Mums bloom due to their photoperiodic nature. When the plant senses a change in the length of darkness in late summer, it begins to set buds. Planting near artificial lights, such as security lights or porch lights, can alter the bloom time of your mums. Does Spacing Really Matter? It can be tempting to plant mums closely together.
However, keep in mind that by fall, most properly planted mums will reach up to 3 feet in height and width. Like many perennials, mums will often become larger each year. Even if your flower bed looks a bit bare when you first plant your mums, in time it will fill in. Spacing mums properly is essential for plant health. Plants that are too crowded compete for nutrients, have root system issues, attract pests and suffer from disease.
Following the plant spacing directions for your chrysanthemum variety increases the health of your garden and protects your investment of time and money. Caring for Chrysanthemums Mums are generally considered low maintenance plants. Mums require even moisture for the best growth. Consistent watering throughout the spring, summer and fall is essential. Once the ground is frozen in the winter, watering can be suspended until spring warms the soil. Early morning watering, to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, is recommended.
The ideal watering method for mums is one that applies moisture directly to the base of the plants. This prevents moisture from becoming trapped in the thick foliage. Soaker hoses can provide even, consistent moisture directly to the ground, and a water timer saves you the hassle of having to remember to manually water.
Should Chrysanthemums Be Pruned? This helps the plant branch out, become fuller and offer more blooms. When your plant reaches 6 inches tall in the spring, simply pinch off 1 inch of each shoot. Repeat this every 2 to 3 weeks until early summer. Deadhead spent blooms throughout the fall for an extended bloom time. Once the plant has died in the winter, resist cutting it back.
Research reveals that allowing it to die back naturally over the winter produces a stronger plant. Simply clean up the dead stems and foliage in the spring.
Is Fertilizer Necessary for Mums? All plants require nutrients. Fertilizing your mums gives them an added boost of essential nutrients for the best growth.
The primary growth of chrysanthemum plant varieties takes place in spring and early summer. Growing chrysanthemums are heavy feeders. Consistent applications of quality fertilizers will help your mums grow larger and produce more blooms. Choose a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for monthly application from early spring through July. If you plant fall mums, wait to begin their fertilization until the spring. Fall fertilization can actually reduce the hardiness of chrysanthemums to survive cold winters.
The key to winter survival is a consistent soil temperature. Frequent freezing and thawing cycles damage the roots and confuse the plant. Adding a thick layer of mulch — up to 4 inches — can help maintain an even soil temperature throughout winter.
Other forms that don't fit into the 12 main types are called exotics. With more than species that include around 5, varieties, there's a chrysanthemum for nearly any garden. Early season chrysanthemums begin blooming first, usually in August. Among the varieties are 'Chablis,' a white decorative type with a creamy center; 'Goldstrike,' a golden yellow pompon; 'Grenadine,' a coral decorative; and 'Maroon Pride,' a dark red decorative type.
Mid-season varieties begin blooming in early to mid-September. Varieties include 'Autumn Fire,' a burnt orange decorative; 'Lemonsota,' a lemon yellow pompon; 'Mellow Moon,' a cream semi-incurved; and 'Royal Night,' a reflex type. Late season varieties begin blooming near the end of September and continue until freezing temperatures kill the foliage and flowers. Transplant garden chrysanthemums in spring. Your mums will thrive in a sheltered, well-drained location that receives full sun.
Prepare the garden bed by digging in 2 to 4 inches of compost and well-decomposed manure. Space the plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Take the plants out of the grower pots carefully; the stems are fragile. These are flowers that would be good to plant in a fall garden in the New Orleans area climate. They include: violas, petunias, snap dragons, chrysanthemum, dianthus, lobelia, sweet alyssum.
This is a mum. Question: I purchased a blooming potted chrysanthemum plant. How long do the flowers last? Will this plant continue to bloom through the fall, or is this a onetime shot? Should I discard it after it blooms or will it ever bloom again?
Answer: When purchasing chrysanthemums, select plants with mostly closed buds and healthy foliage. So every couple of years, lift the clump in spring, discard the old, woody center, divide the remainder into plants, and replant.
Many mums bloom throughout the fall months, but some species will provide blooms from late spring through the fall. In some cases, mum season varies according to the vagaries of the weather. According to The Southern Living Garden Book , "Sometimes mums are fooled by cool weather and short days into booming in spring. There are perennial varieties, and if those are planted early enough, they can usually be counted on to last through the cold months and bloom for years to come.
Plant young mums in early spring, if possible. In this case, it's the earlier the better, because mums need time to establish root systems in the soil. If buying mums to plant, check the tags, and be sure to select hardy mums or garden mums.
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