The New York Botanical Garden didn’t just start growing traditional styles of Japanese chrysanthemum–called kiku in Japanese–on a whim. It’s a labor intensive process that the Japanese have been perfecting for centuries, passing down techniques from generation to generation. Some of the more complex display styles can take a team of gardeners almost a year to pull off, which also includes the fabrication of multiple sets of giant metal frameworks upon which the flowers are trained. Training the plant, forcing its buds, timing the blooms; kiku is most definitely not for novices.

Watch a short documentary about Fall Flowers of Japan and the art of kiku below.

I was in the Conservatory yesterday giving a tour of Fall Flowers of Japan and kiku, and we all agreed that these gorgeous, enormous chrysanthemums look like a sky full of little fluffy clouds. What do you think?

Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen

Ogiku display in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, 2008

After more than a week of counting down the classes and styles of kiku, these beautiful flower displays are back in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as part of Fall Flowers of Japan.

Come visit these extraordinary flowers, just 20-minutes from Grand Central to Botanical Garden station on Metro North‘s Harlem Line. While you’re here, you should also visit the sublimely beautiful Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, indulge in a delicious lunch at the Garden Cafe, wander along the Bronx River in New York City’s largest remaining plot of old-growth forest; the 50-acre Thain Family Forest, and marvel at the beautiful fall light as it plays off the Garden’s 250-acres. The Garden is never the same two days in a row, so come spend a day in one of the world’s greatest urban gardens, The New York Botanical Garden!

How do they do that? Learn how our horticulturists train the Ogiku kiku below.

How do you move a plant with a ‘thousand blooms’? Very, very carefully.

After months of attention, care, and careful training, this beautiful ozukuri, or ‘thousand bloom’ kiku is moved from the Nolen Greenhouses, to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory to become part of Fall Flowers of Japan.

Head below to see a slideshow of how this huge plant made its journey from the Nolen Greenhouses to the Conservatory.

Class 11 Spider chrysanthemum in the Nolen Greenhouses, 2010

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 5, the mesmerizing art of kiku returns to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as part of Fall Flowers of Japan. These Japanese chrysanthemums, trained into a dizzying array of styles and displays, are not to be missed. In anticipation, we’re taking an in-depth look at these fascinating flowers.

Learn all about the beautiful Spider, Brush and Thistle, and Unusual chrysanthemums below.

Shino-tsukuri display of kiku in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Courtyard, 2008

There are only three more days before the beautiful kiku join the serene Fall Flowers of Japan in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. On Wednesday, October 5, these specially trained Japanese chrysanthemums, or kiku will go on display. In anticipation, we’re taking an in-depth look at these fascinating flowers.

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A Class 9 chrysanthemum 'Trendy Time,' 2009

On Wednesday, October 5, dozens of Japanese chrysanthemums, or kiku, trained into a variety of styles and displays will join Fall Flowers of Japan in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory! Don’t miss this mesmerizing floral display. In anticipation, we’re taking an in-depth look at these fascinating flowers.

Learn all about spoons, quills, and anemones (chrysanthemums, of course) below.

Kengai display in the Leon Levy Visitor Center, 2010

On October 5, kiku will join Fall Flowers of Japan in the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory! Don’t miss these magnificent Japanese chrysanthemums trained to grow in a mesmerizing variety of shapes and styles. In anticipation, we’re taking an in-depth look at these fascinating flowers.

What grows up, must come down, at least when you’re growing kengai. Learn why below.

A Class 7 chrysanthemum in the Nolen Greenhouses, 2010

A display of kiku, the mesmerizing art of trained Japanese chrysanthemums, will join Fall Flowers of Japan in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory on October 5! In anticipation, we’re taking an in-depth look at these fascinating flowers.

Head below the jump to learn about pompom mums, and more.

An ozukuri display in the Nolen Greenhouses, 2010

A dazzling display of kiku will join Fall Flowers of Japan in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory beginning October 5. Don’t miss these magnificent Japanese chrysanthemums trained to grow in a mesmerizing variety of shapes and styles. In anticipation, we’re taking an in-depth look at these fascinating flowers.

One plant, hundreds of flowers. Find out how it’s done below.