Growing Mums In A Greenhouse: A Guide?

Planting is the most critical period in the production of a quality garden mum crop. Plant liners directly into the final container whenever possible, using a lighter, well-drained media. Avoid mixes that are too light and may dry out too. Garden mums can be sold as green plants along with perennial crops or as flowering plants where they can be planted by the consumer to flower again in the fall. They can also be shaded.

The University of Massachusetts offers an online guide on best production practices for mums, including handling rooted cuttings, container production, fertilization, and more. Growing mums in a greenhouse is a great way to extend your gardening season, but there are important considerations that gardeners should keep in mind. From the right environment to the right, these traditional plants are easy to grow and even easier to sell since they are easy to grow and easy to sell.

Fall garden mums are best produced outdoors or in an uncovered greenhouse with proper irrigation. Temperature and humidity levels are often too high in a covered greenhouse for many cultivars. Cool night temperatures promote early flowering of garden mums while very warm night temperatures can delay flowering. Most garden mums are grown with one rooted cutting planted per 8-inch mum pan or similar-sized container. Larger 12-inch and 20-inch plants are used as novelty plants.

Chrysanthemums thrive within a specific temperature range of 15°C to 21°C during the day, with slightly cooler temperatures at night. Mums need to be grown in full sun, not shade. Today’s varieties do all the work when you provide them. In early January, bring plants out of winter storage into a greenhouse at 7-10°C (45-50°F) and water them so the compost is thoroughly damp.

Do mums like the heat?

Mums bloom for a specific duration depending on their planting time. They prefer cooler temperatures, which can be challenging if they are purchased during hot weather, as the flowers will fade quickly. Waiting for cooler temperatures can provide up to 8 weeks of blooms, and if warm days occur, they can be stored in the house or garage until temperatures drop again. The type of chrysanthemum and its intended use also play a role. For annual use in potted displays or garden beds, opt for florist or cutting mums, enjoy them until the blooms die off, and compost them.

Why are my outdoor mums dying?

Mums, being shallow-rooted, are susceptible to drying out, making them less likely to survive winter. To ensure their survival, they should be planted in moist, well-drained soil, avoiding low spots and heavy soils. Mums require full sun for at least 6 hours and should be placed in a protected location. Planting mums in open areas exposes them to extreme conditions and is more likely to be damaged. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and ensures a healthy environment for mums.

Can you keep mums alive all year indoors?

To keep your mum plants alive for next year, bring them indoors by cutting off the brown foliage and stems, wrapping the pot, and bringing them to an unheated garage or shed between 32 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plants are in the ground, move them to a pot before freezing or heavily mulch the surrounding area. Add potting soil and organic fertilizers to the pot for a good start in spring.

In warmer areas like New York, overwintering mums can be done outdoors by using heavy mulch, such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings. Remaining frozen during winter is less damaging to the plant than repeatedly freezing and thawing. Mums can even stay in the ground, provided they receive enough mulch. Cut off dead stems and bury them in mulch shortly after the first frost. By following these steps, you can continue using your mums year after year, ensuring they grow bigger and lusher each year.

How do you keep mums alive in the heat?

To care for indoor mums, ensure they receive at least four hours of direct sunlight a day, with a window that allows plenty of sun. Keep the soil moist, but don’t over-water. If the pot gets too dry, place it in a container or bucket with 2 or 3 inches of water that the plant can absorb. Deadhead the plant often to prevent wilted flowers and dead stems from competing for water and nutrients. Once the mums stop blooming, place them in the ground outdoors once the weather starts to warm.

Caring for outdoor mums requires abundant sunlight, well-draining soil, and ample space. Plant them 18 inches from other plants to allow their roots to expand. Water them but not too much, ensuring they get at least an inch of water per week after the first week. Deadhead the plant by removing wilted blooms and dead stems or leaves. In colder climates, mulch them with leaves, wood chips, or straw, about 3 or 4 inches deep and surrounding the entire base. If frost hits, prune them back to only about an inch of stems above the ground and leave the mulch around the plant. In spring, the mums will regenerate with warmer weather.

Will dead potted mums come back?

Fall magazines often feature lush fall mums on front porches, prompting people to ask if they can plant them in the garden as a perennial. Mums can be classified into two main camps: florist mums and garden mums. Florist mums are compact potted plants found at nurseries and do not return each year, while garden mums grow loosely and reliably return. Both types are part of the same species, Chrysanthemum morifolium, and their return depends on the presence of stolons, runners near the ground that release new roots and shoots. Mums come in various flower forms, so it’s important to choose the right one for your garden.

How do you keep potted mums alive outside?

Potted mums require at least six hours of sunlight daily, and should be placed in a shaded area in warmer zones to prevent scorching. Protect them from the harsh afternoon sun to prolong their flower lifespan. Consistently water them when the soil feels dry, adding water until it drains out the bottom. Avoid wilting the plants to prevent damage to the flowers. Water more frequently if the bottom leaves look limp or brown. Avoid splashing the foliage to avoid plant diseases.

After blooming, give the plants a phosphorus-rich liquid fertilizer before freezing weather to stimulate root growth. Once hard frost hits, move the plants inside or into an unheated garage. Pinch off dead blooms to clean up the plant, leaving branches intact. Waiting until spring to cut back old stems can improve the chances of survival for the mums.

What temperature will damage mums?

Chrysanthemums are cold-hardy to USDA gardening zones 5 to 9, with some varieties like Mammoth Daisy tolerant to even lower temperatures. The optimal temperature for indoor or greenhouse grown mums is between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is essential for chrysanthemums, ideally between 70 and 90 degrees, which is easier to achieve in greenhouses. Aim for 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit for indoor cultivation, as anything below this can cause them to suffer.

Mums also need regular feeding, depending on the location and type of fertilizer used. In containers and with liquid fertilizer, it should be done every month, starting at least a month after planting and stopping before flower buds open.

Can mums be grown indoors?

Mums can be grown indoors but can be challenging to maintain their appearance. They are a beautiful living arrangement that can outlast cut flowers, but some people are not committed enough to nurse them. To grow mums indoors, plant them in containers with fresh, well-drained potting media, as they prefer moist but not overly wet soil. It’s important to note that fall mums are sold as outdoor plants, so the best results will be achieved there.

Do chrysanthemums like sun or shade?

Chrysanthemums flourish in soil with good drainage and full sunlight, requiring a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day during the summer months. Plants that receive insufficient light will exhibit stunted growth, reduced vigor, and a diminished capacity to produce flowers.

Can mums be grown in a greenhouse?

Fall garden mums are best grown outdoors or in an uncovered greenhouse with proper irrigation. However, high temperature and humidity levels in a covered greenhouse can hinder many cultivars’ flowering. Cool night temperatures promote early flowering, while very warm night temperatures can delay it. For fall sales, growers can use a fast crop, planting 2 pinched plants per 8″ pot during the first two weeks of July. This crop allows for a longer period of sales and is less harmed by early frost.

The fast crop offers 9-10 weeks of crop time compared to 15-16 weeks on the regular program, allowing for more plants to be grown in the same area. Fast crop 6″ pots can be planted simultaneously with one rooted cutting per 6. 5 inch pot.

How to grow chrysanthemums in a greenhouse?

Chrysanthemums, native to the Mediterranean, bring fresh vibrancy to borders and containers during late summer and autumn. They bloom from September to November and require sun and fertile, well-drained soil. To grow, bring plants out of winter storage into a greenhouse at 7-10°C (45-50°F) and water them thoroughly. Within three or four weeks, you should have large enough shoots for cuttings. Chrysanthemums can be grown in borders and containers, but winter protection may be needed.