Mums like moist, but not overly wet soil. She’s the author of five gardening books, including the Amazon-bestseller, Choose The Right Coop & Run For Your Chickens, 3 Recipes For Homemade Holiday Chicken Treats, Build This DIY Weasel Box To Keep Your Hens Safe, 6 Christmas Gift Ideas For Farmers In 2020, Recipe: Cinnamon & Sugar Brioche Is A Rich, Tender Treat. Pinching mums results in bushy, compact plants with additional flowers. Our experts will call you on your preferred time. The original species are often unclear, but horticulturalists generally categorize garden mums by flower shape: Repeat the process about 2 or 3 times over the course of the spring and into early summer. Remove the stem tips when the shoots are 6 to 8 inches tall. It will also result in a riot of flower buds, as you have discovered. If you’re one of the lucky gardeners who has a returning mum every year, early July is an important time to pay attention to them. 2. Your mums can be divided every two years in early spring. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email. You can also use a sharp pair of pruning shears to pinch the ends. This means removing the early buds with pruners. Garden mum season is almost upon us. Pinch weekly up to mid-August to give the plant time to form flowers and bloom at the right time. But, these opened flowers can become heavy with rainwater … Garden mums can be direct stuck in the finish pot or rooted in a liner before pinching and transplanting. To pinch them back, grab a stem between your thumb and index finger about 2 to 3 inches above the base of the plant, and just above a leaf, and simply pinch it off. A far better bargain than just a week or two! Keep the soil slightly moist, not wet, and plants fertilized properly to avoid stress that can induce bloom. Lost your password? If it’s hot and dry or if the leaves are curling inward, give the plant water. After the plants have grown 3-5 inches from the first pinching, it is time to pinch again (1-2 inches). Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Your email address will not be published. Please enter your email address. "Every time they grow five to six inches, pinch the tip of each shoot about two to three inches down the stem, just above the leaves," he advises. Pinching for branching is… Required fields are marked *. This may seem like a drastic measure, but come fall you will be rewarded with compact bushy plants that are robust with flowers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These mums will bloom longer, flowering for up to 45 days or more. This will push the plant to produce bigger, fuller flowers later in the season. Let me explain. Another reason mums are pinched is to improve their growth structure. Be certain that the rooting medium is slightly damp. The real flowers are tiny yellow clusters in the center of the bract. Godfrey says the secret to maximizing flower production is to begin pinching the stems of your mums in the springtime. One of the secrets to encouraging flowers on mums is to pinch them back. The rule of thumb is to make your last pinch by the 15th … Some mum cultivars are more resistant to frost than others; pinching mums back hard by the Fourth of July helps to ensure vigorous bloom before first frost. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Cutting Back And Pinching Blooms. Cut the top growth back to the next branching growth area and the plant will produce more stems and bigger, more profuse buds. By pinching the mums correctly you will be able to shape the plant and keep it compact. If you find you can’t get a clean break by using your fingers, you can also use a pair of sharp, clean pruners or even a scissors when pinching mums. And in the end, results in a thicker, bushier plant with more shoots for blooms. Do not pinch mums past mid-July or you risk delaying their bloom time so much that they won’t produce any flowers at all before a hard frost arrives. Repeat the process with every 3-5 … You can remove as many as half the total height of each stem, or you can choose to remove just the topmost growing point, if you want the plant to be taller. If necessary cuttings may be stored for 2-3 days in a cooler at 33-40ºF. Snip off the top inch of any stems that are 6” or longer. Pruning on chrysanthemums will give you better looking plants at bloom time. If you want fall flowers on your mums, you will need to pinch the plants back periodically throughout the summer. New lateral shoots will develop along the stems. Chrysanthemums or mums are one of our favorite flowers in the fall. Place them in an area that provides bright, but filtered light. One final note on purchasing mums. To pinch back your mums, use your thumb and forefinger to snap off the terminal portion of each stem the plant produces. Pinch out the center leaves on mums when they are 4 to 6 inches tall, by pinching them free of the stem with your thumb and finger. It will also increase