Tending to Blooming Mums in Pots
Tips from a Garden Professional for Nurturing Chrysanthemums in Containers for Stunning Autumn Blossoms
Whether you've just received a pot of these stunning fall bloomers as a gift, or are decorating entry containers with your pick from the store, it's essential to know how to care for mum plants in pots. With the right care, these late summer to fall-blooming beauties will often persist till the first winter frosts.
Although hardy, container-grown mums have distinct needs when compared to those grown in the ground. Here's a guide on pampering potted mums to have them blossoming beautifully year after year.
Selecting Your Mums
Munchkin-sized potted mums are the best choice when starting out. These affordable, smaller plants can adapt well to their new container. Garden-variety mums are more durable and better suited for outdoor containers as they can endure night freezes more effectively than florist mums.
When buying, opt for plants with some open flowers to gauge colors and multiple buds, but be on the lookout for broken stems and overall healthy plants. Froggily wet or overly dry soil indicates a stressed plant that may not survive transplanting.
Your patience may be tested as you wait for the ideal time to purchase mums. While you may be eager to snap up the plants as soon as they pop up in stores, it's best to buy when nights are cooler, and daytime temperatures are comfortable. This prolongs the life of the flowers and offers an easier transplant experience for the plant.
Caring for Your Potted Mums
Water your container mum daily, checking the soil's dryness at a depth of 1-inch (2.54 cm.). If your pot drys out excessively, give it a half-hour submerge in a bucket of water to reach the dry portions through the bottom holes. Keep an eye on draining if the pot lacks drainage holes, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
Hardy mums need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, although placing them under cover, you may need to transition them out into the sunlight for maximum daylight hours. Without sufficient sunshine, the colors will fade, and the number of blooms will decrease.
Regularly deadhead your mums by cutting spent flowers back to the next growth node. This process beautifies the container plant, encourages new growth, and redirects energy into flower production instead of seed setting. Use sharp scissors, pruners, or snips for the job; pinching off spent flowers with your thumb and forefinger also works well.
For overwintering your potted mums:
- In milder climates (Zones 7-9): Keep the plant in its container or transplant it to the garden. After stems die back, trim them to about 3-4 inches above the soil surface. Mulch around the plant and minimize watering during dry periods.
- In colder climates (Zones 5-6): Move potted plants to a protected area like an unheated garage or shed. Water sparingly, just enough to prevent drying out. You can also sink the pot into the ground and cover it with mulch. Cut back dead foliage in the spring when new growth appears.
If you can't resist buying your plants as soon as they're available, be patient and buy when nights start cooling and daytime temperatures aren't scorching. This prolongs the life of the flowers and makes transplanting easier. Follow these tips, and you're on your way to having a stunningly blossoming container mum!
- To ensure a vibrant and long-lasting display in your home-and-garden setup, select smaller, hardier munchkin-sized potted mums for optimal adaptation to their new container.
- Embrace a lifestyle that includes nurturing your home-and-garden endeavors by caring for your potted mums with daily watering, regular deadheading, and proper sunlight exposure, extending their blooming period and promoting continuous flower production.
