection chemicals.

Cultivation Process of Chrysanthemum

• Land Preparation: Chrysanthemum have a shallow but fibrous root system, making them sensitive to waterlogging and susceptible to diseases like root rot and wilt. To prepare the field, plough it 2-3 times and level it well.

• Climate: Chrysanthemum require long days and high temperatures (20°C to 28°C) for vegetative growth, while flowering requires short days with cooler temperatures (10°C to 28°C). High humidity (75-90%) is also crucial.

• Soil: Ideal soil for chrysanthemum is well-drained sandy loam with organic matter. The pH should range from 6.5 to 7.5. Proper land preparation includes 2-3 rounds of ploughing and incorporating farmyard manure.

• Propagation: Chrysanthemum can be propagated through suckers, terminal cuttings, or micropropagation. Terminal cuttings are treated with rooting hormone for optimal growth, and proper spacing (30 cm apart) is crucial to prevent overcrowding.

• Manures and Fertilizers: Chrysanthemum are heavy feeders and require adequate manuring. A basal dose of well-decomposed farmyard manure (8 tones per acre) should be applied at least 15 days before planting. The recommended NPK application is 40:20:40 kg per acre.

• Irrigation Practices: Irrigate chrysanthemum twice a week during the first two weeks and then at weekly intervals if using flood irrigation. Daily irrigation through a drip system can be followed based on the crop stage and daily evaporation.

• Intercultural Operations: Key practices include pinching, weeding, de-suckering, and staking.

Insect Management

• Grow resistant or tolerant chrysanthemum varieties to minimize pest incidence.

• Encourage the activity of predatory coccinellid beetles and parasitoids to manage aphids. Control aphids by spraying neem oil at 0.1% weekly when infestation starts. In severe cases, use dimethoate 30 EC or acephate 75 SP.

• For bud borer control, install pheromone traps and apply HaNPV followed by neem formulations. For severe infestations, use indoxocarb or thiodicarb.

• To manage leaf miners, remove weeds and cut heavily mined leaves. Spray with 5% neem seed powder extract or use abamectin or triazophos in severe cases.

Disease Management

• For rust, spray affected plants with wettable sulphur or propiconazole.

• Manage white rust by spraying with azoxystrobin or chlorothalonil.

• Control root rot by drenching with copper oxychloride or Bordeaux mixture. Mixing Trichoderma viridae and Pseudomonas fluorescens with FYM is also effective.

• For leaf spot and flower blight, use mancozeb at 2 g/l every 10-15 days.

• Control powdery mildew by spraying sulphur fungicides or tridemorph at 15-20 days intervals.

Use of Growth Regulators

Growth regulators can modify crop growth and flowering, improving flower quality and yield. A spray of 50 ppm GA3 at 30, 45, and 60 days after planting is recommended to enhance flower yield.

Harvesting and Post Handling

• Chrysanthemums typically flower about three to four months after planting. Harvesting should occur during cool hours.

• Fully opened flowers are plucked with or without the peduncle, while decorative types are harvested when the topmost flower's center petals are almost fully developed.

• Spray mums are harvested at two-thirds to three-fourths open stage, while pot mums are sent to market with half to fully opened flowers.

• Discard damaged or bruised flowers hygienically.

• Loose flowers for local markets are packed in clean bamboo baskets or gunny bags.

Market Price of Chrysanthemums

The average market price for chrysanthemums ranges from Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 per quintal. During the Navaratri season, prices can double depending on flower availability and local demand.

(Source: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research)

(Commodity Online - Chrysanthemum Prices)