What to Do with Potted Mums After Blooming
09.10.2023 - 11:01
/ balconygardenweb.com
/ Sheri Dorn
What to Do with Potted Mums After Blooming? If you think the end of the blooming season spells the end for your mums, think again! The journey of these hardy plants is far from over, and what comes next might surprise you.
Before we dive into post-blooming care, take some time to enjoy the beautiful flowers on your potted mums. Mums typically bloom from late summer into the fall, adding a burst of color to your outdoor space. You can also cut some blooms to create colorful indoor arrangements to brighten up your home.
Trim back the dead blooms and any wilted leaves, reducing the stems to about 3-4 inches above the soil. After pruning, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to promote new growth.
If your mums are outdoors, bring them inside before the first frost. Place them in a cool, dark area, such as a basement or garage.
Note: If you live in a tropical climate, then just keep the plant as it is outdoors, Just trim down the spent blooms. Also, trim back the stems to about a third of their length. This helps the plant focus its energy on root development and new foliage.
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Add compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil.
Remove the mum from the pot and place it in a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Fill the hole with soil and water thoroughly.
Cut the stems back to 3-4 inches and apply mulch around the plant to protect it from winter frost.
If you don’t wish to keep your mums, the plant material can be added to a compost pile, contributing valuable organic matter.
Gather the plant material, chop or shred it for faster decomposition, and mix it with brown materials like leaves or straw. Maintain proper moisture levels, turn the pile regularly, and be