As spring arrives, nature undergoes a significant transformation. Flowers begin to bloom, trees turn green and vibrant, and the air is filled with the refreshing scent of spring.
This season also has an impact on the appearance of mums. What do mums look like in the spring? Let’s dig in.
Do Mums Bloom In The Spring?
Yes. Mums, also known as chrysanthemums, are a type of flowering plant that typically blooms in the fall. However, mums can also bloom in the spring season.
If you want mums to be fully productive in the summer and autumn, you need to plant them at the perfect time. I usually plant them in the spring.
This will give them enough time to establish their roots and set buds for the next growing season.
Mums come in a wide variety of colors. In fact, they are one of the most colorful flowers you can grow in your garden.
The most common mums’ pop of color includes yellow, pink, red, white, orange, green, purple, and bronze.
What Do Mums Look Like In The Spring?
Mums bloom in spring and usually start producing buds from the base of the plant.
These flower buds will continue to grow and develop until they eventually bloom in the summer and the fall, when mums are known for their spectacular display of flowers.
What is a variety of mums that is best suited for spring?
- Shasta daisy, also known as Leucanthemum Superbum, blooms in late spring to summer and comes in shades of white. Its pistil is yellow, and its leaves have a dark green color. They are hardy perennial flowers that withstand cooler temperatures, making them ideal for spring gardens.
- Another variety of garden mums that can bloom in the spring is the Belgian. This variety has large, brilliant colors (red, orange, yellow, purple, and white) and is often used in cut flower arrangements. However, Belgian mums can be more difficult to grow than other types of spring mums and may require extra care to thrive in the spring.
- Korean Spice is known to be a mum variety suitable for growing in the late summer, but it has recently been bred to grow in the spring as well.
What Are Requirements When Caring Mums In The Spring?
Light
Chrysanthemums require hours of sunlight to thrive, so make sure to plant mums in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
While colorful flower heads can tolerate some shade, insufficient light can lead to spindly growth and reduced blooms.
Planting mums in spring requires open areas and avoids areas with additional lighting, such as night lights. It will expose mums to too much light and not be able to bloom.
Water
Consistent moisture is essential for the health of mums in the spring, but be careful not to overwater them.
Newly planted mums need at least 1 inch of water per week, which will increase as they mature. Especially in the dry season, the plant will need more water.
You should water slowly to let the water seep into the soil; avoid watering quickly because the water can flow elsewhere, making the roots not absorb all the water you provide.
Soil
Chrysanthemums prefer fertile and well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Humus is the best soil for growing mums since it can hold water long enough for the roots to absorb and can drain well enough that the roots don’t become waterlogged.
I have to add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage since my potting soil is heavy and doesn’t drain well.
Remember that if you choose soil that is too soggy, mums will have difficulty growing, especially in cold winter; the excess water can be frozen.
Fertilizer
Mums benefit from a balanced, controlled-release fertilizer in the spring to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.
You can apply fertilizer (balanced between N, P,K) according to the manufacturer’s instructions or use organic fertilizer instead.
During the growth of mums, I also apply soluble fertilizers to help the plant grow healthy and resistant to external agents.
Pinching & Spacing
To encourage bushier growth and more abundant blooms, pinch back the tips of the stems about 1-2 times when the plants are six inches tall.
Remember to stop pinching from July onwards because that’s when mums are self-stimulating blooms.
Pinching stimulates the plants to produce more branches, which means more flower beds.
When planting mums in the spring, space them at least 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and prevent disease.
Weeds & Pests
Like all plants, mums are susceptible to weeds and pests, which can compete with the plants for nutrients and cause damage.
To prevent weeds around mums, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to suppress weed growth and retain moisture.
Regarding pests, aphids, mites, and thrips are common problems for mums.
If you notice any signs of infestation, carefully treat the plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Should We Remove The Mums When The Hard Frost Comes?
No. If you still love those mums, it’s best to leave them alone and not remove them.
While the flowers may appear damaged or wilted after a killing frost in late winter, the plant’s roots and stems are still alive and can recover.
Once spring arrives, you can prune back any dead or damaged growth on the mums to encourage new plant growth and prepare the plant for the upcoming growing season.
So, it’s generally best to wait until spring to eliminate dead growth from your mums.
However, if you want to change other types of mums, getting rid of the old plants is not a big deal. You can throw them away and replace them with clusters of Chrysanthemums with other vibrant colors.
Common Problems When Mums Are Blooming And Ways To Handle It
Leaf Spots
Like the tiny black spots on pepper leaves, the white spots on mums may signal severe issues.
Leaf spots are a common problem when these perennial plants bloom, causing leaves to drop. These white fungus growths appear as circular spots on the leaves that may be brown, black, or gray.
The white spots (like on green bean leaves) may also have a yellow halo around them.
To isolate this disease from your mums, you can get rid of the leaves with spots, which can also prevent the spread of the disease.
Besides, apply wood mulch and provide proper care for mums in spring by regularly cleaning the garden.
Rust Diseases
Rust diseases are another problem that can occur when mums are blooming. These diseases appear as orange or brown rust-colored spots on the underside of leaves.
To handle rust diseases, you can pluck infected leaves and place the plants far away from each other for better air circulation.
I always water at the base of the plant instead of on the green leaves because water will spread diseases.
Mildew Disease
This fungicide powder appears as a white substance on the plant’s leaves. It works best in wet conditions.
To remove mildew disease, you can get rid of leaves with signs of mildew and avoid overhead watering, which can help prevent the spread of the disease.
Ray Blight
Ray blight appears as black or brown spots on the flower’s petals, causing the petals to become discolored, wilted, and damaged.
If left raw, ray blight can force the flower to die prematurely and spread to other flowers on the plant.
It’s best to practice good garden hygiene to prevent ray blight from occurring in the first place.
Keep the area around your mums clean and debris-free, and avoid overcrowding and overhead watering your plants.
Aster Yellows
Aster yellows is a plant disease that stems from a bacteria-like organism called a phytoplasma. The disease leads to yellowing and stunting of the leaves and distorted flower growth.
It can also cause the plant to produce small, greenish flowers with little to no color.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for aster yellows. If your mums are infected with aster yellows, the best action is to cut off and destroy the infected plant material to prevent the disease by burning it.
FAQs
Can I Grow Mums In Pots?
Yes, you can grow mums in pots. This can be a great option for those who don’t have a lot of garden space or want to enjoy the mums indoors. You can start by planting several cuttings in one pot.
It is important to choose a large pot to accommodate the mum plant’s roots. The pot should have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain away.
Will Mums Grow In Shade?
Yes. Some varieties are more tolerant of shade than others. Yet, they will still require direct light to grow and bloom (4-6 hours).
They generally prefer many hours of sun to grow and bloom to their full potential. In full sun, mums will produce more flowers and have a fuller, bushier growth habit.
Conclusion
What do mums look like in the spring? The growth of mums usually begins from the bottom part of the plant, where new buds or shoots start to appear.
The beauty of mums in spring is a reminder of how nature can inspire and bring joy to people!
