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It’s that time of year again! Fall mums have started to bloom and will be for sale in the next few days.
Their proper name chrysanthemums. Gone are the day when you would plant the chrysanthemums in your garden in the spring and tend to them all summer to have them flower in the fall. Now nurseries do all the work.
Nurseries begin by rooting cuttings in May and once the cuttings are rooted they are planted into large pots. They will be sold in mid to the end of June. When the cuttings are planted into the pots they are also cut back to about half their size. Depending on the weather, these plants may receive a second cut back in mid-July so that they have time to grow and set buds for around mid-August.
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There are many varieties and they bloom at different times. Most growers choose to grow a few early blooming mums and more mid and late blooming varieties.
The biggest challenge with fall mums is how we water them. In the they are on drip lines so they are watered right at the pot, but when we bring them home we have a tendency to water from above and over time the plant begins to split apart and get floppy. Mums are heavy drinkers and need to be watered daily to keep them looking their best.
There is no need to run out today and get our fall mums. There will be lots. Keep enjoying your garden and start planning your look for Fall.
Denise Hodgins is a professional gardening coach in London. Send your questions to coaching@diggendirtdesigns.com
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