how to take care of mums outdoors

^{Other essentials in caring for mums planted outdoors include:}

• Give mums plenty of space. It's wise to plant your mums about 18 inches from other plants so their roots have room to expand.
• Water, but not too much. Water beneath the foliage at soil level, as watering the blooms and leaves can result in fungi. ...
• Deadhead. As mentioned above, removing wilted blooms and dead stems or leaves helps your mums bloom for an extended time.
• In colder climates your mums may need to mulched using leaves, wood chips, or straw. ...
• If frost gets your mums, don't fret. Just prune them back to the point there's only about an inch of stems above the ground, and leave the mulch remaining around ...

How often should you water mums?

• When first repotting your mum, give it a really good watering.
• Don’t let your mums get too dry or wilt between waterings. ...
• Water at the soil level (the base of the plant) and not on top of the foliage.

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When to water mums?

“You have your personality and your life, it mightn’t be time to go out clubbing yet but it’s a way of dipping your toe in the water and getting back out there.” The group is about not losing yourself after you become a mum, continuing to ...

How do you water mums?

How to care for potted mums

• When you buy potted mums from your favorite garden center (ahem), their roots are likely bound in the bottom of the pot. ...
• When repotting, use a good mix of potting soil that will allow plenty of drainage.
• Your mums want plenty of sunlight, so choose a spot that allows at least 4-6 hours of sun a day.

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How to keep mums from blooming too early?

Preventing Premature Budding in Mums

• Concerns with Premature Budding. There are three premature budding scenarios. ...
• Premature Budding in Cuttings. ...
• Causes of Premature Budding – Lack of Water and Fertilizer. ...
• Causes of Premature Budding – Cold Temperatures. ...
• Other Causes of Premature Budding. ...

How do you care for potted mums outside?

Although mums planted in a spring garden need 6 hours of sunlight, fall potted mums need bright but indirect light. Place them a few feet back from a south-facing window or anywhere in a bright location without direct sun. Keep the mums' soil continually moist, but not soggy, by checking it daily with your finger.

How long do mums last outdoors?

Depending on weather conditions and mum varieties, you can expect to get a good display of color for four to six weeks. Extended periods of hot weather will age the flowers more quickly.

Can I leave my mums outside?

Proper care keeps mums blooming longer and can allow them to survive in their pot for many years. Most mums are hardy outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, although some tender varieties can't survive outdoors in regions that experience frost.

How often do you water mums outside?

Unless the mum is in a very sunny and hot location, watering the plant well, once a day, should be sufficient. When watering, instead of pouring water through the dense flowers, water the plant's soil.

Do mums like sun or shade?

How Much Sunlight Do Mums Require? Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.

Do mums come back in pots?

You will have some buds on them by then, but don't worry. They will grow back and your plant won't look dead in the middle." Many people buy mums in the fall thinking the plants are annuals. These people toss the mums in the trash once the blooms have faded.

How cold is too cold for mums?

Different Types of Mums Given that plants in Zone 5 can withstand temperatures to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (and plants in Zone 3 can survive temperatures of -40 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit), these mums' frost tolerance is pretty high.

Can mums handle cold weather?

Mums are cold hardy to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive hot temperatures from 90 to 100 F, but they'll need plenty of water and a little shade.

Can mums survive the winter in pots?

With potted mums, the first key is to never let them endure a freeze in their pot or container. Mums can survive light frosts and cold fairly easy, but a hard freeze can kill roots in pots permanently.

How do you keep mums blooming?

Water—but don't overwater—your mums according to their growth cycle. ... Fertilize your mums in the spring and summer. ... Mulch matters. ... Pinch your mums, please. ... Cut back old stems. ... Don't forget to deadhead.

Will fall mums come back next year?

Because people often think that mums (formally called Chrysanthemums) are at best a finicky perennial, many gardeners treat them as annuals, but this doesn't have to be the case. With just a little winter care for mums, these fall beauties can come back year after year.

How do I keep my mums looking good?

1:523:58How to keep your mums alive for fall displays | Simple.Honest.DesignYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure you come down to where the pot is at the bottom and water them by their soil because allMoreMake sure you come down to where the pot is at the bottom and water them by their soil because all that water will rot all of the flowers off and they'll turn brown.

Do mums last in the fall?

Garden mums are a classic fall flower whose bright and brilliant colors make it garden favorite during the autumn months. Of course, if you want your mums to last through the fall, they do require some TLC. Whether you’re looking to plant your mums outside or you want to keep them indoors, here’s what you need to know about how to take care ...

Do mums need sunlight?

When you’re planting your mums in your garden, you want to be sure to choose a space where they’ll have plenty of sunlight available. Your mums will need well-draining soil to produce healthy blossoms, too. Schwartz Greenhouse has the garden supplies you need if you don’t have well-draining soil on hand.

How do I take care of my mum?

1. If you want to take care of your mums indoors, the first thing you should do is to make sure they’re in a pot with adequate room for their roots to grow. Also, the pot should be filled with a good potting mix that provides decent drainage.

How to keep mums from overwintering?

