An ancient poem about chrysanthemums written by Huangchao of the Tang Dynasty is as follows:
1. The rustling west wind fills the courtyard with plants, and the pistils are cold, fragrant and cold, and it is difficult for butterflies to come. If I were the Qing Emperor in his future years, I would be rewarded with peach blossoms.
Translation: The rustling autumn wind is coming, and the chrysanthemums in the garden are swaying. The fragrance of the stamens is full of chillness, making it difficult for butterflies and bees to come. One day, I will be the God of Spring, and I will arrange for chrysanthemums and peach blossoms to bloom in spring.
2. When autumn comes on September 8th, I will kill all the flowers after they bloom. The incense formation soaring into the sky penetrates Chang'an, and the whole city is covered with golden armor.
Translation: When the Double Ninth Festival comes in September in autumn, the chrysanthemums will bloom and other flowers will wither. The chrysanthemums in full bloom are dazzling, and the fragrance is long and peaceful. The whole city is bathed in the fragrance of chrysanthemums, and the golden armor-like chrysanthemums are everywhere.
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Chrysanthemum is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. Originating in China, chrysanthemum was spread to Japan via Korea during the Tang and Song Dynasties, to Europe in the 17th century, and then to America. Chrysanthemums can be classified according to flower diameter, flowering period, flower color, etc. Historically, the classification of chrysanthemum varieties was mainly based on color.
Growing environment
Chrysanthemums are short-day plants and can bloom early under short-day conditions. It likes sunshine and avoids shade. It is drought tolerant and afraid of waterlogging. It likes a warm and humid climate, but is also cold-tolerant. In severe winter, the rhizomes can overwinter underground. The flowers can withstand light frost, but higher temperatures are required for seedling growth and branching and budding. The optimal growth temperature is around 20°C.
Chrysanthemums are highly adaptable, like coolness, and are relatively cold-tolerant. The suitable growth temperature is 18-21°C, with a maximum of 32°C and a minimum of 10°C. The low temperature tolerance limit of underground rhizomes is generally minus 10°C. The lowest night temperature during the flowering period is 17℃, and it can drop to 15-13℃ during the flowering period (middle and late). It likes full sun, but tolerates a little shade. It is more tolerant of dryness and most avoids waterlogging.
It prefers sandy loam with high, dry terrain, deep soil, rich in humus, easily fertile and well-drained soil. It can grow in slightly acidic to neutral soil, but PH 6.2-6.7 is better. Avoid continuous work. Autumn chrysanthemum is a long-night day plant, and its stems and leaves grow vegetatively under 14.5 hours of long daylight per day. More than 12 hours of darkness per day and a night temperature of 10°C are suitable for flower bud development. But different varieties respond differently to sunlight.
Distribution range
Chrysanthemums are found in all cities and towns in China, especially in Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Kaifeng, Wuhan, Chengdu, Changsha, Xiangtan, Xi'an, Shenyang, Guangzhou, Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan City, etc. are the most popular.
Around the 8th century, the chrysanthemum as an ornamental flower was introduced to Japan from China and was admired as the pattern of Japan's national emblem. Dutch merchants introduced Chinese chrysanthemums to Europe at the end of the 17th century, to France in the 18th century, and to North America in the mid-19th century. Since then, Chinese chrysanthemums have spread all over the world.