Mums are the quintessential flower of autumn, providing a vibrant burst of color as summer blooms fade. These popular fall plants are often sold in two stages: in full bloom or with tightly closed flower buds. This presents a common dilemma for consumers who must choose between the immediate visual impact of open flowers and the promise of a longer display from a plant still in bud.
Immediate Advantages and Trade-Offs of Buying Bloomed Mums
Purchasing a fully bloomed mum offers the advantage of instant gratification for your seasonal display. This provides immediate visual impact and guaranteed color, useful for quickly decorating a porch or entryway. Buying a plant with open flowers also removes guesswork regarding the exact shade and size of the bloom, ensuring the color matches existing decor.
The primary trade-off is a significantly shortened overall display life. A mum in full bloom has already expended much of the energy stored for its flowering phase. The plant’s peak has passed, meaning the blooms will fade and drop sooner than a plant with unopened buds. While chrysanthemums can bloom for four to six weeks with proper care, buying a plant already covered in open flowers can cut that viewing time in half or more.
How to Select the Healthiest Bloomed Plant
When buying a bloomed mum, a careful inspection is necessary to maximize its longevity. The most important selection factor is the ratio of unopened buds to spent flowers. Always look for a plant that has a high number of tight, green, unopened buds, even if some blooms are open, as these will continue the color show for weeks.
Avoid any plant that shows signs of stress, such as yellowing, browning, or wilting foliage. The leaves should be a deep, lush green, indicating good health and proper watering. Inspect the base of the plant for a dense, brittle, or matted root system. This indicates the plant is severely root-bound and may struggle to absorb water effectively. A healthy plant will feel firm and upright, without slimy or crumbly flowers, which are signs of decline.
Extending the Bloom Display After Purchase
To maximize the viewing period of your newly purchased chrysanthemum, proper post-purchase care is necessary. Mums are thirsty plants, especially when actively flowering in a confined nursery pot. Consistent watering is important; the soil should be kept uniformly moist, but never waterlogged, which can lead to root rot.
Placing the mum in the right location also helps extend the bloom time. Mums prefer bright light and require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flower production. However, flowers age more quickly in intense heat. Therefore, a spot that is cool and bright, with some afternoon shade, is ideal for prolonging the life of the open blooms.
Regular deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, keeps the plant tidy and encourages further blooming. By pinching or cutting off the faded flower heads, you prevent the plant from diverting energy into seed production. This allows energy to be channeled into developing any remaining unopened buds. Although garden center mums are technically perennials, they are often treated as annuals. This is because they are usually planted too late in the fall to establish the robust root system needed to survive winter.