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How to Care for Belgium Mums
How to Care for Belgium Mums. Chrysanthemums, otherwise known as mums or chrysanths, come in a great variety of shapes, sizes and growth habits, but Belgian mums, occasionally called Belgium mums, are some of the most durable and prolific bloomers of them all. These mums produce a multitude of blossoms on each mounding plant and offer early-, mid-...
Chrysanthemums, otherwise known as mums or chrysanths, come in a great variety of shapes, sizes and growth habits, but Belgian mums, occasionally called Belgium mums, are some of the most durable and prolific bloomers of them all. These mums produce a multitude of blossoms on each mounding plant and offer early-, mid- and late-season varieties. With their various blooming times and colors, the dozens of Belgian mum varieties can create an extended-season, colorful flower garden for your fall landscape. The key to caring for these perennial plants is to provide plenty of moisture and fertilizer for vigorous growth.
Things You'll Need
Fertilizers (20-10-20 and 15-5-30)
Plant Belgian mums in a full-sun location in well-draining soil. Ideal soil temperature is 70 to 72 F, while pH should be about 5.8 to 6.2.
Place transplants so that root ball is slightly below the soil level. Some of the lateral buds of the stem will help anchor the plant if placed this way. This will encourage a strong, mounded shrub. If planting cuttings, keep them constantly moist by misting the foliage. Space plants at an appropriate distance apart. Those with a diameter of 12 inches or less should be about 1 foot apart, while larger plants of 15 to 20-inch diameters should be 17 to 22 inches apart.
Provide water to keep soil evenly moist. Belgian mums especially benefit from morning watering as they do much of their growing early in the day. Do not allow young plants to dry out, but water regularly and avoid moisture fluctuations.
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer after planting and during the vegetative growth stage. Mums are heavy feeders and need plenty of to grow vigorously. A fertilizer with 20 nitrogen, 10 phosphorus and 20 potassium is ideal as the plant is establishing.
Apply a flowering fertilizer when buds and signs of flowering emerge. A potassium-rich fertilizer, with 15 parts nitrogen, 5 parts phosphorus, and 30 parts potassium is best.
Divide clumps of plants in spring by cutting between them with a knife or spade and transplanting to a new location. Mums benefit from adequate spacing.
