Mums are the autumn star performers. Having chrysanthemums, aka mums, in my garden decorates my surroundings. They require watering at least once daily because they dry out pretty fast. They frequently give up and perish after the constant stress of drying out.
People have always asked me, “how often and should I water my chrysanthemums?” I’ll share all the details with you so you can grow your Mums right in the comfort of your home and care for them properly.
How Often Should You Water Your Mums?
Grown mums should get two or three times a week of direct soil watering. Newly planted or replanted mums need regular watering until they are well-grown. Although not to the point of oversaturation, mums prefer damp soil between each watering. Between each watering, you should keep the soil from drying out.
When the foliage is thick, green, and capable of standing up, you will know they have received enough water. The vegetation will grow well throughout the growing season, and the blooms will appear hydrated and healthy.
Signs Your Mum Needs Water
Crispy, dried brown leaves that indicate overexposure to the sun and dehydration are warning signs that your mums need to be watered. If the soil has dried out, the greenery may also seem wilted. Although it shouldn’t be very wet, the soil will appear dehydrated. On the other hand, Mum’s leaves will begin to fade and turn discolored if it is overwatered. When this occurs, it may be an indication of oversaturation-related root rot.
Overwatered mums may find it difficult to recover. To prevent this, ensure that potted mums are kept in areas with good air circulation. They should receive 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. They should also be kept in pots with drainage holes on the bottom.
Tips On Purchasing Mums
Here are some essential tips about purchasing Mums. From the moment you buy them, care begins. The purchasing tips include:
- Look for plants with robust foliage and no wilting leaves or blossoms. No evidence of disease or insect damage.
- Instead of florist mums, which can’t withstand harsh winters, choose mums marked as “hardy mums.” When they stop blooming, Hardy-type mums form rosettes at the crown, which can be used to tell them apart. Save your time putting the plant in the garden if this rosette forms.
- The plant’s soil must not be dry but moist instead.
- If you buy locally-raised mums from a farm or nursery, you can be sure that the cultivars are appropriate for your growing area. It is crucial if you plan to move the mum into your flower bed outside or show the potted plant there. Unlike florist mums, which are only grown indoors, garden or hardy mums can withstand cooler outside temperatures.
- Choose a plant that is densely covered in tightly closed, unopened flower buds rather than one that has fully bloomed for prolonged enjoyment. Over several weeks, the buds will blossom, giving rise to a steady display of lovely flowers.
- Choose a variety of mum kinds that bloom at various times from late summer to mid-fall to keep your outside space covered in flowering mums all season.
- Are you searching for something unique? Mum variations come, in addition to the typical ones, with overlapping ornamental petals and variously shaped blooms. As these cultivars can’t endure cold weather, you can choose exotic florist kinds with a pompon or single, daisy-like flower for inside use or as a temporary outdoor adornment for the fall.
How to Care For Potted Mums
If you own potted Mums, here are some care tips for your plants. Here are some care tips I use for my plants:
- The roots of the mums you purchase in pots from your favorite garden center are probably tied to the bottom of the pot. Your mums will have more area to flourish and will likely last longer if you plant them in a larger planter.
- When you repot your plant, be sure to loosen the root ball gently.
- If repotting, use a good mix of potting soil, allowing plenty of drainages.
- Mums require plenty of sunlight, so make sure to choose a position that will enable them to get at least 4 – 6 hours of sun per day.
- Once you select the ideal location to showcase your mum, place a tray under the flower pot to maintain the soil moist. Between waterings, keep the plant from becoming very dry or wilting.
- Watering the plant once a day should be sufficient unless the mum is in a scorching and sunny environment.
- When watering, dampen the soil around the plant.
- Mums grown in containers do not require fertilization, but once per week, you can add a water-soluble plant food when you water.
- Placing your outside potted mums in outdoor containers shield them from the weather.
- To enable the plant to survive cool nights, you can dig a hole in the ground and place it inside a nursery pot. A slight fall frost should not harm most garden mums. When there are freeze warnings, cover the plants at night.
Planting Your Mums In The Flower Bed
Mums, the flower you and I love so much because their wonderful palette of colors is easy to transfer from your pot to your garden. A few tips to ensure a successful transition include:
- Always remember, while choosing where to plant mums, require enough sunlight daily.
- Ensure to dig the hole 2x the width of the pot.
- Even at ground level, place the pot in the hole. Then, backfill with garden soil to ground level.
- Following the label’s instructions, water with flower and vegetable water-soluble plant food.
- Add to it a 3″ layer of mulch.
- Until established, water as often as necessary.
Reasons Your Mums Are Turning Brown/Yellow
Mums’ foliage is often a reliable indicator of what the plant requires. If the leaves are fading to brown or yellow, it could mean a few different things. Mums appreciate direct light for four to six hours a day. However, too much of it or prolonged exposure to the harsh sun will dry out and burn the leaves. If this is the case, try transferring your mums to shaded areas during the warmest times of the day.
Your mum’s foliage may become discolored if there is a buildup of moisture or too much water around the roots. Mums prefer to have adequate moisture. However, excessive moisture or exposure to high humidity can destroy the roots and foliage, turning them brown or yellow. Finally, your Mums may need more water or receive it improperly.
To keep mums at their ideal hydration, hydrate them two to three times weekly. Ensure you water your mums at the soil level because soaking the foliage in water may weaken and wilt the plant. Chrysanthemums are stunningly attractive plants that bloom in an array of jewel tones. Knowing their watering requirements and other growth factors that may affect the quantity of moisture in your mum will help you do this effectively and achieve the desired outcome.