How do you keep mums blooming longer in containers

Mums in containers dry out quickly,test the soil on a regular basis.When watering make sure the flowers do not get wet. Dead head them for increased flowers.

Add some growing gel diluted with water through a straw planted in place with the top hidden by a stone and thus protected from soil blockage. Don't compact the soil too much near the straw so its not pinched and closed. The straw will be close to the roots. Only add the growing gel dilution when the plant looks to be on the wane. Also feed with blood n bone or a little potash as a routine following directions on the pack

Good Morning, Helen, this depends on it you got the Annuals, or the Perrineals. If you got the Perineals. this plant will come back year after year. The annual plant will only be good for one season. This is the main key for being careful as you choose your plants. I hope this helps. Also, if you plant the plant, (what ever your choice) will do the best in the red concrete pot, with stones in the bottom, for drainage, then to have good peat soil on top, then the plant. These are major keys for the plant to do its best with. Many stores get the plastic pots, because of cost, but these will not last. Best wishes with your plants and do remember that a lot of plants in the stores, rarely get watered. So when I get mine, I really soak them, in water, and solve this thirst!!. Enjoy!! J.

Helen, that is just fine, perhaps you can help someone else someday, for these are gems that all folks do not know, and - - the stores do not put signs out saying Perinals or annuals. We have to be careful what month we get them, and what the tag says on them. These help alot. If I can help you more, just say so, for I grow lots and lots of African Violets too. Have a special day, and best wishes, Judy.

Helen, one more handy fact. . . you may want to start a notebook, and in one column write the name of the plant, and when you planted it, then the date in the other column. Later on, if they get too large for the pot, you can always divide them, and make more pots. Then you can put some small stones in the bottom for easy drainage. OK? Best wishes, Judy.

Effectively its an organic rooting gel akin to the hormone growth powders.

It's a tip I got from a traveller/gypsy. They 'acquire' a drum of the stuff (no questions asked) and then get dying plants dirt cheap or for free. They dump them into the gel and they perk up and they resell them on for a good price to make money. Told me the tip about using it too for maintaining plants longer as I described. Tried it many times and works well for me.

The gel supplies the organic nutrients the plant needs and sufficient water encapsulated within to keep it healthier longer. The blood and bone gives an organic boost too though I'd try one or other as a standalone first. Too much of a good thing can do harm too.

When watering down the gel be especially careful to only alter the gel consistency so that it will slightly run as we are not actively watering here. I use a mcdonalds straw as its a wider type and the gel goes easily down. On the one occasion when I left my daughter in charge when away she blocked the straw as she forgot to dilute the gel. However, a little water into the straw and a skewer in it to stir and all went well.

The natural soil profile is inevitably different or destroyed when a plant is in a pot or planter, and water will not flow through it as it would in the natural environment. Soil can compact and hold water too tightly unless it contains something like perlite or pea gravel, leading to a dry and thirsty plant (water not getting through the soil) or a soggy and rotting plant if too much water is held at the root level for too long. A spagnum type moss can be useful here too for a little surface retention reservoir of water for when needed.

the flowers received to much water,causing them to die back.However regular dead heading will promote new flowers.

I am not sure what you mean by "Minh" to purchase them. Do you mean what "month" to get them? This depends on where you live. We live in the eastern/central states. So this means in the April/May months to begin to look. Tho we have a porch with screen on it. I would have them out in the sun, for a few hours, then back in the protected area, over night and then again outside in the sun, as it gets warmer. Be careful, for these are tender, as they are young. I hope this helps you. Do write again, Judy.