Checking Mum Transplants
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Mums with brown, dead tops may have growth in the center crown. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)
Checking Mum Transplants
It’s almost as exciting as opening a present.
This time of year, I go around my garden and check the new chrysanthemums I planted last fall. I watered them over winter and mulched them hoping they would get a good root start. Once established, mums can take care of themselves from year to year.
It’s easy to believe the plant is dead when you see the old plant top. Don’t be so quick to remove that; it may be harboring growth at the base of the plant.
Here’s the new growth in the center of that dead-looking mum. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)
Sometimes mums have growth off to the side, too. Check all around the plant to see where the new growth may be starting.
The growth on this mum has started under the mulch. Gently remove mulch so the plant gets some sun and can grow stronger.
That tiny bit of green will grow so keep it protected. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)
And yes, even this little spot of green will become a developed mum given a chance.
So out of 15 mums I transplanted, 13 made it. These mums will now be contributing to repelling insects as well as adding a pop of fall color.
I may split a few of these and get them settled in this spring and will definitely plant more this fall.
