Marianne's Response

Mums not forming flower buds

I have long followed your recommendation to pinch back mums until the Fourth of July to postpone flowers until Fall. I did that again this year ( actually on July 7th) but I have very few flower buds forming. Is there something I can do to get flowers this Fall?

Posted by Debbie Nighswonger on August 21, 2019

Marianne's Response

Yes, assuming there is  full sun and the plant is not near a night time light source (flowers form as nights become longer) you can use a liquid plant food low in nitrogen like a 5-10-10 rose food to boost the bud formation. Liquid plant foods work quick and you need to jump start the flower production before a fall frost arrives. Good luck and enjoy those late autumn blooms. Marianne Binetti