Why Chrysanthemum (Guldaudi) is the ‘Gujarat Daisy’ of Choice
In the bustling flower mandis of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat, a vibrant wave of yellow and white flowers holds steady demand throughout the year. Colloquially known as the ‘Gujarat Daisy,’ this flower is most often the hardy and profitable Chrysanthemum, or Guldaudi. For the savvy farmer and agri-entrepreneur in Gujarat, this crop represents more than just beauty; it represents a reliable stream of income, a perfect diversification from traditional crops, and a business that blossoms with the state’s festive calendar.
This guide is built on phronesis—practical wisdom. We will not waste your time with abstract theories. Instead, we will walk you through the field-tested knowledge you need to turn a patch of land into a profitable daisy enterprise. From preparing your soil to negotiating in the market, every piece of advice here is designed to be acted upon.
Why focus on Chrysanthemum now? The reasons are compelling:
- Economic Resilience: Unlike many crops with volatile prices, the demand for flowers for religious offerings, weddings, and events provides a consistent market. Chrysanthemum, being a fast-growing crop with the potential for multiple harvests (ratooning), ensures a quicker return on investment.
- Agronomic Suitability: Certain Chrysanthemum varieties are exceptionally well-suited to Gujarat’s diverse agro-climatic zones, from the sandy loams of Central Gujarat to the clayey soils of the South. They can handle a fair amount of water stress once established and respond beautifully to good management.
- Market Versatility: The ‘Gujarat Daisy’ is sold primarily as loose flowers for garlands (maalai) and temple offerings. This market is voluminous and requires less delicate post-harvest handling than the high-end cut flower market, making it more accessible for new growers.
This is your complete roadmap to cultivating Chrysanthemum in Gujarat. Let’s begin.
Selecting the Right Chrysanthemum Variety for Your Farm
Your success begins with a single choice: the variety. The right variety for your farm depends on your target market (loose flowers or cut stems), your local climate, and the colour preferences of your local market. Yellow and white flowers typically have the highest and most consistent demand in Gujarat for garlands and decorations.
Chrysanthemums are broadly divided into two types based on their growth habit:
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- Spray Type: These varieties produce a large number of smaller flowers on branching stems. They are ideal for the loose flower market, which is the dominant market in Gujarat. Pinching techniques are used to maximize the number of flowers.
- Standard Type: These varieties are managed to produce one large, terminal flower per stem. This is achieved through a process called disbudding. These are grown for the cut flower market, a more niche but potentially high-value segment.
For most farmers in Gujarat, focusing on spray-type varieties for loose flower production is the most practical and profitable path. Below is a table of recommended varieties that have shown excellent performance in Indian conditions.
Popular Chrysanthemum Varieties for Commercial Cultivation
| Variety Name | Flower Colour | Flower Type | Best Suited For | Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pusa Anmol | Yellow | Spray | Loose Flowers | High yielding, popular in markets. Excellent for garlands. |
| Pusa Aditya | Bright Yellow | Spray | Loose Flowers | Early flowering, uniform blooms. Commands a good price. |
| Bindiya | White | Spray | Loose Flowers | Classic white variety, always in demand for religious purposes. |
| Shanti | White | Spray | Loose Flowers | Good keeping quality and yields well. A reliable choice. |
| Indira | Pink/Light Purple | Spray | Loose Flowers / Decoration | Adds colour diversity to your offering. Good for event decorators. |
| Kirti | Yellow | Standard | Cut Flowers | Requires disbudding. For farmers targeting the premium bouquet market. |
Practical Wisdom: Don’t just rely on a list. Visit your nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or a state agricultural university like Anand Agricultural University. They can provide advice on locally tested varieties and connect you with reliable government or private nurseries for sourcing healthy planting material.
From Soil to Sucker: A Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Proper establishment of your crop is half the battle won. Chrysanthemum is a hardy plant, but it rewards careful preparation with vigorous growth and abundant flowers. Follow this checklist for a successful planting season.
Step 1: Understand the Climate and Timing
Chrysanthemum is a “short-day” plant, meaning it initiates flowering when the day length becomes shorter. For Gujarat, the ideal planting time for the main season crop is during the monsoon, from late June to the end of July. This timing allows the plant to establish vegetative growth during the longer days of monsoon and initiate flowering as days shorten from September onwards, leading to a peak harvest around Diwali and the subsequent wedding season.
Step 2: Land Preparation
A well-prepared field promotes deep root growth, good drainage, and reduces weed competition.
