Should I cut off brown mums?

As a gardening and landscaping expert, I understand the importance of deadheading mums to promote healthy growth and continued blooming. When it comes to cutting off brown mums, timing is crucial. It’s best not to wait until the flowers have turned completely brown and crispy because, at that point, they are already setting seeds. This means that the plant has shifted its energy towards seed production rather than producing more blooms.

To ensure optimal flower production, it is recommended to deadhead mums as the color is fading from the flower, rather than waiting for them to drop off on their own. By doing this, you prevent the plant from diverting its resources towards seed production and encourage it to focus on producing more flowers instead.

Personally, I have found that deadheading mums promptly after the color starts to fade helps to maintain a neat and tidy appearance in my garden. It also encourages the plant to continue blooming for a longer period, extending the overall flowering season.

To deadhead mums, simply locate the faded flowers and remove them by cutting the stem just above a set of healthy leaves or lateral bud. This will promote new growth and encourage the plant to produce more flowers. If you have multiple mums in your garden, it can be helpful to deadhead them regularly to ensure continuous blooming throughout the season.

Cutting off brown mums is recommended to promote healthier growth and extended blooming. Deadheading as the color fades from the flowers, rather than waiting for them to turn completely brown and crispy, prevents the plant from diverting energy towards seed production. By deadheading promptly, you can maintain a neat and tidy appearance in your garden and encourage prolonged flowering.

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Caroline Bates

Caroline is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in drought-tolerant landscapes. She is the mother of two young children and also enjoys writing for GreenPacks.org in her spare time. Caroline takes great pride in her work, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her writing.