As a potted chrysanthemum, I feel the days growing shorter and the air turning crisp. My vibrant blooms, which once celebrated the autumn sun, are beginning to fade. This is a critical signal for both you and me. My life cycle is entering its most vulnerable phase, and with your careful help, I can conserve my energy deep within my roots and crown to burst forth again next season. Here is what I need from you, step-by-step.
Once my flowers have faded and begun to brown, it is time for the first haircut. Please use clean, sharp shears to cut my stems back to about 4-6 inches above the soil line. This is not merely for aesthetics; it is a vital conservation strategy. By removing the spent blooms and tall stems, you are preventing me from wasting precious energy trying to sustain dead growth. This energy is far better spent on my root system, which is my key to survival. Please ensure you leave some foliage at the base; those remaining leaves will continue to photosynthesize for a short while longer, further strengthening me.
I cannot survive a freezing winter left exposed on your patio. My pot, unlike the insulated ground, exposes my roots to deadly temperature swings. After trimming, I need you to move my container. My ideal overwintering location is cool, dark, and consistently above freezing—but not warm. An unheated garage, a shed, or a cold cellar is perfect. The goal is to keep me dormant, not growing. If you must leave me outdoors, I require extreme protection. Bury my entire pot in a sheltered garden bed and mulch heavily, or group me with other pots in a very sheltered corner, insulating us with a thick blanket of straw or leaves and wrapping the group in burlap.
During my dormancy, my thirst is nearly nonexistent, but my roots cannot be allowed to desiccate completely. This is a delicate balance. You must check my soil moisture about once a month. If the soil is bone dry several inches down, please provide a modest drink—just enough to lightly moisten the soil. Water me on a day when temperatures are above freezing to prevent ice from forming around my roots. The most common threat to me during this time is not the cold, but rot from being overwatered while I am dormant and not actively drinking.
As the world begins to warm in early spring, watch for the first signs of new growth emerging from my crown. This is my signal that it is time to wake up. Bring my pot out of its winter shelter and place me in a sunny, sheltered location. Resume regular watering as my new growth appears. Once the risk of a hard frost has passed, you can repot me in fresh potting mix if I am root-bound, or begin a regular feeding schedule to support the vigorous growth ahead. With this careful seasonal rhythm, I will be ready to reward your patience with another spectacular display of autumn color.
