Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are the defining bloom of autumn, providing color when most other garden plants fade. These dense, mounding flowers are photoperiodic, initiating flowering in response to the shorter daylight hours of late summer and fall. Timing the purchase of a chrysanthemum is crucial for maximizing the duration and intensity of its display. Extending their bloom life depends on selecting a healthy specimen at the optimal time and providing specific care.
Optimal Seasonal Timing for Purchase
The most opportune time to acquire chrysanthemums is typically in mid-to-late September, though they often appear in garden centers much earlier. Retailers start stocking inventory as early as late August to capture the first wave of fall decorating enthusiasm. However, buying too soon, when daytime temperatures remain high, can significantly shorten the bloom period. Mums thrive in cooler conditions, and prolonged exposure to summer heat causes flowers to age prematurely. Waiting until the intense summer swelter has passed ensures the plant begins its display in its preferred temperature range of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The deadline for purchase and planting, especially if you intend to overwinter the plant, is well before the first severe, ground-freezing frost.
Selecting Mums for Maximum Bloom Life
Extending the visual display begins with a careful inspection before purchase. The most significant factor for a long-lasting bloom is choosing a plant with a high ratio of tight, unopened buds to open flowers. A mum covered in fully open blooms offers instant color but will fade quickly, sometimes within a week or two. Ideally, look for a plant that has only about one-third of its buds showing color or just beginning to break open. This selection ensures a continuous flowering cycle for four to six weeks.
Beyond the buds, scrutinize the foliage for signs of health, looking for lush, compact growth with deep green leaves. Avoid plants exhibiting yellowing leaves, which can signal nutrient deficiency or stress from improper watering. Gently check the soil and, if possible, the root ball. Healthy roots are white and fibrous, while a severely root-bound plant with roots circling tightly may struggle to absorb water efficiently. A healthy plant provides a better foundation for a long and vibrant autumn display.
Immediate Post-Purchase Care and Display
Upon bringing a new chrysanthemum home, immediate attention to its basic needs will help prevent stress and prolong its bloom. Mums are thirsty plants because their dense root structure quickly dries out the soil in their nursery pots. Check the soil moisture and water thoroughly, possibly by soaking the pot in water for 20 minutes to allow the roots to rehydrate from the bottom up. Maintain consistently moist soil, watering deeply every other day, as letting the plant wilt even once can compromise future blooms.
Place the potted mum in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient light can result in sparse flowering and leggy growth. As blooms fade, practice deadheading by pinching or snipping off the spent flower heads just above the next set of leaves. This redirects the plant’s energy toward developing new buds, encouraging a longer, more robust flowering period.
Transitioning Mums from Potted Display to the Garden
For those wishing to save their plants, it is important to distinguish between hardy garden mums and less-hardy florist varieties, the latter of which are often treated as annuals. Garden mums are perennial in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9 and can be transitioned into the landscape for next year’s blooms. To give the plant the best chance of survival, it should be planted in the ground at least six to eight weeks before the ground freezes solid, allowing time for root establishment.
Choose a site with well-drained soil and full sun exposure, digging a hole twice as wide as the root ball to encourage outward root growth. Once the plant finishes blooming, resist cutting back the foliage until spring; the remaining stems and leaves act as natural insulation for the crown and root system. Applying a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the plant base after the ground has frozen provides additional thermal protection.