How to Care for Mums in Bloom
- 1). Plant mums in an area that receives a full six to eight hours of daily sunlight. Place potted indoor or outdoor mums in a location with all-day direct sunlight. Lack of sunlight causes weak growth and poor flowering.
- 2). Water as often as necessary to keep the soil moist but avoid over-watering that makes the soil waterlogged and soggy. Garden mums typically require weekly watering during the flowering period. Potted mums may require watering as often as daily, depending on how quickly the soil dries out.
- 3). Fertilize the mums in late August, just before the plants begin blooming. Apply 3 lbs. of a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10, to every 100 square feet of mum bed.
- 4). Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage flower bud production through the end of the blooming season. Pinch off wilted flowers above the topmost set of leaves. Dispose of the removed flowers.
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