Last fall I took everything out of this bed and added compost. These mums have not stopped growing. They are waist high right now. Here is the problem...they are budding and starting to bloom. I was told to remove the first buds so they will be loaded with blooms in the fall. Lord have mercy, by the time I get them all removed, it will be fall! Now what?
Connie
If they are starting to bloom,then just let them bloom and as the blooms die just pick them off so more buds can grow.
This message was edited Jul 13, 2009 11:23 PM
I haven't grown mums in many years, but mine used to do the same thing yours are doing, so I cut the buds off and they bloomed in the fall like I wanted them to.
It's your choice...if you want fall blooms, disbud them now. Othewrwise, let them bloom :)
Thank you both for responding. I do know that the buds should be removed so it will be a mound of blooms for this fall. It is no problem with my smaller mums. If I allow these to continue to bloom, how will that affect them in the fall? Will they still be covered or bloom less?
Connie
I'm not positive about this, but I think they have one main bloom flush.
Mine always bloomed in the fall and by the time they were done, winter was approaching, so there was never any significant second crop of flowers.
Connie,your were suppose to pick them off back in May.It is to late now,you will have to let them bloom now because if you pick them now they will not bloom in the fall.So just let them bloom.Just remember this for next year.May of next year just pick the buds off so they will bloom for the fall.
Oh wow, RoseGirl. I have already started cutting. :( There were no buds on them in May. They are just now forming. I am in zone 5.
Since you are in a cooler zone it may work for you.It's worth a try.
If not, I can do it over again next year. Thank you.
You are very welcome.
