How To Grow Fall Mums Or Chrysanthemums
Even if you don't have a large garden, there is a fall plant you absolutely need - mums! These beautiful flowers are the calling cards of fall and are easy to grow.
You'll see them everywhere in daycare centers, garden centers, and even supermarkets this time of year.
The mums, also called chrysanthemums, are resistant to pests and diseases, so they require very little maintenance.
Brighten Your Space with Beautiful Flowers – Discover Top Varieties Today!
They also work well in pots and planters, and they come in many different forms, with large, lush blooms or daisy-like blooms.
They are technically perennial if you put them in the ground early in the season so they can establish their root systems before winter.
But if not, don't worry! They are cheap enough to be treated as annuals, so you can replant new mums next year.
Here's what you need to know to raise mums:
How to plant Fall Mums
Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and place the plant in the hole so that the top (where the roots meet the stems) is level with the soil, not deeper! Fill in the soil, water, and mulch to retain moisture and contain weeds.
How to take care of mums in the fall
Fall Mums don't feed well, so add compost when planting and then give them a general-purpose slow-release fertilizer in early summer.
Water regularly, especially when first planting, or they will wilt on hot days. To encourage a bushy plant with more flowers, cut the ends of each "twig" anytime from late spring to early July.
Do this several times a season, but no later than mid-July, or you will cut off the flower buds. If you don't like all that effort, it's okay to let them grow in a freer way.
Either way, don't expect to pinch to produce that perfectly rounded plant you brought from the nursery; they are treated with growth regulators to produce a mountainous shape.
If you keep them in pots or containers for the season, be sure to water them during the hot, dry periods of fall. Pots dry much faster than garden beds, so check them regularly so they don't wilt.
How do you divide mums in the fall?
If your plants become mushy or too crowded with other perennials, use a putty knife or putty knife to separate a piece of the plant with the roots, to repot elsewhere. Do this in early spring when you see new growth.
Can You Grow Fall Mums Indoors?
Mums need cold to start their flower buds, so you cannot bring them indoors as a houseplant.
However, you can buy mums from florists, which are grown in greenhouses and given as gift plants much of the year. You can plant them outdoors if you live in a warm climate (usually zones 7 through 9).
It's not necessary to cut off dead flowers to help them bloom longer, and will not create new flowers. Spend your time doing another fun thing in the garden!
Do mums in fall need full sun?
Yes! They need full sun, which is six or more hours a day. They can adapt to a bit of shade, but they won't flower well. If they start to get too shaded by mature trees, dig them up and move them in the spring.
How do you prepare mums in the fall for winter?
Leave the mums as they are for the winter. Place an organic covering, such as wood chips, around the base of the plant to protect it from temperature fluctuations.
In spring, trim off the dead parts. But do not rush to take mums in the spring if she has not immediately turned green.
It may be late spring before she sees any activity, so don't be impatient and shoot the plant out of her before giving it a go.
We hope you enjoy this video about how to grow Chrysanthemums from seed:
Source: ehowgarden
Did you find this post Useful or Inspiring? Save THIS PIN to your GARDENING Board on Pinterest! 
Once again, thank you for visiting our website!
We hope you've enjoyed exploring the content we've created for you.
Give yourself the chance to learn, get inspired, and have even more fun, keep browsing...
Last update on 2025-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
More Gardening Tips 👇🏼👇🏼