Growing from mum seeds is easy and can prove quite an adventure due to the uncertainty of the type of bloom. Due to the long growing season required for mum seeds, it is best to start them indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost or sow the seed in the spring.
Mum seeds can be sown in spring or fall, depending on the weather conditions. The best time to sow them is in early spring, when the temperature is warm enough for the seeds to germinate. Sowing them in fall or early winter is not recommended, as they will not be able to withstand the cold weather and will die.
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How long does it take mums to grow to full size?
They are typically grown as annuals, although they are technically perennial within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In just 10 to 15 days from the seed, mum seeds will grow.
Mum seeds are available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. below)
- The most common colors are red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
- Pink
- Brown
- Black
- White
- Gray
- Or white-brown
Some varieties are also available with a black seed coat. Mum seeds can be stored for up to two years in an airtight container at room temperature.
What month do you plant mums?
If you’re growing a mum as a perennial, it’s best to plant in early spring or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you’re using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they’re flowering in the late summer or early fall.
Do mums like sun or shade?
The plants love the sun. They only need 6 hours of sunlight a day, but the more light they get, the better their growth and bloom. In warmer gardening zones, slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate to allow the plant to receive the maximum amount of light.
In cooler zones, it’s best to keep the plants in shade during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its strongest. Lily care is similar to that of a sunflower, with the exception that they require less water and less care than sunflowers. They do, however, need to be pruned regularly to prevent over-watering, which can lead to root rot and other problems.
To prune a lily, you can use a pair of tweezers or a garden shears to remove the leaves from the stem. You can also cut off the stems at the base of each leaf, leaving just the top. The leaves should be left in place until the next growing season, when they can be removed and replaced with new ones.
Do mums spread?
Mums steadily spread but tend to die out in the centers. Lift the clump in the spring, discard the old center, divide the rest into three to four plants, and replant. You want to encourage new growth by removing the wilted blooms.
Can mums grow in pots?
Mums do best in well-drained soil so use potting mix in your container. If you want to grow mums in pots for a single season, you can mix them with other plants in the same pot. You can also add a layer of mulch to the bottom of the pot to help prevent root rot.
Should you plant mums in the ground?
It’s not hard to find mums in fall colors of yellow, bronze, purple or burgundy, but they also come in white, pink and red. These plants can be planted in containers, hanging baskets, or stuck into the ground to fill gaps in the garden. Do not expect them to survive the winter, regardless of how they are used.
