What are the 5 Secrets to Beautiful Fall Blooms?
Secret #1 – By mid-summer, you will notice your mums starting to form flower buds. That’s when you know it’s time to prune. If you cut the mums back by the 4th of July weekend, it will force the mum to bloom in the Fall. That’s the secret to Fall blooms — use quality pruning shears, such as Fiskars 25-33 Inch Power-Lever Extendable Hedge Shear (9169)
Secret #2 – Apply water just after pruning because pruning causes a little shock to the mum.
What To Do After Fall Blooms?
Secret #3 – Keep the mum’s stems and foliage during the winter months. It may not look attractive, but it helps keep the plant warm and provides nutrients to the plant. Secret # 4 – In early Spring, begin looking for new growth. Small green leaves will begin to grow at the base of the plant. At this point, you can carefully cut off the dead stems. Do not begin fertilizing until the temperatures remain above 50 degrees at night.
Mums are very easy to grow, and will bloom every Fall if you know the 5 secrets to forcing beautiful Fall blooms. The following video shows our Magenta Mum in mid-Summer, before pruning:
The next video shows how to cut back the Magenta Mum, which forces beautiful Fall blooms:
Secret # 5 – During the hot summer months, make sure the chrysanthemum stays hydrated. If the leaves begin to droop or look dry (yellow/brown edges), water immediately! The end result is stunning mums that bloom in the Fall! Mums provide bursts of color! For beginner gardeners, this is truly the secret to growing mums!
For more on pruning, watch our Pruning Playlist! Check your local Home Depot, Lowes or online Burpee Gardening for their selection of chrysanthemum! To learn how to plant, fertilize and prune your way to a gorgeous garden, subscribe to our YouTube channel!