- Ploughing: Give the land 2-3 deep ploughings to a depth of at least 25-30 cm. This breaks up hardpan soil and improves aeration. Follow up with harrowing to create a fine, level tilth.
- Organic Matter: Chrysanthemum thrives in fertile soil. Apply 8 to 10 tonnes of well-decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or compost per acre during the final ploughing. This improves soil structure, water retention, and provides essential nutrients.
- Bed Formation: The crop is best grown on raised beds or ridges. This is critical for ensuring good drainage, especially during the heavy rains of the Gujarat monsoon, and prevents waterlogging which can cause fatal root rot diseases. Form ridges and furrows at a spacing of 60-75 cm apart.
Step 3: Propagation and Sourcing Planting Material
While chrysanthemums can be grown from seed, commercial cultivation relies exclusively on vegetative propagation to ensure uniformity and faster growth. The most common method is using suckers.
- What are Suckers?: These are new shoots that arise from the base of the mother plant after the main crop has been harvested. They come with their own root system.
- Sourcing: Purchase healthy, disease-free suckers from a reputable nursery. A healthy sucker should be about 5-7 cm long with a good root system. Do not use planting material from a diseased field, as this is the surest way to introduce problems like Fusarium wilt onto your farm.
- Planting Density: Spacing is key to balancing yield and quality. For the loose flower market, a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm is ideal. This accommodates about 44,000 plants per acre. This close spacing encourages upright growth and maximizes flower yield per unit area.
Step 4: The Planting Process
- Plant the suckers on the ridges, not in the furrows.
- Make a small hole and place the sucker, ensuring the roots are well-covered with soil. Press the soil firmly around the base.
- Planting is best done in the late afternoon to reduce transplanting shock.
- Irrigate immediately after planting. This is non-negotiable. It helps the roots establish contact with the soil and prevents the young plants from wilting.
Nutrient and Water Management for a Bountiful Harvest
Your flower yield is a direct reflection of the nutrition and water you provide. Chrysanthemum is a heavy feeder and requires a balanced supply of nutrients and consistent moisture to produce a commercial-quality crop.
Fertilizer Management: Feeding the Crop
A balanced NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) schedule is vital. Here is a practical, acre-based recommendation:
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- Basal Dose (at land preparation): Before planting, incorporate a basal dose of fertilizer into the soil. A general recommendation per acre is:
- 20 kg of Nitrogen (e.g., ~44 kg of Urea)
- 48 kg of Phosphorus (e.g., ~300 kg of Single Super Phosphate – SSP)
- 48 kg of Potassium (e.g., ~80 kg of Muriate of Potash – MOP)
Note: It’s always best to get your soil tested. The above is a general guideline; adjust based on your soil test report. Phosphorus is immobile in the soil, so applying it as a basal dose is crucial.
- Top Dressing (after planting): Nitrogen is essential for vegetative growth (leaves and stems). It is best applied in split doses to prevent leaching and ensure a steady supply. Apply another 20 kg of Nitrogen per acre (~44 kg of Urea) about 30-40 days after planting. This is usually done at the time of pinching, when the plant needs a boost to produce new branches.
- Micronutrients: In some Gujarati soils, deficiencies of Zinc (Zn) and Boron (B) can occur. Symptoms include stunted growth and deformed flowers. A foliar spray of a chelated micronutrient mixture at 30 and 60 days after planting can prevent this and significantly improve flower quality.
Irrigation Strategy: The Lifeline of Your Crop
Water management is about consistency, not flooding.
- Method: While traditional furrow irrigation is common, it is highly recommended to invest in a drip irrigation system. The benefits are immense:
- Water Savings: Saves 40-60% of water compared to flood irrigation—a massive advantage in many parts of Gujarat.
- Weed Reduction: Water is delivered only to the plant’s root zone, keeping the space between rows dry and discouraging weed growth.
- Fertigation: Liquid fertilizers can be applied directly through the drip system, leading to highly efficient nutrient uptake and saving on labour for application.
- Frequency: The irrigation schedule depends on the soil type, weather, and crop stage.
- Immediately after planting: A light, frequent irrigation is needed for the first week to establish the plants.
- Vegetative Stage: Irrigate every 5-7 days. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
- Flowering Stage: This is a critical period. Water stress now can lead to smaller flowers and reduced yield. Ensure consistent moisture.
Practical Wisdom: The ‘feel’ method is a farmer’s best friend. Dig a little near the root zone. If the soil feels dry and crumbly, it’s time to irrigate. If it clumps together with moisture, you can wait.
