Mums are also known as chrysanthemums. They are very popular and decorative fall flowers. They are also tough plants. They can tolerate a variety of poor conditions. In brief, this is an amazing flower that will give you beauty without asking for much in return. If you to learn how to grow mums in containers, you should read the below information.
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Choose a variety
There are several species of Chrysanthemum. They originate from East Asia. Although all the species belong to the aster family, each variety has a unique shape, size, and color. The most popular and coveted variety is Grandiflorum.
Chrysanthemum is widely used to decorate porches, patios, balconies, and terraces. They are easy to grow and they don’t require much care. Mums are known for their beautiful blooming in the fall. They will provide you with an extremely pleasant view.
2. Choose a container
You should grow mums in deep pots. Preferably, you should ask about the depth of the pot you need for mums at the nursery store. The pot should also be well drained, loamy and airy. Once you have a pot with these features, you should fill it with a good quality soil.
It is also recommended that you add 1/3 of compost and other organic matter into the soil before filling the pot with it. After the planting, water thoroughly for the first couple of weeks.
3. Choose a location
One of the most important growing conditions of mums is full access to sunlight. Chrysanthemum requires a direct exposure to sunlight daily. Thus, you should place your container in a spot where your fall flower can get the amount of sunlight it needs daily. Mums need at least 5 hours of direct full sun daily.
4. Watering and Fertilizing
Mums require regular watering. Because of their shallow root system, they don’t tolerate drought and they can dry out really quickly. However, you need to water them carefully, overwatering is harmful to them. Therefore, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Mums are not heavy feeders but the require fertilization once in a while to promote the growth of healthy roots, bud development, and a vigorous plant. It is highly recommended that you apply 12-6-6 slow release fertilizer when your plant starts growing.
5. Pests and Diseases
There are a lot of pests such as leaf and stem miners, chrysanthemum eelworm, aphids, caterpillars, worms that can impose a threat to your plants. For diseases, the most dangerous ones are gray mold, powdery mildew, and root rot.
6. More tips
In order to grow mums in containers successfully, you should also keep in mind the following tip:
- Removing the faded flowers will encourage more blooms. It also helps to make the blooming season lasts longer.
- Remove dead branches and discolored leaves.
- IF you want your chrysanthemum plant to grow bushy you should prune it while it is still young. This will also improve its blooming.
These are the best tips if you wish to learn how to grow mums in containers. Fall these tips and you will have a beautiful blooming flower during the fall.