Outside in a shed will probably be too cold, so you may have to do this in your garage or basement. Insulate the pot by surrounding it with several layers of newspapers, or an old blanket. Don’t forget to water your mums during their indoor overwintering. 1-2 inches of water 3 times a month is usually enough, but don’t let the soil get dry.

How to keep mums in a pot?

Insulate the pot by surrounding it with several layers of newspapers, or an old blanket. Don’t forget to water your mums during their indoor overwintering. 1-2 inches of water 3 times a month is usually enough, but don’t let the soil get dry.

How long should I leave potted mums outside?

Leave them there for 2-3 hours, then bring them back in. Each day repeat this, and each day add an hour onto that time.

How long do mums bloom?

Different varieties of mums grow and flower at different rates. But in general, indoor mums only flower for about 1 month.

How to make your mum last longer?

Your mums will last longer if you actually take the time to repot them. 2. Next, make sure your mums are getting enough sunlight . Mums love the sun, so indoor mums will do their best if placed close to a window that lets a lot of sunlight in everyday. 3. Also make sure to give your mums enough water.

How to get rid of fungus on mums?

Also make sure to give your mums enough water. And don’t just pour water over the top of them and let it drip down into the soil. That’s just asking for the plants to develop fungi. Instead, water close to the roots of the plant, saturating the soil, not the leaves or too much of the stems.

What to use for mums in fall?

If you decorate for fall with pumpkins and gourds, choose orange, bronze, yellow, and creamy white mums.

How to make sure my mums are healthy?

Making sure your potted mums thrive starts with picking the right plant. Look for a plant with more buds than open flowers; it will last longer and the repotting process will be less traumatic for a plant not yet in full bloom. Speaking of repotting, it’s one of the best things you can do for your mums.

What do spider mums look like?

Spider chrysanthemums look a lot like the quilled and anemone mums. The only difference is in their thin, spider-like petals! Some of the most common spider mums are ‘Western Voodoo’, sprouting colors of orange and yellow, ‘Yellow Rayonnante’, showing off curvy petals, and ‘Seiko Fusui’, containing long, yellow, spider-like petals.

What is a quill mum?

Quilled mums resemble the single daisy type, only with the tubular petals. This is different from the full quill flower form, which is almost always seen only in florist, or decorative, mums. Some of the most popular varieties for quilled mums are ‘Mammoth Yellow Quill’, spikes of yellow, and ‘Seatons Toffee’, with red spikes resembling sparklers on the Fourth of July.

How deep should I plant mums?

Mums thrive in well-drained soil. If the soil doesn't drain well, add compost and mix it in to a depth of 8-12 inches for best performance. You could also grow mums in raised beds filled with a garden soil mix that drains well.

How to get the most from mums?

To get the most from your mums, choose cultivars according to their bloom times. It also helps to coordinate bloom time with the length of fall in your location. Most garden mums will withstand a light fall frost, but finding the best cultivars will let you enjoy them for as long as possible.

When should I plant mums in my garden?

If you want something more permanent and are willing to provide proper care such as mulching and pinching to encourage compact growth and more blooms, plant mums in the spring and allow them to get established in the garden. This will improve their chances of overwintering and reblooming the next year.

What are the colors of chrysanthemum flowers?

There are many species of mums, hundreds of varieties and thousands of hybrids, with blooms that can be as frilly as a cheerleading pompom or as dainty as a daisy. Mums come in a rich range of colors including white, yellow, orange, lavender, purple, red and bicolor.

Why do chrysanthemums need water?

Water chrysanthemums frequently, because they have a shallow root system that gets thirsty, fast. If the weather’s very hot and the rain scarce, they may need daily watering at the height of their summer growing season. Mulch around mums to keep the soil moister, longer.

How big do mums grow?

Growing Mums. Chrysanthemums grow 1' to 3' tall and get 1' to 2' wide, depending on the type . If you’re using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost.

What to use mums for?

Use them in the middle of sunny borders, cutting gardens and butterfly gardens. Mums contain substances that can be toxic to cats, dogs and horses, so keep that in mind if you have pets that might munch on them.

What are mums in fall?

Mums can give you color till the cold comes. Here’s how to make the queen of autumn gardens thrive. Chrysanthemums, nicknamed “mums,” are one of fall’s quintessential flowers. They’re usually the last plant to bloom before frost, ushering your garden into the big sleep of winter with a last bang of color.

What is the last flower to bloom in the fall?

Chrysanthemums, nicknamed “mums,” are one of fall’s quintessential flowers. They’re usually the last plant to bloom before frost, ushering your garden into the big sleep of winter with a last bang of color. There are many species of mums, hundreds of varieties and thousands of hybrids, with blooms that can be as frilly as a cheerleading pompom ...

Where did mums originate?

Mums 101. Chrysanthemums are an ancient flower, cultivated in China as far back as the 15th century. Flowers can be as small as a quarter or big as a dinner plate. They bloom in various shapes, according to variety.

How to keep mums in the ground?

Space garden-planted mums from 18 to 24 inches apart. Mulch around containers or in-ground plants to help them retain moisture.

What temperature do container mums like?