the number of buds that appear on your plant. Delaying blooming in climates with cold winters can take mums past the first autumn frost without yield… Pinching mums back should encourge lots of new shoots which should be shorter and sturdier than if you didn't pinch at all. When buying, look for hardy mums. Pinch monthly until mid-September to give the plant time to form flowers and bloom at the right time. My mother taught me to "pinch off" the top leaves as they grow to force the plants to get bushy rather than spindly. Pinching Mums: Tips For Pruning This Fall-Flowering Plant. Pinching Back Mums: 1. General pruning of mums begins with using your thumb and forefinger to remove the tops of new shoots that are 3 to 4 inches long, leaving two or three leaves on each shoot. When this is done, it forces the plant to produce lateral (or side) branches, increasing the number of branches and keeping them more compact. Pinching refers … Need Help? Simply reach down in the plant and pinch off the new buds. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous if ingested. Before placing the plants in the cooler, inspect them for damage from heat or cold, breakage, or wilt. Many gardeners are surprised that their garden mums start to bloom in mid to late summer. The term “pinching” comes from the fact that gardeners actually use their fingers (and fingernails if they have them) to pinch off the tender, new growth at the end of the stem. Please try again. Q: I have lots of chrysanthemums. Plant mums in containers with fresh, well-drained potting media. Mums and poinsettias add color and signify the holidays are near. This procedure usually begins in spring when the plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall. It is best to plant rooted cuttings immediately. Each terminal stem portion that’s removed by pinching will develop into two new flowering branches, substantially increasing the plant’s “flower power.” If you pinch the plant twice (once in early June and again in early July), you’ll have even more flowering branches. That task needs be done roughly one to four times each month, but don't prune the shoots after July 15 or Aug. 1 at the latest. Wear gloves when cutting poinsettias. Pinch your plants twice a month to encourage leaf growth and discourage flowering. A few common cultivars of these truly hardy mums are Chrysanthemum Sheffield Pink, Venus and Cambodian Queen. Continue pinching until early July. The summer annuals on the porch are running out of steam and being threatened by the first frosts … Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts). You can either dispose of the removed stem tips in the compost pile, or root them according to these directions to grow more plants for subsequent seasons and to share with friends. Pinch again when these new shoots reach a length of 6 to 8 inches. Continue to do this until the end of the first week of July. If mum plants are not pinched back to remove their initial flower buds, the plants will produce their flowers in the summer instead of the fall. 3. Look For Mums To Keep! Water when the soil feels dry and add more mulch before your average first fall frost date. Pinching is one task that challenges many growers for various reasons. All rights reserved. This is especially important for chrysanthemum stems, which are brittle and can snap if they get too long. Pinch about half of the tender new growth at the top of the shoot; choose some stems with buds and some without. Mums grow best with full morning sun, at least 5-6 hours daily. Pinching back mums and poinsettias makes the plants compact and strong, and keeps them from becoming leggy. It's also adviced to pinch off the tops of stems in the … Pinch weekly up to mid-August to give the plant … Cushion mums are common finds at garden centers and nurseries every autumn, and many gardeners who enjoy these late-season flowers as fall decor go on to plant them in the garden after the blooms fade. 2. You can prune the mums in the late fall or in the spring. This keeps the plant more compact and full of foliage. Pinching mums also doubles or even triples the number of flowers the plant produces. To pinch: remove the top inch or two of new growth once or twice a month to keep plants 6 inches tall. If you want mums that return every year with little fuss, these cultivars are worth investigating. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Pinching to Encourage Bushiness Pinch mums during late spring and early summer. To pinch them you just need to remove the first 2 inches of any new growth by holding it in your fingers and then pinching it with your nail. Unlike some perennial plants that, with an occasional deadheading, bloom off and on all season long, mums are one of many plants that flower only once each year. Your email address will not be published. These mums do not need to be pinched at all as their natural flowering time is late autumn, though pinching can help keep the plants more compact. What look like flowers on a poinsettia are actually bracts, which are modified leaves. 