SAVING MUMS

SAVING MUMS

Some helpful tips

Determined to try to keep a chrysanthemum alive through winter? Here are some tips that might help. Just don’t get your heart set on it.

Choose the right spot: To rebloom, mums need full sun and well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter, in a spot where you can water regularly until the ground freezes.

Buy early: The plant needs time in the ground to build its root system. Look for a plant with buds, not blooms, to prolong the flower show. Or buy plants in spring. Even if they have been forced into spring bloom, they will have a whole season in the garden to grow roots (though they may not bloom again that year). You also can buy unforced plants by mail-order: Try Niche Gardens (nichegardens.com) or Bluestone Perennials (bluestone perennials.com).

Mulch: In November, spread about 2 inches of shredded hardwood, leaves or compost over the plant’s root zone, but not its crown.

Pay attention: Feed every second or third watering with a soluble fertilizer that has a balanced ratio of major nutrients, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20, says Tim Pollack of the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Ill. Pinch each major stalk back to a set of side branches about every two or three weeks until the middle of July. Then stop, or you will be pinching off flower buds.