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.
When Should mums be trimmed back?
After the foliage of the plant has died back, you will need to cut it back. 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.
How do you take care of mums in the summer?
Care for mums in the summer is easier with mulch. Adding 2 or 3 inches of organic mulch such as shredded bark on the soil surface around the plants helps conserve soil moisture. Keep the mulch back a bit from each plant’s center to help prevent fungal diseases.
Can you cut back mums in August?
Even if they have already started setting flower buds you can still cut them back as late as July and still have blooms in the early fall. Just prune them down to about 12 inches tall and give them a dose of all-purpose liquid fertilizer to stimulate growth.
Should I cut back chrysanthemums?
In sheltered gardens half-hardy, early-flowering chrysanthemums can be cut back to the ground in autumn and left to overwinter in the garden. Otherwise lift them. You can either replant them into your greenhouse to continue flowering or cut them back to store over winter.
Can you cut back mums winter?
You may opt to wait and cut mums back in late winter or early spring when new green growth emerges or cut the plants back in late fall or early winter shortly after they finish blooming.
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.
How do you keep mums blooming in the summer?
Pinch each time the mums grow to about 6 inches high, reducing the stem length to about 4 inches. Pinching encourages branching, which results in more buds — but pinching after July removes the buds and reduces bloom.
Do 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 cut back mums after blooming?
After they finish flowering, garden mums should be cut back far enough to remove all of the faded flowers (about one-quarter their height). If the winter stays very mild, some mums will produce a few more flowers. In late January or early February, garden mums should be cut back to about three inches from the ground.
Can mums come back to life?
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. These people toss the mums in the trash once the blooms have faded.
How do you take care of mums in the spring?
The best solution is to plant mums in the spring. Buy hardy plants from reputable nurseries and set them out in mid- to late-spring. Keep them watered and start pinching back the plants to encourage branching in late May. Continue to pinch back new growth and flower buds until early to mid July.
