UC Placer County Master Gardener: Focusing on the fall flower, chrysanthemums

My birthday is in November and sometimes I get a chrysanthemum as a gift. But when I transplant them, I've never been successful. I noticed in the 2023 Calendar and Gardening Guide that in late August they should be fertilized. But what else is there to know about chrysanthemums and why have I never been successful growing them? The chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China as a flowering herb and is used in tea. Dutch merchants introduced these flowers to Europe and in the mid-19th century they were introduced to North America. By 2014 it is estimated there were more than 20,000 cultivars worldwide, with half in China. On my first business trip to China, I remember drinking chrysanthemum tea. The brewing is quite beautiful as you watch the dried flower open in hot water. It's a bit flowery in flavor, rather like chamomile. I've occasionally added some petals to salads. But, I'll leave medicinal and culinary aspects for someone else other than to note that all parts of the plants are potentially toxic to animals. https://www.ucdavis.edu/one-health/garden-plants-toxic-to-pets The chrysanthemum – Chrysanthemum morifolium, Dendranthema grandiflora – is part of the Asteraceae (Sunflower family). It is often called a "mum." These are perennial plants often grown as annuals often in borders and pots. Flowers bloom in late summer and fall. Their many colors include red/orange, orange, burgundy, pink, yellow, purple and white. The color has symbolism – for example, red is symbolic of love and passion and can be a good substitute for red roses for Valentine's Day; purple blooms symbolize thoughtfulness and care. What about those glorious mums you see at florists? You can try to transplant them into the garden, but they generally do not return each year. Mums from garden centers and nurseries do better. And mums grown from a cutting have a better chance to return year after year. While fall is when we enjoy their beauty, spring is the best time to plant chrysanthemums for success in the garden. To grow from a cutting, cut a 3- to 4-inch section from the end of a stem, remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant this in a small pot with peat and perlite in equal parts and make sure the node where leaves were removed is below the soil surface. Once these cuttings have a root system and danger of frost has passed, plant them in the garden at least two to three feet apart. Chrysanthemums thrive well in well-draining soil and full sun for at least five hours each day. In hot climates, protect them from afternoon sun. They need regular watering, especially in dry heat. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Feed plants with a slow-release fertilizer at planting and every few weeks during the growing season. Pinch back the tips of the stems in early summer to get more blooms in the fall. While they are a natural pest control, they can be attacked by pests including aphids, leaf miners and spider mites. Check regularly for signs of these pests and treat them with an appropriate pesticide or natural solution. Grown in the garden from cuttings, they can be perennial for as much as four years with the right care. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/floriculture-and-ornamental-nurseries/chrysanthemum/