Chrysanthemum ‘Symphony’ is a beautiful Spider exhibition variety,. This variety is highly sought after for horticultural shows due to its uniform shape and striking presence. Lovely used in floral art displays.
Suitable For: Cut flowers, garden displays, and exhibitions
Growing Options: Can be grown in the ground or in pots
Suitable For: Cut flowers, garden displays, and exhibitions
Growing Options: Can be grown in the ground or in pots
- Type: Spider (exhibition variety)
- Bloom Size: Large (15–20 cm across)
- Colour: Apricot to orange tones (may vary slightly with climate)
- Growth Habit: Upright, with strong, sturdy stems
- Flowering Period: Autumn (April–May)
- Light: Requires full sun (at least 6 hours daily) for best growth.
- Soil: Prefers rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0).
- Spacing: Plant 30–45 cm apart to improve air circulation.
- Watering:
- Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging.
- Water at the base to prevent fungal issues.
- Feeding:
- Early growth: Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer to promote strong leaf and stem development.
- Mid-season: Apply a balanced fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10).
- Budding stage: Switch to a high-potassium feed to enhance bloom size and quality.
- Pinching:
- Pinch out the growing tips when the plant reaches 15 cm tall to encourage a fuller shape.
- Do the final cutback by the 20th of January
- Disbudding:
- For large, show-quality blooms, remove all side buds, keeping only one terminal bud per stem.
- Use stakes or a grow-through support system, as large incurved blooms can become top-heavy.
- Pests: Watch for aphids, spider mites, and thrips—treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Diseases: Powdery mildew and botrytis can affect chrysanthemums—ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering.
- Timing:
- Adjust pinching and feeding schedules to synchronize bloom times for exhibitions.
- Shading: Light shading in late summer can help extend the flowering period if needed.