The All-Inclusive Guide To Raising & Caring For Mums Flowers

One of the most well-liked flowers for autumn gardens, chrysanthemums are also known as mums flowers. Most mum plants are simple to cultivate because of their fundamental requirements: whole light, rich soil, sufficient drainage, and adequate air circulation. Hundreds of types are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and they all can produce blooms from the end of summer into the fall. In Asia, chrysanthemums represent life and rebirth; in Europe, they signify sympathy; and in the United States, they represent respect and dignity.

Basics For Caring For Mums

• Zones: 5-9 (some varieties to zone 4).
• Height/Spread: Varieties 1-3 feet/1-2 feet
• Flower Colors That Are: Blooms of the chrysanthemum plant can open in various hues, including white, yellow, orange, lavender, purple, or red. Chrysanthemums can also produce bicolor flowers.
• Exposure: During the growth season, they favor exposure to an abundance of sunshine. A plant that does not receive enough sun will wither and generate fewer flower heads. After the flower buds have formed, moving the plant to a location with more shade will help the flowers remain on the plant for a more extended period.
• Soil: Mums thrive on soil that is fertile and has good drainage. If the ground is suitable for growing veggies, it is also ideal for increasing mums, and this is a good rule of thumb.
• Bloom Time: September till the first frost. Flowering in these plants, known as short-day plants, is prompted by the shorter days in late summer and early fall. It is possible to induce flowering in a greenhouse with carefully regulated lighting artificially.

The Proper Ways To Plant And Care For Mums

When You Should Plant

When planting a perennial, do it in the early spring or at least six weeks before a frost that would kill the plant in the fall. If you grow your chrysanthemums in the spring, you will give them the most excellent possible chance of making it through the following winter. Plant them when they are flowering in the late summer or early fall if you want to use them as a splash of fall color in yearly arrangements.

Water

Because their root systems are so shallow, mums must be watered often, especially when the temperature is scorching. During the warmer months, applying a layer of mulch will assist in water conservation and help maintain a wet and relaxed soil environment.

Pruning

To promote branching and a more robust plant, pin the ends of the branches around one inch from the plant's main stem twice during the growing season. Pinch early bloomers, such as those that bloom in the middle of September, no later than the middle of June. Pinching can be done on October bloomers until the middle of July, with the general rule of thumb being not to pinch any closer than three months before the bloom.

Propagation

In the spring of every two to three years, they can be divided and replanted when they are grown as perennials. When new growth begins to form on the plant, dig up the plant and replant the new shoots on the exterior of the plant. Discard the core of the plant as it is withering. It is also possible to cultivate them from cuttings collected in the spring. Make your incisions slightly below a leaf node, then plant the cuttings in sterile soil. Before the new plants become established, they need to be maintained on a sunny windowsill where they will receive regular watering.

Fertilizer

Since mums are not heavy feeders, applying a diluted fertilizer many times before the buds begin to set is advisable. A fertilizer formulation with a ratio of 5-10-5 will significantly impact the production of flowers and overall growth.

Pests And Illnesses

They are susceptible to various diseases, including leaf spots, powdery mildew, and viral infections like mosaic and stunt. Steer clear of overcrowding and sites that receive excessive shade since both factors enable moisture to linger on the leaves and give a home to illnesses. Aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers, leafminers, plant bugs, and spider mites are all examples of potential plant pests.

Make A Fall Fairy Garden For Your Home

The following are some suggestions for cultivating chrysanthemums, which may be planted either directly in the ground or containers:

1. Because they tend to root only shallowly, they are ideal for growing in pots and baskets.
2. You may treat it as an annual in the fall and use it to replace annuals that bloom in the summer.
3. Because they come in many colors, you may use mums to add splashes of complementary or contrasting hues to the interiors and exteriors of homes and other buildings.
4. Because they can purchase them reasonably, they are an excellent option for significant clusters or repeating over an area.
5. Plant it close to other plants that bloom in the fall, such as pansies, coneflower, sedum, aster, and Bluebeard.

Garden Mum Vs. Florist Mum

The level of cold resistance that garden and florist mums possess is the primary distinction between the two types. The types of mums flowers known as garden mums are generally the types that are suitable for planting outside in gardens and are hardy in the zones in which they are grown. It is not recommended to transplant florist mums into outdoor soil because they are best suited for growing in containers indoors. Make sure that the type you buy is appropriate for both the place where you will use it and the purpose it will serve.