The Art of Pinching and Disbudding: Sculpting Your Yield
This is where practical skill directly translates into higher income. Pinching and disbudding are two crucial intercultural operations that control the plant’s growth habit to meet your specific market goals.
Pinching: For a Bushy Plant and More Flowers
Pinching is the single most important operation for growing chrysanthemums for the loose flower market.
- What it is: The removal of the apical (top) growing tip of the main stem, usually about 2-3 cm.
- Why do it: Removing the terminal bud breaks its dominance and stimulates the growth of side branches (axillary shoots). Each new branch will terminate in a flower. More branches mean more flowers per plant, dramatically increasing your total yield.
- When to do it: The first pinching should be done approximately 4 weeks after planting, when the plant is about 15-20 cm tall.
- How to do it: Use your thumb and forefinger or a clean blade to simply ‘pinch’ off the soft growing tip.
For some long-duration varieties, a second pinching of the newly formed side shoots can be done about 50-60 days after planting to further increase the number of flowering stems.
Disbudding: For Large, Exhibition-Quality Flowers
Disbudding is the opposite of pinching in its objective. It is done for ‘standard’ type varieties intended for the cut flower market.
- What it is: The removal of all side flower buds, allowing only the central, terminal bud on each stem to develop.
- Why do it: By directing all the plant’s energy into a single bud per stem, you get a very large, high-quality flower that commands a premium price from decorators and florists.
- When and How: Once the flower buds appear, you will see a cluster with one large central bud and several smaller side buds. Carefully remove the small side buds, leaving only the main one. This requires skill and is labour-intensive.
For farmers in Gujarat, 95% of the focus should be on mastering pinching to maximize the yield of loose flowers.
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Growth Regulators: An Advanced Technique
For experienced growers, Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) can be used. A foliar spray of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) at a concentration of 50 ppm about 30-45 days after planting can increase plant height and flower size. However, this should be done with caution and precise measurement, as incorrect application can have negative effects.
Proactive Pest and Disease Management
Prevention is always better than cure. A healthy, well-nourished plant is less susceptible to attack. Adopting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach will save you money and protect the environment.
Common Pests
- Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects cluster on new shoots and under leaves, sucking sap. This causes leaf curling and stunted growth. They also excrete ‘honeydew,’ which leads to sooty mould.Control: For minor infestations, a spray of neem oil (5 ml/litre of water) works well. For severe attacks, use a systemic insecticide like Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (0.5 ml/litre).
- Thrips: Tiny insects that hide within the flower petals, causing silvery streaks and distortion. They can make flowers unmarketable.Control: Use blue sticky traps to monitor populations. At the first sign, spray with Fipronil 5% SC (1 ml/litre) or Spinosad 45% SC (0.3 ml/litre).
- Leaf Miner: The larvae of this fly create distinctive white, serpentine ‘tunnels’ inside the leaves. While minor damage is cosmetic, heavy infestation can reduce photosynthesis and weaken the plant.Control: Remove and destroy affected leaves in the early stages. If widespread, a systemic insecticide like Dimethoate 30% EC (1 ml/litre) can be effective.
Common Diseases
- Fusarium Wilt: This is the most devastating disease. It’s a soil-borne fungus that causes yellowing of lower leaves, followed by wilting of one side of the plant, and eventually, the entire plant collapses.Management: There is no cure, so prevention is everything.
- Use only certified disease-free planting material.
- Ensure excellent soil drainage; avoid waterlogging at all costs.
- Practice crop rotation.
- Treat suckers with a fungicide solution before planting (e.g., Carbendazim 1g/litre).
- Soil drenching with a biological agent like Trichoderma viride (1 kg mixed with 100 kg FYM per acre) can help suppress the fungus.
- Powdery Mildew: A white, powdery coating appears on leaves, especially in humid conditions with poor air circulation.Management: Improve air circulation by maintaining proper spacing. At the first sign, spray with wettable sulfur (2g/litre) or a systemic fungicide like Hexaconazole (1 ml/litre).
- Rust: Small, brown, powdery pustules appear on the undersides of the leaves.Management: Remove and burn infected leaves. Spray with Mancozeb (2.5 g/litre).
Harvesting, Post-Harvest Handling, and Market Strategy
This is where your hard work turns into cash. Timely harvesting and proper handling are crucial to get the best price.
Harvesting
- Timing: Chrysanthemums should be harvested in the early morning or late evening when the temperature is cool to maintain freshness.
- Stage of Harvest:
- For Loose Flowers: Harvest when the flowers are fully open but before the central disc starts to discolour or wither.
