Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum 'Cerise Mundial'
ABOUT
The Chrysanthemum 'Cerise Mundial' is a captivating and ornamental plant notable for its vibrant cerise or deep pink flowers. These blossoms exude a festive charm, with numerous layered petals that exhibit a lush, full appearance. Each petal curls gracefully at the edges, adding to the overall textured look of the flower head. The petals fan out from a central button, which often has a slightly different hue, giving the flower a dynamic and multilayered appearance. The leaves of the Chrysanthemum 'Cerise Mundial' are deep green with a matte surface, making a striking contrast against the bright blooms. The foliage is typically lobed with toothed edges, providing a lush backdrop for the vivid flowers. The overall visual effect of the Chrysanthemum 'Cerise Mundial' is one of warmth and vibrancy, making it a popular choice for ornamental gardens and floral displays.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Cerise Mundial Chrysanthemum, Cerise Mundial Mum.
Common names
Chrysanthemum 'Cerise Mundial'.
ToxicityTo humans
Chrysanthemums, commonly referred to as mums, are not considered highly toxic to humans, but they can cause skin irritation in people sensitive to their components. If ingested, they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, though serious cases are rare. Contact with the skin may result in dermatitis in some individuals. It is always advisable to handle plants with care and avoid ingestion if they are not known to be edible.
To pets
Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. They contain compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis if touched or ingested. In some cases, ingestion can also lead to more severe reactions, such as depression and loss of balance. If you suspect your pet has ingested chrysanthemums, it's important to contact a veterinarian promptly.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet (91 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Chrysanthemums are renowned for their bright and beautiful flowers, which can enhance the visual interest of any garden space.
- Pollinator Attraction: They attract bees and butterflies, which are vital pollinators for gardens and ecosystems.
- Seasonal Color: Chrysanthemums bloom in the fall, providing late-season color when many other plants have finished flowering.
- Easy to Grow: They are generally low-maintenance, withstanding various conditions and often thriving with minimal care.
- Versatility: They can be planted in beds, borders, containers, and make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
- Cultural Significance: Chrysanthemums have various symbolic meanings in different cultures, often associated with joy and optimism.
- Longevity: With proper care, they can have a long blooming period, offering extended enjoyment through the season.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photographic subject: Chrysanthemum flowers, with their intricate shapes and vivacious colors, are often used in macro photography to highlight the beauty of natural forms and patterns.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the striking appearance of 'Cerise Mundial' chrysanthemums as a motif in paintings, illustrations, and textile designs.
- Natural dye: The petals can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, yielding unique and potentially subtle shades depending on the mordant used.
- Decorative garnishes: Edible varieties of chrysanthemums can add a splash of color and a slightly tangy flavor as garnishes in salads and on desserts.
- Crafts: Dried chrysanthemum flowers can be incorporated into potpourris, wreaths, or other dried floral arrangements as a lasting home decor.
- Bookmark crafting: Pressed chrysanthemum flowers can be used to create personalized and decorative bookmarks.
- Scented sachets: The petals can be dried and placed in small pouches to create natural, fragrant sachets for drawers and closets.
- Wedding bouquets and boutonnieres: The vibrant colors and full blooms of chrysanthemums make them a popular choice for wedding floral arrangements.
- Feng Shui: In some cultures, chrysanthemums are used in Feng Shui practices to bring positive energy into a space, often associated with happiness and ease.
- Culinary presentations: Flower ice cubes incorporating small chrysanthemum petals can add an elegant touch to cocktails and other beverages at special events.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Chrysanthemum is used in Feng Shui to attract positive energy and promote good health and longevity. They can be placed in the health area of a space, which is the center of a home or room, to enhance the wellbeing of occupants.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Chrysanthemum is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Loyalty and Devotion: In many cultures, chrysanthemums are considered symbols of loyalty and devoted love, likely deriving from the way the flowers cluster together.
- Happiness and Joy: Chrysanthemums are often associated with happiness, likely due to their bright and cheerful appearance.
- Longevity and Immortality: In Asian cultures, especially in China and Japan, chrysanthemums are symbolic of long life and immortality. This symbolism comes from their perennial nature and their ability to bloom late into the fall.
- Rebirth and Renewal: As flowers that bloom in the fall, chrysanthemums can symbolize the idea of rebirth and the renewal of life.
- Ease and Restfulness: Chrysanthemums are sometimes used to symbolize an easy life or restfulness in retirement, perhaps reflecting on the serene aesthetic of the flower.
WaterMums require even moisture and should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. For a potted 'Cerise Mundial' mum, this might mean watering with approximately 24 ounces of water per week, but this can vary depending on environmental conditions and pot size. Mums in garden beds may require different amounts of water based on soil type and weather. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent disease; instead, water at the base of the plant. During hot, dry periods, increased frequency of watering may be necessary, but always check the soil moisture level first.
LightMums, including the 'Cerise Mundial', thrive in full sunlight. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to encourage strong growth and abundant flowering. The ideal spot for your mum is a sunny location where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. Filtered or partial shade, especially in the hot afternoon, can be tolerated but may result in a less robust plant with fewer flowers.
TemperatureMums, such as the 'Cerise Mundial', prefer temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. They can tolerate a range down to freezing, but frost can damage the plant, so it's best to provide protection if temperatures below 32°F are expected. They can handle temperatures up to 90°F, but prolonged heat can stress the plant, so additional care and watering may be required during hot spells.
PruningPruning mums, like 'Cerise Mundial', promotes bushiness and prevents leggy growth. Pinch back the tips of the stems by about an inch when they are 4-6 inches tall, and repeat this process every few weeks until early July. This also encourages a more prolific bloom in the fall. Pruning is not necessary during the blooming period, but removing spent flowers, known as deadheading, can promote further blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMums thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0; a mix of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite is often recommended.
RepottingMums should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and allow for more room to grow.
Humidity & MistingMums prefer moderate to high humidity levels, with ideal conditions being around 60-70% humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light, ensure good air flow, water when dry.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Chrysanthemum 'Cerise Mundial', commonly known as a mum, begins its life cycle as a seed, though commercially, it is often propagated from cuttings for uniformity. Once planted, the seed or cutting enters a germination or rooting phase, respectively, where it develops roots and sprouts its first leaves. In the vegetative growth stage, the mum rapidly produces more leaves and stems, and with proper care, it will reach maturity. As the plant matures, it enters the budding phase where flower buds begin to develop, responding to changes in daylight and temperature. The blossoms of the mum open in the flowering stage, showcasing the plant's characteristic vibrant cerise colors. Finally, after pollination, it may produce seeds if not deadheaded, concluding its life cycle with the senescence stage where the plant begins to decline, eventually dying unless it is a perennial variety that can return the following year under appropriate conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Chrysanthemum 'Cerise Mundial', commonly known as the Hardy Garden Mum, is typically propagated through stem cuttings, a popular method that is relatively simple and effective. The best time to take cuttings is in spring when the plant is producing new, vigorous growth. A healthy stem tip about 4 to 6 inches long is snipped off just below a leaf node, where the concentration of natural rooting hormones is high. The lower leaves are removed, and the cutting is dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root formation. It is then inserted into a moist potting mixture of peat and perlite. The pot should be placed in indirect light and kept at a constant temperature, ideally between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius), until the cutting has rooted, which usually takes a few weeks.
