Greetings, dedicated cultivator. We, the Chrysanthemums, appreciate your desire to provide us with the sustenance we need to thrive. To achieve our full potential—vibrant foliage, strong stems, and an abundance of breathtaking blooms—we require a specific nutritional strategy. Please follow this guide from our perspective.
Like all plants, our primary sustenance comes from photosynthesis. However, the soil's nutrient bank is our grocery store for essential elements we cannot create ourselves. We crave a balanced diet, primarily Nitrogen (N) for vigorous green leaf and stem growth, Phosphorus (P) for strong root development and prolific blooming, and Potassium (K) for overall plant health and disease resistance. A deficiency leaves us weak and pale, while an excess can burn our roots or force overly lush growth at the expense of flowers.
Before you even place us in the ground or a pot, please prepare our bed. We adore well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Working a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure into the soil provides a gentle, slow-release foundation of nutrients. This organic matter also improves soil texture, allowing our roots to breathe and access water and nutrients efficiently. For an extra boost, you can mix in a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer with a formulation like 5-10-5 or 4-6-4. This gives us a steady supply of food right from the start.
In our early growth phase, after we are established, our primary goal is to build a robust framework of leaves and stems. This is the time we are most hungry for Nitrogen. Approximately one month after planting, begin feeding us with a water-soluble fertilizer higher in Nitrogen (e.g., a 15-5-15 formula) every two to three weeks. This consistent feeding supports the rapid development of our lush, green canopy, which is the engine that will power our future flower production.
As the days begin to shorten in late summer, we receive our natural signal to start forming flower buds. This is a critical juncture where your fertilizing strategy must change. You must stop giving us high-Nitrogen food. Too much Nitrogen now will direct our energy into continuing leaf production instead of flowering. Shift to a fertilizer blend higher in Phosphorus and Potassium, such as a 5-10-10 or 0-10-10 formula. This "bloom booster" encourages us to set a profusion of buds and develop strong, colorful flowers.
Once our spectacular floral display has finished and the first hard frost arrives, our growth cycle completes. We begin to enter dormancy, a period of rest where our metabolic processes slow dramatically. Applying fertilizer during this time is not only wasteful but can be harmful. The salts in fertilizer can damage our vulnerable roots and may stimulate tender new growth that will be immediately killed by the cold. Please allow us to rest. A layer of mulch over our roots is the only blanket we need until spring.