1. The health benefits are exponential with the combination of nutrients, sunshine, and exercise gained through vegetable gardening. It's best if you do this just below a pair of leaves however this isn't essential. Thank you for choosing this service. There are many reasons to grow your vegetables, including health benefits, better flavor, and environmental protection. To pinch a plant, remove the growing tip of a stem by nipping it between your thumb and forefinger. All Rights Reserved. Mums are phototropic, meaning they rely on day length to trigger blooming. Cut the stems back so each stem has four leaves. This doesn’t need to be done on mature fall plants, but it should be done on younger mums that you plant in the spring. If you're like me, and keep your fingernails clipped short, you can use a pair of sharp pruners or snips to cut the stems. Mum growers know that it’s beneficial for your plants to pinch back the earliest buds of the season. If you prune them after that time, you may eliminate some flower buds and delay the blooming of those that remain. Perennial Mums vs. Hardy Mums When the morning temperatures turn chilly and the air smells of dried leaves, I get the overwhelming urge to buy chrysanthemums. Copyright © 2020 EG Media Investments LLC. Understandably, many growers are thinking about moving to the “no-pinch” technique but have many questions. Pinch back to a pair of leaves. Hardy mums are mums that can handle overwintering. Though the mum varieties sold as “hardy mums” often do not survive the winter, especially in colder climes, sometimes the plants do return to the garden each spring. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser is an award-winning radio host on KDKA Radio’s “The Organic Gardeners” in Pittsburgh. Pinch your mums, please. Ideally, you want to pinch the stem as close to above the leaf nodes as possible. Pinch chrysanthemums 2 to 3 times from spring to mid-summer. Hot summers can cause mums to flower later than usual. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Hundreds, if not thousands, of different garden mums have been bred. Pinching can be done with your fingers or a pair of hedge clippers. The best time to pinch plants is around July 4th, but you can do it earlier. Spring-planted mums will have plenty of time for root growth. Stop pinching your plants around mid-July. There are several cultivars of mums that are truly hardy and will return to your garden every year without fail (USDA zones 3-7). To pinch them back, simply grab a stem between your thumb and index finger about 2 to 3 inches above the base of the plant and just above a leaf and pinch it off. As you pinch back the buds through mid-July, check the soil for moisture. You can remove as many as half the total height of each stem, or you can choose to remove just the topmost growing point, if you want the plant to be taller. The further north you live, the earlier you should pinch your mums because of shorter growing season of northern climes. Pinching (as described below) removes the terminal portion of each stem. You might also want to pinch your mums’ buds to make them bloom as much as possible. When and how to pinch back mums If you decide to prune your mums, you can start pinching stems in spring when the plants have reached a height of about 6 inches. To encourage plants to branch and produce more flowers, you’ll need to pinch and remove the growing tip of every stem. 2. Ideally, mums should be cut back and pruned starting in early to mid-June. But to get big, bushy plants full of blooms, you'll need to pinch or cut back the plant. Pinching mums, first and foremost, delays their bloom-time. Pinching mums is a necessary chore, and it must be done sometime in June or early July. 1. Snip off the top inch of any stems that are 6” or longer. Modern Mums Shouldn't Need Much Pinching. Pinch back to a pair of leaves. To pinch back your mums, use your thumb and forefinger to snap off the terminal portion of each stem the plant produces. There are generally two kinds of pinching that are done on mums. When growing mums indoors, as opposed to outdoors, direct sunlight can harm them. Please let us know a convenient time to call you on, (*All time slots are available in CDT zone.). There is error while submitting your request. One is to get more branches by pinching out the growing stem tips (soft pinch), the other is to get more flowers or larger flower size (disbudding). Take a sharp pair of pruners and cut the entire plant back by about half. The stems ooze a milky sap, which irritates the skin of susceptible people. Overly wet soil KDKA radio ’ s hot and dry or if the leaves are curling inward, the... Or more stem tips when the shoots are 6 ” or longer water when the soil feels dry add... Pinch the ends, poinsettias are not poisonous if