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Change
Your Home Environment By Chrysanthemum Blooms
B.K.
Banerji and A.K. Dwivedi*
Chrysanthemum
(C. morifolium
Ramat) is an ornamental plant which
belongs to family Asteraceae.
Chrysanthemum
finds its origin in China.
Confucius (Chinese Philosopher) wrote
about
Chrysanthemum
in 550 BC. The
name
Chrysanthemum
denotes golden
coloured flower, originating from Greek
words chrysos, gold and anthos, flower.
From China
Chrysanthemum
has spread
throughout the world. National
Botanical Research Institute is one of the
pioneer organizations, maintaining
chrysanthemum germplasm from last four decades. It has collections of all types
of chrysanthemum which includes large flower (standard), pot mums,
small-flowered and mini chrysanthemum. Wide range of biodiversity in
chrysanthemum colour, form and type can be seen in the month of December. The
size of bloom ranges from 1.0 cm to 22 cm across. Wide spectrums of colours are
available except blue and black. Leaf size ranges from 1cm to 15cm in length and
its colour varies from green, dark green and variegated. The plant height varies
from 10cm to 120cm. Beauty of the flower head is decided by the colour, number
and arrangements of ray and disc florets on inflorescence (Capitulum). Diversity
of flower shape and size blended with broad spectrum of colour make this plant
ideal for home and garden decoration and it has the power to change the home
environment into heaven. Floriculture section of NBRI is very keen to develop
new cultivars of chrysanthemum to germplasm enrichment to make it more
attractive and interesting for the public. In addition NBRI also organizes
chrysanthemum and coleus flower show in the month of December to generate
interest and awareness about chrysanthemum plant. This flower show a special
section is meant for flower arrangement dedicated to ladies where they translate
their artistic skill through chrysanthemum and make eye catching thematic
arrangements, garlands, buttons, etc.
On the basis of flower size chrysanthemum is classified into three main types
viz mini, small and large. Large-flowered chrysanthemum are used as a pot plant
and has eight types of flowers which include incurved, incurving, reflexed,
intermediate, quilled, ball, irregular and spider; Small flower cultivars are
used as cut sprays and also used in beds for monochromatic and polychromatic
landscape. Small flowered chrysanthemum are classified into ten categories which
includes Anemone, Button, Korean, Korean Double, Decorative, Pompon, Semi-Quilled,
Quilled, Cineraria and Stellate. The third category of chrysanthemum is Mini
chrysanthemum which is developed
by NBRI and is also known as 'no
pinch and no stake' type. These cultivars
do not require pinching or staking
during their life cycle. They can be
grown in beds or small pots. It can be
grown in 10 cm pot and at full bloom stage looks like a flower bouquet. For
converting your home into heaven decoration of home with potted plants and cut
sprays and loose flowers of chrysanthemum is required. It begins with the making
of Rangoli in front door
by colourful ray florets of chrysanthemum, decoration of door with garlands,
arrangements of chrysanthemum pots in courtyard and verandas. Interior
decoration with flower arrangements is most important part of it due to long
vase life of the flower. Mini chrysanthemum in different shape, colour and forms
are available which can be intelligently used for interior decoration. It can be
placed even on dining table to spread positive energy as it creates its own
beautiful aura to the surrounding. Mini landscapes are very attractive as they
have a look of village with hut, well, lake, landscapes made from the different
cultivars of mini chrysanthemum. This type of model can be placed near the
entrance for creating beautiful surrounding to the home. Chrysanthemum flowers
attract small birds, bees and multi-coloured butterflies which add beauty to the
home and one can feel that home is now like a heaven. For decoration of home we
recommend following chrysanthemum cultivars:
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Large
Flower : Snow
Ball, Pink Cloud, Alfred Wilson, Undaunted, Miss Universe, Belur Math,
Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba, Bolo-de-ore Allahabad Reflex, Bhima
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Small
Flower : Jayanti,
Kundan, Shymal, Lilith, Flirt, Otome-Zakura, Purnima, Lalima, Khumaini,
Kalyani Mauve
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Mini
Chrysanthemum : Mother
Teresa, Diana, NBRI Little Darling, Kargil-99, Y 2K, Mini Queen, Rangoli,
NBRI Mini Jessie, NBRI Little Orange, NBRI Hemant, NBRI Pink.
Cultivars of Chrysanthemum can be obtained from Floriculture Section of NBRI in
the month of August.
*Floriculture Section, National
Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226001
E-mail:
[email protected]
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