I have a yellow mum plant inside and it is drying out and I wondered how to make it live. Do I cut it back?

Answer 1

Depends on where you live. If you live in a four-season place, then your mum was likely bred to be mass-marketed as a house plant for September and October. Lop it off, water it once a week of less (from the bottom) and keep it somewhere cool until spring. It has gone dormant and doesn't want to be fed.

In the spring place it out during the day and bring it in at night until all danger of frost is past. This is called hardening off. Once it is warm enough plant it and leave it. (You could compost or fertilize it, but remember it is an autumn flower, so don't expect miracles right away.)

Sounds like a lot of fuss for low grade flower stock, doesn't it? When you consider that Wal-Mart and your local supermarket will have a whole new and inexpensive supply next September, you have to factor in the bother and cost of the fertilizer and your effort.

On the other hand, if this your great-aunt Boo's heirloom stock which has never lived outside, then it still wants to go dormant. So give it a good haircut and leave it alone. Most of us make the mistake of watering our house plants too much in their dormant periods. They don't need feeding then either When the daylight lengthens, the plant will resume its growth. It may need a larger pot and fresh potting soil NOT vermiculite. When repotting, some folks like to use products that stimulate growth, but that's like an athlete using steroids. I use natural stuff that I buy from a reputable nursery, and not a mass marketer.

Answer 2

Hi...cut off the dead blooms, water and fertilize. When the plant is starting to look better, you could trim some growth off the top to encourage new growth. Since the mum has been inside in a warm home, if you take it outside now (unless you live in a warm place), it will surely die. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Cut back the dried parts, water it and put it outside with some protection from the cold/frost. Should be just fine.