Mums are some of the most popular plants in the world. As September approaches, mums become incredibly common as you can find them almost anywhere you look. They can be found at gas stations, at nurseries, and in supermarkets.
But, while it may seem like a wise idea to bring the mums home, you should know that they are likely to die if they do not receive appropriate care.
For instance, the mums are likely to dry out very quickly, and if they are exposed to repeated stress due to drying out, they are eventually going to die.
But, with a little bit of care, you can easily make these plants thrive, and more importantly, you can also make them rebloom throughout the year!
There are several important things that you should keep in mind if you want the mums to rebloom. Here are some key things to consider when bringing mums home and caring for them.
1 – Always Get a Strong Plant
You should know that if you want to increase your chances of the mums reblooming, one of the most important things to keep in mind is to choose a plant that is strong enough.
If the plant has already dried out several times before you decided to bring it home, it’s going to be difficult for you to make the plant bloom, or rebloom for that matter.
If you buy a mum at a major nursery or a store, it is important to check whether the plant is in good condition. Many plants sold at supermarkets are generally underwatered.
It might be a wise idea to ask the manager just when the last shipment was brought in, and you should generally try to buy the plant on the same day that it was brought in, or one that was brought in a few days ago.
A close look at the leaves of the plant will give you a better idea; always go for a plant that has deep green leaves. They should be perky, and if they are too droopy, it shows that the plant is dry.
While there are people who try to overwinter the mums, you should know that it’s a bit difficult. In most cases, the mums are likely to die during the first frost.
2 – Repotting Them
If you want your mums to rebloom in the same season, it is important that you repot them as soon as you bring them home. This is perhaps the single most important thing that you can do.
By the time you bring the mums home, you should know that most of the plants are completely bound by their roots.
This means that the roots of the plant have taken up space throughout the pot, and it’s going to be difficult for the plant to thrive.
To preserve your plant, you need to transplant it into a pot that has fresh potting soil. Use a new, bigger container so that the plant is able to grow quickly.
Make sure you break up any roots that you can before you put it into the new pot. The surface of the soil should always rest at least an inch below the lip of the new pot when you transplant the mums.
Then, once you have carefully put the plant in, it’s best to cover the root ball with potting soil.
3 – They Need Sun
One of the things that you should know about caring for the mums is that they need a lot of sun. Mums absolutely love the sun, and it is one of the main reasons why you often see them out and about. They can easily grow in areas that receive at least four hours of direct sunlight.
During the fall, the amount of sunlight decreases as the days become shorter, and the sun also changes its position, so you need to reposition the plant and move it to a location where it is going to receive the maximum sunlight.
Ideally, you have to make sure that the plant receives its bare minimum of four hours of sunlight throughout the course of the day.
4 – Watering the Plant
As mentioned, the mums can simply not tolerate the soil becoming completely dry. When the leaves begin to droop, which is going to happen very quickly if you do not replenish the water, you should know that the plant will begin to die. Before the plant reaches that point, it would be best if you added the water.
One of the best ways to determine whether your plant is dry or not is to stick your finger in the soil. If you notice that the soil is wet, you can hold off on the watering for a day or two.
If you notice that the soil has become dry, you need to add water. It’s recommended that you repot the plant right after you buy it to ensure that there is enough space in the soil.
Ideally, you should water the mums all the way until the water begins to pour out from the bottom of the pot. If the plant becomes excessively dry, you will have to rehydrate the dry soil.
To do that, you will have to put the plant in a bucket with a few inches of water and then leave it for a few hours.
The plant should soak properly, but you have to take it out after three or four hours, as the plant is susceptible to drowning.
5 – Deadheading
One of the best ways to ensure that the plant reblooms is to deadhead. Deadheading is the practice of removing the dying flowers from the plant. It might seem like a tedious chore that needs to be done around the house or your garden, but it is one that carries paramount importance.
When you do not deadhead the mums, the plant continues to pour in energy to maintain the dying flowers for a longer period of time. This also reduces the flowers that bloom for the first time.
But, if you remove the dying flowers, the plant is going to benefit from this, as it is going to look considerably better and will also be able to divert its energy to maintain the bloom and make new flowers.
6 – Divide
Another thing that you should know about these mums is that they can be easily transplanted, and many nurseries already divide the plants into smaller ones.
This makes them more impressive and also improves their aesthetic appeal, making them look better. If you have mums in the house, you can break them down into smaller plants.
When the plant is repotted, you will essentially grant it a new leash on life, and this is going to ensure that the plant begins to rebloom.
Again, the key to reblooming the mums is to make sure that you choose bigger pots for it, because the plant is going to become rootbound very soon. These are fast growers, and it is important that you provide adequate care if you want the plant to sustain itself.
These are just a few things that you should know about reblooming the mums and how to care for them.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.