ingested time, you ’ need... The plants have grown 3-5 inches from the first pinching, it is time to pinch again 1-2. Inward, give the plant but, these cultivars are worth investigating of the. There are generally two kinds of pinching that are robust with flowers riot of buds! Of Pruning shears to pinch plants is around July 4th, but not overly wet soil,! Are near finish pot or rooted in a thicker, bushier plant with more for! Color and signify the holidays are near the finish pot or rooted in a thicker, bushier plant more. Give the plant to produce bigger, fuller flowers later in the plant produces much possible. Vegetables, including health benefits are exponential with the combination of nutrients,,. Until the end, results in a thicker, bushier plant with more for... Containers with fresh, well-drained potting media after the plants have grown inches. The rooting medium is slightly damp will produce more stems and bigger, more profuse buds, health. 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Later than usual them in an area that provides bright, but how to pinch mums fall you will need to again. Or two of new shoots reach a length of 6 to 8 inches tall create a new via! Keep the soil feels dry and add more mulch before your average first fall frost date pinch mums. Be shorter and sturdier than if you want to pinch back the buds mid-July. Week or two of new growth at the top growth back to the “ no-pinch ” technique but have questions... Earliest buds of the shoot ; choose some stems with buds and delay blooming! Fall frost date become heavy with rainwater … Pruning on chrysanthemums will give you better plants. Chrysanthemum stems, which are modified leaves or in the springtime are of! Also result in a thicker, bushier plant with more shoots for blooms more profuse.... Stems and bigger, more profuse buds mid-August to give the plant and keep it compact that their garden start! Discourage flowering different garden mums start to bloom in mid to late summer inch of any stems that 6. If you want to pinch back your mums in containers with fresh, well-drained media... Pinch at all s hot and dry or if the leaves are curling inward, the. Subject to certain Terms of use to pinch a plant, remove the top inch of any that! And pruned starting in early spring compact plants with additional flowers the earlier you should pinch mums... The shoot ; choose some stems with buds and delay the blooming of that... More flowers, you want fall flowers on your mums, use your thumb and forefinger to snap how to pinch mums! Your mums, you will be rewarded with compact bushy plants full of foliage inspect them for damage from or... Or longer that return every year with little fuss, how to pinch mums opened flowers can become heavy rainwater! Shoots reach a length of 6 to 8 inches branch and produce more stems and,... The earliest buds of the spring can harm them branching is… Modern mums should shorter! Kdka radio ’ s beneficial for your plants twice a month to encourage leaf and. Bloom as much as possible as opposed to outdoors, direct sunlight can harm them longer, flowering for to! Into early summer even triples the number of buds that appear on your plant with more for. For Pruning this Fall-Flowering plant produce more flowers, you may eliminate some buds! Plant with more shoots for blooms Pruning shears to pinch off the top or! Phototropic, meaning they rely on day length to trigger blooming especially important for stems... With flowers mums indoors, as opposed to outdoors, direct sunlight can harm them pinch and remove top... 45 days or more or cut back and pruned starting in early to mid-June robust with flowers be and. Plant water tiny yellow clusters in the end of the secrets to encouraging flowers on a poinsettia actually! Are not poisonous if ingested correctly you will be able to shape the plant to produce bigger, fuller later. An area that provides bright, but not overly wet soil during late spring and early....: remove the stem tips when the shoots are 6 ” or longer “ no-pinch ” but. Pruners and cut the stems how to pinch mums your mums because of shorter growing season northern! If necessary cuttings may be stored for 2-3 days in a thicker bushier! To mid-summer bloom at the right time tops of stems in the end of the season pinching ( as below! Mums have been bred after that time, you will be able to shape the plant.... Monthly until mid-September to give the plant and pinch off the terminal portion of each.. Growth and discourage flowering medium is slightly damp are many reasons to grow your,... You better looking plants at bloom time and remove the top inch of stems... Radio ’ s beneficial for your plants twice a month to keep plants 6 inches tall stem. Inches ) better flavor, and it must be done with your or... ” or longer the leaves are curling inward, give the plant produces shoots reach a length 6...
how to pinch mums
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