Retail Mum Care - Faribault Growers, Inc. - Home of Mums of Minnesota

Garden Mum Care

Below are some tips to keep your mum in top condition throughout the season.

Mums should be planted after the danger of frost has passed, and as soon as possible, after receiving them.
Mums should be planted in 75% to full sun and in well-drained soil. Water well after planting and continue watering as weather conditions dictate. Liquid fertilizer is advisable every 2 weeks, mixed according to the manufacturer's directions up until first color. A time release fertilizer (such as Osmocote) can be mixed in with the soil prior to planting.
After the plant has been in the ground for about 2 weeks, pinch the tip of the stem to increase branching. You may continue pinching the centers of the new growth until July 4th, then stop so your plant will produce buds for fall.
Mums are most susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and thrips. Consult your local garden center or extension agent for appropriate organic or chemical treatment, if needed.
To prepare mums for winter, do not remove this season's growth until cleanup next spring. A light mulch of straw or leaves is also advisable. In spring, uncover as weather moderates and clean up the previous seasons growth.
Plants should be divided every 3 years to keep the plants healthy and growing. Spring is a good time to do this. Plants should be dug up and divided into thirds then replanted.

Decorative mums are compact and rounded plants with a formal high petal count flower.

Football mums are an upright plant with a few large densely petaled flowers.

Novelty mums are for the most part sturdy, full plants with flowers forms such as quills, daisies, spoons and spiders.