Will they live?

Hi, I wonder whether anyone can advise me please? I have a chrysanthemum which flowered beautifully in November time last year. I've cut it back but don't know whether it will grow again this year. There is literally no green on it and this time last year it was quite leafy, now it's just woody. Will it grow again or should I give up on it?

 

Hi,

Cannot believe any plant will not have burst into life by now with all this warm weather we have had, so would think you will be better looking for a new plant.

What kind of shelter did you give it over winter, if any ?

 

Its brown bread I'm afraid.
Some chrysanths are not really hardy.

 

it was in the border all winter. Should definitely have moved it before, such a shame, it was a beautiful plant ☹️

 

If it was to be still alive I think any new growth would come directly from the root.

 

If it was in that pot all winter I'd tip it out and have a look at the roots, you may see some buds round the base of the stem if they are green and the roots are showing some growth repot it in a John Innes compost and cross fingers. Otherwise refill pot with John Innes compost and a new plant.
Autumn flowering chrysanthemums, that you see flowering like mad in supermarkets and garden centres, have been grown specifically to do that in large glasshouses with controlled lighting and ideal growing conditions and often a plant hormone to restrict their growth and make them bushy.

 

Hi @newbiegreenfingers , the stem you have there will never grow again.

Chrysanthemums are Herbaceous which means that once they have grown and flowered they die off completely back to the crown of the plant under the soil. This in Chrysanthemums is called a " Stool ".

What you should do after flowering is cut all the stems back to ground level and then .....

a)

If they are hardy leave them where they are, they reshoot in Spring.

Or

b)

If they are not hardy you lift them and either pot them up or put them in trays of compost or sand in the greenhouse and keep the roots just moist enough to stop them drying out.

I'm afraid yours looks totally dead. By now depending on type it should be between 6 and 12 inches high with several side shoots.

Could I ask where you bought it from please and if possible if you know the name.

If you want to grow Chrysanthemums again this year it's not too late, if you order quickly. There are two good companies who I order from who do mail order and they both do both the hardy types and the greenhouse types which you can buy as cut flowers from October to February.
These are Woolmans and Chrysanthemums Direct.

PS... I'm growing around 25 different ones from small mound forming plants to 4' high huge " Football Mums " this year to keep me in flowers for over 6 months .

I received and planted the last of my orders yesterday and these should start to flower around September time.

 

Thanks everyone! I transplanted out of the garden and into the pot earlier in the spring, I think the damage was already done and alas I have retired them to the bin :-(. I'll try again next year!