Table of Contents
How do you get seeds from mums?
Snip off the mum seeds with pruning shears and break them apart, spreading the seeds on a sheet of paper towel to dry out for a day or two before storing them in airtight jars. Purdue University recommends putting a scoop of powdered milk or rice into the bottom of the storage jar to absorb any excess moisture.
Can you plant mums from seeds?
Mum seeds are remarkably small. Chrysanthemum seeds need up to 16 weeks to flower when grown from seed. Most growers agree that starting seeds indoors—before all chances of frost have passed—is the best choice. Fill small germination pots with sterile seed starting mix.
When should mum seeds be planted?
Planting Mum Seeds Due to the long growing season required for mum seeds, it is best to start them indoors six to eight weeks before the date of the last frost or sow the seed in spring in a well prepared bed. Cover them lightly with mulch and keep the bed evenly moist.
Does mums grow back every year?
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. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.
Do mums grow from seeds or bulbs?
Technically yes, you can grow mums from seed. However, the process can take four to five months and can be very hit or miss when it comes to success. Most of the mums you see at the nurseries are grown from cuttings.
How do you grow a garden mum?
How to grow your best mums Plant mums in spring. Spring is the time to get mums in the ground. Divide frequently. For the most flowers, divide mums every spring. Choose a sunny spot. Always plant hardy mums in full sun and well-drained soil. Fertilize regularly. Mums are heavy feeders. Prepare for winter. Be patient.
Can mums survive the winter in pots?
Mums can survive light frosts and cold fairly easy, but a hard freeze can kill roots in pots permanently. Once potted mums have endured a hard freeze, their chances for surviving winter are slim. Cut mums back to within a few inches of the soil line before bringing indoors.
How fast do mums grow?
On average, garden mums will not start to set buds until the nights last about 10 hours long. Blooms follow in six to 10 weeks. Cool temperatures don’t bother mums, either.
Do mums like sun or shade?
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.
Can I plant mums in the ground?
Technically, however, they can be planted in your garden any time before the first frost of fall. This means you can try removing the mums from your pot and planting them in the ground in the fall. Plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot and water them thoroughly after planting.
Do mums need lots of water?
Both florist and garden mums make excellent container plants. Chrysanthemums love full sun and all that heat means they also need plenty of water. Give them a good soak after repotting, then water every other day or whenever soil seems dry. Try to avoid allowing your plants to wilt.
Do mums come back in pots?
Potted mums are autumn classics, with late-season color that boosts curb appeal or brightens a Thanksgiving table. Treat your potted mums with care, and they’ll come back whether you maintain them in the pot or plant them out in the garden.
How do you save mums for next year?
Cut back the stems of the mums to 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm.) above the ground. 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.
What do I do with my mums after they fall?
Shortly after Fall or in late winter, when the mum has finished blooming, ensure you cut the plant’s stem to 6 to 8 inches above ground level. However, if you find the dead stems of winter valuable to wildlife or of interest, you may choose to leave the stems intact until the spring growth develops.
Can mums grow indoors?
Potted mums are not the same as the hardy varieties that go into garden beds. Growing chrysanthemums indoors is easy and requires little special care beyond watering, good soil and drainage. Once the blooms are spent, you can keep the plant around for its deeply etched foliage.
Is a mum a bulb?
The mum bulbs are almost perfectly rounded when fully mature. They grow in a range of colors, and most of the flowers are yellow, red, white or orange. Many nurseries carry this plant well into the fall months, and it can easily be added to any flower or vegetable garden as a fall flower.