- For Cut Flowers: Harvest when the outer 2-3 rows of petals have unfolded but the centre is still tight.
- Method: Loose flowers are plucked by hand without the stalk. For cut flowers, use a sharp knife to cut the stem, leaving a good length (45-60 cm).
Yield and Ratooning
- Main Crop Yield: With good management, you can expect an average yield of 4 to 6 tonnes of loose flowers per acre from the main crop.
- Ratooning for a Second Harvest: After the main harvest is over (around January), cut the plants back to about 15 cm from the ground. Apply a light dose of fertilizer and irrigate. The plants will sprout again and give a second, smaller flush of flowers in the summer (March-April). This ratoon crop is a significant bonus and greatly improves the overall economics of cultivation.
Post-Harvest Handling
- Loose Flowers: Pack them carefully in bamboo baskets or large gunny bags. Sprinkle a little water to maintain turgidity, but do not make them wet. Avoid pressing them down, as this will bruise the petals. Transport them to the market as quickly as possible.
- Cut Flowers: Immediately after cutting, place the stems in buckets filled with clean water. Grade them based on stem length, flower size, and quality. Bundle them in dozens or twenties.
Market Intelligence
- Know Your Markets: The major wholesale flower markets are in Ahmedabad (Jamalpur), Vadodara, and Surat. Understand their peak hours and commission agent (arhatiya) systems.
- Track Prices: Prices are highly seasonal. They peak during Navratri, Diwali, the wedding season (November-February), and other festivals. They are lowest during off-seasons. Keep in touch with market agents to understand price trends.
- Build Relationships: If possible, build direct relationships with event planners, hotel chains, and large temple trusts. This can provide you with a stable, contract-based income and potentially higher prices by cutting out the middleman.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 1. How long does it take from planting to first harvest?
- It typically takes about 3 to 4 months from planting the suckers to the first commercial harvest. If you plant in July, you can expect the main flowering to begin in late October and peak in November-December.
- 2. Can I grow daisy from seeds? Why are suckers preferred?
- While you can technically grow them from seed, it is not recommended for commercial farming. Seeds produce plants with high genetic variability, meaning your flowers will not be uniform in size, colour, or flowering time. Suckers are a form of vegetative propagation, which creates clones of the mother plant, ensuring every plant in your field is identical and high-performing.
- 3. My daisy plants are tall and green but have very few flowers. What did I do wrong?
- This is a classic problem with two likely causes. First, you may have applied too much Nitrogen fertilizer, especially late in the season, which promotes vegetative (leafy) growth at the expense of flowers. Second, and more commonly, you likely missed the crucial step of ‘pinching’ at 4 weeks, which is necessary to encourage the branching that leads to abundant flowers.
- 4. What is the main difference in managing for loose flowers vs. cut flowers?
- The key differences are: 1) Variety: Spray types for loose flowers, Standard types for cut flowers. 2) Spacing: Closer spacing (30×30 cm) for loose flowers, slightly wider for cut flowers. 3) Interculture: Pinching is essential for loose flowers to get more blooms, while disbudding is essential for cut flowers to get one large bloom. 4) Harvesting: Fully open flowers for loose market, partially open for cut flower market.
- 5. Is drip irrigation really worth the initial investment for daisy cultivation?
- Absolutely. While the upfront cost is higher than furrow irrigation, the long-term returns are significant. In a water-conscious state like Gujarat, saving 40-60% of your water is a major economic and environmental benefit. Furthermore, the ability to use fertigation saves labour and fertilizer costs, and the reduced weed growth saves on weeding expenses. The resulting improvement in crop quality and yield often pays for the system within a few seasons.
Your Path to a Profitable Harvest Starts Today
Chrysanthemum cultivation in Gujarat is a business of detail and diligence. It is not about simply planting a crop and waiting; it is about actively managing it through timely nutrition, smart water use, and crucial techniques like pinching. The demand is strong and consistent, driven by the very heart of Gujarat’s cultural and social life.
Your key takeaway should be this: Profit lies in proactive management. Don’t wait for pests to appear; monitor for them. Don’t let the plant decide its shape; guide it with pinching. Don’t just sell at the market; understand its rhythms and build relationships.
Start small if you must. Dedicate half an acre, master these techniques, and learn the flow of the market. The practical wisdom you gain from that first successful crop will be your most valuable asset. The journey from a single sucker to a field of vibrant, profitable flowers is a rewarding one. Begin today. Agriculture Novel across the social constellation Phro tends every channel — pick one and come say hello.

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