Should I cut back mums in summer?

Many people use July 4th as an easy reminder date to trim back their mums. Really, the last part of June up to July 4th is a great time, but doing it much more into July risks your mum from not being able to re-produce blooms by Autumn's arrival.

How do you trim mums in the summer?

This procedure usually begins in spring when the plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall. Take a sharp pair of pruners and cut the entire plant back by about half. Repeat the process about 2 or 3 times over the course of the spring and into early summer. The rule of thumb is to make your last pinch by the 15th of July.

When Should mums be cut back?

It's always best to cut mums back every spring shortly after they first begin to grow. Timing is everything. If you don't cut mums back in early spring, then they are more likely to produce a premature and disappointing period of poor bloom in summer and a lackluster season of poor bloom in fall.

What do you do when your mums bloom in the summer?

Cutting Back And Pinching Blooms

Ideally, mums should be cut back and pruned starting in early to mid-June. This keeps the plant more compact and full of foliage. And in the end, results in a thicker, bushier plant with more shoots for blooms.

What happens if you don't prune mums?

If you don't prune them, all you'll get are tall, leggy plants the next year. Pruning is necessary whether you keep your mums in their pots or plant them in the ground, which you can do in U.S Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Tips To Help Mums Survive The Winter, Should I Cut My Mums Down In The Fall Time

Will potted mums come back?

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. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.

How do you care for outdoor mums?

Why are my mums blooming in July?

Early season mums will initiate flowering during longer days, and late season varieties initiate flowering when day length is shorter. Two of the most common causes of premature budding that are within the growers' control are stress from lack of watering or from lack of fertilization.

Will mums bloom in fall if they bloom in summer?

They have a wide range of bloom color, size and petal formation, but they also have different bloom times. Early bloomers will be in full flower in mid-summer while late-season bloomers will begin to show color in late summer to early fall. You can purchase blooming mums at any time of the year.

How long do potted mums last?

Garden mums may be grown in containers, or planted in beds with existing shrubs and flowers. Flowers generally last about two or three weeks, depending on the outdoor temperatures and how far along the blooming process was when the plants were purchased.

What do you do when your mums get too big?

Early spring is also a good time to dig and divide mums—right before new growth occurs. Dividing is usually a good idea every two or three years. Cut the clumps into at least fist-sized pieces. For large plants that seem to be dying out in the center, keep divisions from around the perimeter and discard the middle.

How do you winterize mums in pots?

Keep mums indoors until one week before the last expected spring frost. At that time, take the pot outdoors to its summer location for two or three hours, then bring it back indoors to its winter location. Each day, bring the pot outdoors and leave it there for an hour or so longer each time.

How do I keep my mums from getting leggy?

To keep them growing optimally, they should be planted in a full-sun location that receives at least six hours of direct sun per day. Plants requiring full sun that are planted in shady areas will often stretch for more sunlight and grow straggly. The soil should be well-drained and kept slightly moist.

Should you deadhead mums?

Deadhead often for lasting blooms. Take off wilted blooms and dead stems/leaves not only makes your mums look more beautiful, it helps your plant to bloom longer. Once your mums stop blooming, you can place them in the ground outdoors once the weather starts to warm.

Do you pinch back mums?

The first pinch is in spring when returning plants are about 8 to 10-inches tall. If you are planting mums in the spring, start the first pinch 2-weeks after planting. The second pinch is done around the summer solstice. This is the longest day of the year.

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.

Will mums live in the summer?

Although often seen in plant nurseries as container-grown specimens ready to flower in early fall, they are hardy perennial plants, so care for mums in the summer is important if you plant them in the garden.

Do mums need to be cut back in spring?

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.

Should mums be in the 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 you get mums to bloom twice?

It's possible for chrysanthemums to bloom twice a season. But it's uncommon, because it usually takes some serious human intervention to force blooms twice.

Why are my mums leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing Chrysanthemum Leaves – Poor Drainage

Garden mums that are planted in heavy soil or soil that drains poorly are not happy plants. The plants need well-draining soil to thrive. If the soil doesn't release water, the mum's roots drown and you see your chrysanthemum plant yellowing.

Can you save mums for next year?

Garden mums are a true perennial, and with a little fall preparation, can be kept and grown year after year. With a hardiness from growing zones 5 to 9, it is these mums you want to purchase and save! Floral mums on the other hand will not come back.

What's the difference between garden mums and hardy mums?

Garden mums are the same thing as hardy mums. Nurseries and garden centers have stopped calling them hardy mums overtime. Mums need special care to over make it through the winter. Mum overwintering is dependent on placement, pruning and conditions.

Can you keep potted mums inside?

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.