Bright-colored mums in orange, red, and yellows are the center of attraction of any garden. However, the primary concern for most homeowners is their watering schedule because water requirements vary depending on the weather and the way it’s planted. Mums are hardy plants, so they require moisture, which they get from water. These plants are not fussy and can be easily maintained by merely watering them when the soil dries. The amount and frequency of water matter the most for these beautiful mums. Let’s glance through it to learn more about “how much water mums need".
Watering Tips for Potted Mums
The potted mums have a different water requirement than mums planted in the ground. Mums planted in pots have higher watering requirements than mums planted in the garden because potted mums dry out fast. Here are some of the tips on watering schedule:
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Water mums properly after repotting
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Water them every alternate day before it gets too dry. Potted mums prefer one inch of water every week.
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Always water the base of the plants and not the foliage.
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When mum starts wilting, put the pot in a large bucket filled with a few inches of water at the bottom. This ensures that the roots of the plants absorb water.
Watering Tips for Mums Planted in the Garden
Mums planted in the garden need less water when compared to potted ones. Here are the tips on watering schedule:
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Maintain a regular watering schedule after planting mums. Keep watering until the plant is established. Regular watering keeps the soil moist.
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Water garden mums every alternate day to ensure the soil doesn’t get dry.
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Water the roots of the soil and not the top of the foliage.
How Much Water Do Mums Need?
Water requirement varies on factors like the weather of the region where you stay, soil quality, planting conditions, and plant health. If mums grow in an area with heavy rainfall, there’s barely any need to water the plants because they naturally receive enough water to thrive. On the other hand, mums grown in warm weather or in drought-prone areas need consistent watering.
Water Requirements of Potted Mums
The requirement depends on the weather and soil conditions. These plants need daily watering during the warm fall weather. If you plant mums in the late summer or early fall, keep checking the soil for water requirements because the weather continues to be warm. If the soil gets dry, water them slowly to prevent water from running off.
Another way to ensure the plant gets sufficient water is to repot them in a bigger container with holes, immediately after buying. The reason is that the roots of the purchased plants are spread across the pot and don’t allow roots to properly absorb water.
Water Requirements of Garden Mums
Garden mums hold water for longer periods of time as compared to potted plants. However, mulching is still needed around the garden plant to retain the moisture of the soil. Maintain moisture in the soil for the first few weeks after planting them for a robust root system. If it rains, there is no need to water mums, but if there’s scanty rainfall, water the plants after checking the dryness of the soil by inserting a finger in the soil. If the finger comes out dry, it indicates the plant needs water, and vice versa.
Avoid Over-Watering and Under-Watering
A balanced watering schedule can help maintain a healthy mum plant in the garden or in the pot. These plants indicate in case of over or under watering through various symptoms listed below.
Signs of Over-Watering
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Wet and saturated soil
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Black and mushy leaves
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Root rot
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Plants left in the wet soil for long periods of time
Signs of Underwatering
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Dry soil
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Lightweight pot
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Brown and dry flowers in the pot
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Brown leaves
Conclusion
To determine the water requirements of mums, it’s important to consider the tips listed in this article for balanced watering. The weather conditions hugely affect the frequency of watering. It is because soil dries quickly in warm weather whereas there’s no need to water mums in areas with frequent rainfall. Any imbalance in the watering schedule can damage the plant.
