Did you know that how and when you water the mums you having growing in pots and containers can play a big role in just how long their blooms will last? In fact – probably more than you could ever imagine!
As fall arrives in full force, so do all of the gorgeous flowering mums that help to decorate the season. Mums have long been the “unofficial” flower of the Autumn season, and it’s easy to see why.
With stunning blooms that can be found in a wide range of fall colors, mums simply light up the autumn landscape, no matter where they grow. They look right at home in containers on porches, patios and decks – or wherever you need to display them for a big splash of fall color.
Beyond their intense beauty, what makes mums so attractive for fall decorating is just how long their blooms can last. Unlike many other perennials that flower for just a few short weeks, when cared for properly, a mum can bloom for nearly an entire month. But the key phrase in that last sentence is “when cared for properly.”
Believe it or not, one of the most critical aspects of good care for mums is proper watering. Especially when it comes to potted mums. And not just making sure your plants stay hydrated – but in how you actually water them as well!
How To Water Mums In Pots For Longer Lasting Blooms!
#1 Water Your Mums Consistently
First, let’s cover the obvious – mums need to be watered regularly. More than anything else, they prefer soil that is a little more moist than dry. Because of that, they need to have regular hydration to keep their flowers blooming strong and bright.
If the roots of a mum are allowed to dry out, the plant will begin to struggle. And once the plant struggles, the blooms will suffer too. When roots dry out, they shrink and shrivel. As they do, it becomes harder and harder for them to absorb nutrients and oxygen in the soil to help power the plant. Without enough energy, the plant’s foliage and blooms then begin to wilt, dull and fade.
If you have ever come home to a hanging basket or container plant that has dried out, you know how lethargic its foliage and blooms can look. Of course, once you water the plant, it usually perks back up – but that doesn’t mean a little damage hasn’t occurred from the process.
Unfortunately, the stress of drying out, wilting and then re-hydrating takes its toll on flowering mums. The plant burns precious energy trying to recover, and all of that stress limits the life of its blooms. And if it happens regularly, it can shorten the bloom life by weeks.
Check Soil Moisture Daily – How To Water Potted Mums For Long Lasting Blooms
It’s important to check the soil moisture around mums growing in containers daily. Not at the surface, but an inch or two down in. This is where the roots get their water. You want the soil to be moist enough at this level to stick to your finger.
Although the finger trick for testing soil moisture can work, the most accurate way to know the moisture level is with a soil moisture probe. A moisture probe gives you an instant read of the soil’s moisture level. For mums, you want to see at least a 35% moisture reading. Anything less – and the plant needs water.
Instant probes are really the best way to take the guesswork out of watering. Not just for mums, but for any annuals or perennials you grow in pots and containers. It can be tough to simply know how moist the roots are by looking at just the soil surface. Many are multi-functional – giving instant reads for soil temperature, PH and sunlight as well. Product Affiliate Link : Soil Moisture Meter & Tester
Now that you know how much water to give your mums, it’s time to take a look at how to best provide them with that water. And although it may surprise you – how you water can make a huge difference in bloom longevity!
Never Water From The Top! How To Water Mums In Pots For Longer Lasting Blooms
Beyond keeping your mums consistently hydrated, how you provide them with water plays a major role in getting their blooms to last longer as well. Although the roots of a mum need to be moist, as it turns out, the blooms do not.
In fact, the blooms of mums do not like water in the least! Plain and simple, the more water that hits a bloom directly, the shorter its lifespan will be. Even more, the blooms will be far less bright the more water that hits them too. And yes, that even includes rainfall.
When a mum’s bloom gets wet, the intense color of the blooms slowly bleeds out from the flower. The more it happens, the more dull the flower will become. And if those blooms happen to get wet and then the sun hits them – the color will fade even more.
This is exactly why you never want to water your mums from above. Not with a hose, a watering can – and certainly not from a spray nozzle that can knock blooms from the plant. Instead, you want to water into the plant at the soil level – or even from underneath.
Watering Under The Blooms – How To Water Mums In Pots For Longer Lasting Blooms
Getting water right to the soil surface keeps the bloom safe. It keeps them from fading, it keeps them from being damaged – and it prevent mold and mildew from hitting them as well.
You can water from underneath by filling a container underneath your mum and letting it soak up. This is the best way – but let’s face it – that can be hard to do for many. Instead, by simply watering through the plant carefully and missing the blooms – you can successfully add weeks to the life of your blooms!
More Watering Tips & Tricks – How To Water Mums In Pots For Longer Lasting Blooms
When watering, it is always best to water with untreated well water, distilled water, or rain water. Unfortunately, municipal or city water often contains chemicals that can be harmful to plant and their blooms.
Untreated well water is fine, but avoid using it if it runs through a softener. Again. much like with the chemicals in treated water, the salt can harm the plants and blooms when it gets in the soil.
So what about the rain? Well, rain does come from above – and it will cause your blooms to fade more and can knock them off. That is why if at all possible, keep your mums out of the rain. It is far better to control the watering by hand – and again – doing so will add days if not weeks to your bloom’s life.
For even more mum blooming advice – check out our article : 3 Secrets To Keeping Mums Blooming Longer. Here is to getting the most from your potted mums this year – and to watering them well for lasting blooms!
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