Your mums have been working hard all summer, and they’re hungry. In early September, give them a liquid fertilizer with a higher phosphorous content—the middle number on the bottle. This is like ordering them a power smoothie instead of a bag of chips.
I once skipped this step because I thought, “Eh, they’ll be fine.” They survived, but they bloomed about as excitedly as a teenager asked to take out the trash. A little snack in September means bigger, brighter blooms that last into November.
Don’t Forget the Pot Mums
If your chrysanthemums are in pots (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t have a few plastic nursery pots lying around?), they need extra love. Container soil dries out faster than a joke at a funeral, so check them daily in September.
Growing Hardy Mums for a Beautiful Autumn Tradition - Dave's Garden
Move pots to a spot that gets full morning sun but some afternoon shade. This prevents them from frying while still giving them the light they crave. I’ve learned this the hard way after my potted mums looked like they’d been on a beach vacation without sunscreen.
