Crop Feature: Heirloom Mums

Just when we think we've seen all that Fall has to offer, the mums edge their foot in the door and announce their presence! And wow are they gorgeous! Sometimes I wonder why I grow something that only flowers when I'm so exhausted from the months long season. But then I see them and it’s instant revival and I'm ready to go for another few weeks!

I've been growing mums for 9 years now. They were one of the first fancy flowers that I tried. I just had to have them. I saw Jennie Love (Love n' Fresh Flowers in Philly) with them and I knew they had to have a place on my farm.

It's been a long journey to get to today. I've killed so many of these that I'm thankful I didn't keep count! They haven't been the easiest crop to learn and I'm far from mastering them. This year (Year 9!) was the first time I ever tried my hand at disbudding them.

Disbudding is the process of removing the auxillary side buds so you get one larger flower on the stem. I was always too busy with dahlias to make time for it. But I was determined this year and we made it happen! So glad we did because they are so stunning!

Mums are not a plant it and forget it crop which makes them challenging because it’s very easy to forget something you plant in spring that’s not going to bloom until October! But you have to feed them regularly, make sure you cut them back on time and then DON’T FORGET TO NET! (Can’t tell you how many years it took to figure out how to support them properly!

Chiffon- New Variety coming next year

I’m really getting into the cute single spray types. I’ve got 3 varieties that I’m testing and I think I’ll probably keep all three!

I’m already running a “varieties to try” list for next year and looking for field space to add more. I want to more than double the crop!!

Stem Length: 18-36” - depends on variety
In Season: Early/Mid October- End of November
Dries Well: Yes- in silica gel
Vase Life: 10+ days