A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 yellow mums

I bought these Mums at a grocery store. They are blooming now. I want to know should i put them in a bigger container. Also when the blooms fade,Do i cut the bud? How far should i cut? Do i add fertilzer? If so! What kind of fertilizer? Does it need shade or sun? How much water? Heres my pic !!

Hi Deb,

Lovely pot of mums!
It's best not to transplant when a plant is in bloom.

I think you mean the spent flower, not the bud. The bud is an immature flower and will become a flower. You can cut the spent flowers off.

You can cut just below the spent flower or to just above a leaf or to a part of the stem where you see a new bud or 'Y' junction of stems.

I suspect that there is a timed release fertilizer in the soil and you shouldn't need to add fertilizer, especially at this time of year. You could cause the plant to put out a new flush of growth that won't have time to harden off before a frost.

Full sun is best - 6 hours or more.

You may need to water every day. The pot size looks small for the size of the plant and I suspect it will dry quickly. Try and stick your finger into the soil up to your first knuckle. If it's dry, water the plant. Let the water run through the holes and don't let it sit in a dish of water for more than an hour. Take a look here.

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Chrysanthemum.htm

Enjoy,
Newt

Thanks Newt, For all your info you answered all my questions!!

Deb,

You are very welcome! Glad I could help.

Newt

your in TX.
your mums will bloom in may& and again at this time of year.I cut mine back and root the cuttings.I cut back in july& will be cutting back my yellows near end of next month.I just added some compost around them today.& I think I found something sprouting where my burgandy ones may have been(hubby mowed/weedwacked them to ground zero)They are easy plants for TX and once are settled in are drought tolerant.I don't suggest growing them where are in shade.My reds are in shade and are just now blooming& look leggy.they will be moved soon.good luck with your plant.