Temperatures. Container mums do well in either household temperatures or outdoor temperatures during fall days. But they like cooler temps, from 60 to 65 degrees, during the night, so consider moving plants on your deck or patio indoors if early frosts are predicted.

How much light do mums need?

Although mums planted in a spring garden need 6 hours of sunlight, fall potted mums need bright but indirect light. Place them a few feet back from a south-facing window or anywhere in a bright location without direct sun. Keep the mums' soil continually moist, but not soggy, by checking it daily with your finger.

When do mums start to grow again?

After blooming , mums won't begin growing again until the spring, so you can either discard the plants, transfer the containers outdoors or plant the mums in the ground, following these guidelines:

When do mums bloom?

Among the more than 160 species of mums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are varieties that bloom in spring and summer as well as in fall. But the bright flowers of fall mums, also called florist’s chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum), work especially well in containers. You can keep the mums indoors or outdoors for the season.

Can you keep mums indoors?

And if you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones from 4 or 5 through 9, depending on the variety , you can maintain the plants in their containers over the winter or transplant them to your garden to enjoy again the next fall.

Do mums need to be in darkness?

Because mums know to begin blooming in the fall when nights begin to get longer, they need a similarly long period of darkness indoors to stay healthy. Keep the plants away from streetlights if the containers are in your front yard or close your curtains at night if the plants face a window with bright lights outside.

What is a hardy garden mum?

The variety commonly called hardy garden mum (​ Chrysanthemum morifolium ​), for example, grows as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. When planted in spring within their growing range and given the right kind of summer care, mums become well-established and usually return each spring to bring their ...

What to do if a plant has fungal problems?

If a fungal problem is severe, remove mulch from under the plants to help the plants dry quickly after rain or watering. Advertisement. Mums are usually pest-free, but small, mahogany-tinted insects called chrysanthemum aphids might become a problem, sucking plant juices and slowing plant growth.

How to get mums to bloom?

Feeding, or fertilizing, mums during their growing season from late spring through summer also helps them put out strong growth and set lots of flower buds. Use a water-soluble, high-phosphorous fertilizer formula such as 5-10-5 to boost blooming, diluting the fertilizer by mixing 1 tablespoon of it in 1 gallon of water.

Why are my mums turning white?

You could see white powder from powdery mildew on their leaves, or gray mold could cause grayish deposits on the leaves and stems.

Why are my plants' leaves turning gray?

You could see white powder from powdery mildew on their leaves, or gray mold could cause grayish deposits on the leaves and stems. Keeping plants well-spaced for good air circulation and watering each plant at its base helps avoid these fungal problems.

How to get rid of fungus on plants?

If you see signs of fungus, though, it's best to remove the affected parts of the plants, cutting into healthy tissue behind the damaged parts. Discard all plant debris on a regular basis because it can harbor fungus.

When to pinch back laterals?

When new side shoots, called laterals, sprout at each trimmed tip, also pinch them back when they're 6 to 8 inches long. Continue trimming back new shoots as they appear until midsummer. Then let the plants grow without further cutting. This approach produces compact but bushy mums with masses of flower buds.

How to winterize mums?

The steps for wintering mums start when you plant them. Make sure that you plant your mums in well draining soil. In many cases, it is not the cold that kills mums, but rather the ice that forms around the roots if they’re planted in soil that collects water. Well draining soil is essential to successfully overwintering mums.

How to overwinter mums?

Well draining soil is essential to successfully overwintering mums. When planting your mums, also consider planting them in a somewhat sheltered location where they will not be exposed to winter winds that can decrease their chances of surviving the winter.

What to do with mums after they freeze?

After this, when wintering mums, it is best to provide a heavy layer of mulch over the plant after the ground has frozen. The mulch for winterizing mums can be straw or leaves. This layer of mulch helps to keep the ground insulated.

Do mums grow next year?

Leaving a little bit of the stems will ensure that next year you have a full plant, as the new stems will grow from these trimmed stems. If you cut the mums back to the ground, fewer stems will grow next year.

Can mums be overwintered?

Image by dpenn. Overwintering mums is possible. Because people often think that mums (formally called Chrysanthemums) are at best a finicky perennial, many gardeners treat them as annuals, but this doesn’t have to be the case. With just a little winter care for mums, these fall beauties can come back year after year.

How to get mums to produce buds?

Add a little fresh compost or fertilizer to the soil. Move the pot to the sun. Water thoroughly. Keep an eye on the plants and take extra care watering and watching for insects as the new growth establishes itself. As mums begin to grow through the spring and into summer, they're going to start producing buds.

When do mums start to grow?

As mums begin to grow through the spring and into summer, they're going to start producing buds. To get the most out of a mum, it's best to prune those buds, pinching them back until the time comes to let the plants develop new leaves, branches, and flowers. That way they'll look gorgeous next fall.

Is there a shortage of chrysanthemums in the fall?

There's no shortage of chrysanthemum sales around here in the fall. In fact, after a long, hot summer, many people can't wait to get rid of their spent annuals and replace them with colorful potted mums, already blooming and beautiful.