Pruning Mums for Fall Blooms: What to Do with Early Buds

Mum Blooming Cycle

Chrysanthemums set buds based on temperature and daylength. Spring blooms are normal; they often rebloom in fall.

If blooming in May: after flowers fade, shear foliage to 6 inches, fertilize, water, and wait for fall blooms.
If not blooming in May: shear to 6 inches anyway to prevent floppiness, then fertilize and water for fall flowers.

About Gardening: Broken Oncidium Spike: Save the Flowers, Save the Plant; Sunflower Mulching and Mum Pruning Timing Corrected; Fall Bulb Planting for Spectacular Spring Blooms; 6 Unsung Bulbs to Plant This Fall for Multi-Season Blooms; Serviceberry: Managing the Shrubby Habit; Post-Winter Mum Care: Pinch for Fall Bushiness; Why Knock Out Roses Stop Blooming in Summer; Fall Perennial Cleanup: Leave Green Foliage Until Frost; Fall Tree Limb Removal: Timing and Proper Three-Cut Technique; Amaryllis After Bloom: Garden Planting Beats Pot Culture

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