Mums bloom the best when they have enough water, nutrients, and sun to produce flowers.
To avoid these problems, double-check that you are watering your mums on a regular schedule.
You should water before the soil dries out completely and give the plant a thorough soak with each watering.
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So one reason why mums dont bloom as expected is that theyre experiencing heat stress.
Mums that are exposed to intense afternoon light can have a shorter bloom cycle or scorched leaves.
Its important to keep the garden bed around mums clear of dead plant debris.
Otherwise, this decaying organic matter can play host to fungus spores that can infect your mums.
If you dont, the soil will likely become oversaturated.
This causes root rot and is a likely cause for the plant to start wilting.
Failing to Fertilize Mums
If you notice that your mums arent blooming, consider your fertilizing routine.
Garden mums grow best when fertilized regularly during the growing season.
Youre Not Pinching Your Mums
Its beneficial to pinch back your mums during the growing season.
To pinch back mums, wait until the plant is about six inches tall.
Repeat as the plant grows another six inches.
About 100 days before the plant blooms, you should stop pinching.
This ensures that no buds are removed and the plant has the foliage it needs for proper flowering.
For mums that bloom in September, stop pinching by early July.
Mums that bloom in October can be pinched as late as the end of July.
Ants are attracted to the secretion left behind by aphids.
One of the simplest methods ofcontrolling aphidsis to spray the plant with a hose to remove the small insects.
However, be careful with this strategy since mums are prone to fungal infection when foliage becomes overly wet.
Other options includehomemade spraysor chemical insecticides.
Since mums are prone to aphid infestation, you’re free to take steps to proactively reduce aphids.
One common strategy is to plant companion plants that ward off aphids.
Flowers like lavender and marigolds or herbs such as garlic and mint are excellent picks.
