By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent
When buying a mum for fall color, look for the plant with tight buds that haven’t flowered yet. Choose the variety you want based on the ones close to it that have already bloomed. This will help you have flowers for at least a month after you bring your mum home.
Another key to making your mum last longer is keeping it watered. You can place the mum in a larger pot once you bring it home. This will help it retain more water. If you leave it in its original container, check the soil at least every other day by simply putting a finger into the soil, at least to the first knuckle. If the soil is dry, your mum needs water.
When you water your mum, make sure the water gets good contact with plant roots and the soil. Either water bottom-up in a pan or pail of water, or from the sides of the pot with a watering can or garden hose. Watering overhead on the leaves or buds of the mum will cause them to deteriorate more quickly. Also, don’t allow your mum to stand in water very long, as this can cause problems such as root rot. Once flowers begin to fade, “deadhead” or pick off the fading blooms, which will promote new growth and make the plant look healthier, helping to prolong the plant’s beauty.
More information on fall gardening, is available at the Carter County office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
Upcoming Ag Extension Events
- Monday, November 1st @ 6:00 PM @ Carter County Extension Office – Ag Advancement Council
- Monday, November 1st @ 7:00 PM @ Carter County Extension Office – Ag Development Board
- Tuesday, November 9th @ 6:00 PM @ Wolfe County Extension Office – East KY Hay Contest Awards
- Saturday, November 13th @ 9:00 AM @ Morehead State Farm – Yak Research Husbandry Conference
- Thursday, November 18th @ 6:00 PM @ Carter County Extension Office – Northeast Area Livestock Association