Weird question -- watering mums

[dr.girlfriend]

So, I'm the worst at taking care of plants.  I always overwater or underwater, and am basically down to stuff that's relatively unkillable (indoor) or lives off our rain levels (outdoor).  I recently got two tall planters to go on either side of our front door, under a small portico.  I planted mums in them, and only then did it occur to me that they will be too under cover to get much rain.  About how much/often should I water them?  

[maudefindlay]

I have mine under the portico on our front porch, but they do get some direct sun at different parts of the day. I water mine every other day taking care to not get the flowers/leaves to wet, but instead water right at the dirt.

[dr.girlfriend]

Oct 8, 2021 12:28:05 GMT -5 maudefindlay said:

I have mine under the portico on our front porch, but they do get some direct sun at different parts of the day. I water mine every other day taking care to not get the flowers/leaves to wet, but instead water right at the dirt.

So, like, a couple of cups of water every other day?  Like a 4-cup measuring cup?  If it helps I did get moisture control potting soil, and also they are on a raised platform that allows water to drain into the empty bottom of the planter, and then out, so I guess I'm more concerned about under-watering than over-watering.

Also, is there something about pinching off the blossoms when they wither, or is that for marigolds?

[maudefindlay]

Probably that amount, maybe a little more. Just depends how the soil looks, I eyeball it. I do cut them back for winter, but not all the way to the soil, I leave a few inches.

[treedimensional]

I worked in a large retail nursery for about 5 years. We sold OCEANS of mums every fall, and displayed them outdoors in full sun. We watered (soaking watered) at least once a day, depending on how hot/windy it was. One very important thing to remember is not to top-water, because mum flowers hold the water on them and rot. You have to bottom-water them so just the soil gets wet.
Some varieties will winter over in mild climates if you plant them in ground, cut them low, and cover them in leaves and mulch after they go dormant, but sometimes they are not hardy. Depends on the variety and where you live.
I always associate mums with fall, they make great porch flowers. I used to bring home multiple pots and leave them on my neighbor's steps every year. Unlike poinsettas that come out later in the year, mums can be left outside in the weather without too much worry.

[dr.girlfriend]

Oct 10, 2021 10:21:17 GMT -5 treedimensional said:

I worked in a large retail nursery for about 5 years. We sold OCEANS of mums every fall, and displayed them outdoors in full sun. We watered (soaking watered) at least once a day, depending on how hot/windy it was. One very important thing to remember is not to top-water, because mum flowers hold the water on them and rot. You have to bottom-water them so just the soil gets wet.
Some varieties will winter over in mild climates if you plant them in ground, cut them low, and cover them in leaves and mulch after they go dormant, but sometimes they are not hardy. Depends on the variety and where you live.
I always associate mums with fall, they make great porch flowers. I used to bring home multiple pots and leave them on my neighbor's steps every year. Unlike poinsettas that come out later in the year, mums can be left outside in the weather without too much worry.

Very good to know!  I already messed up!  They planters have kind of a narrow opening and are up against the wall and I didn't think I could really distribute the water unless I dumped it on top, but I'll dig up an actual watering can with a spout from somewhere for next time!  I'll post a picture once they (if they) bloom!

[spinnaker5]

Get one of these gadgets, it’s a (plant) life-saver.

www.amazon.com/Moisture-Hygrometer-Sensor-Monitor-Battery/dp/B08MVLQGWV/ref=asc_df_B08MVLQGWV/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475812071658&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10577068522260661991&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030970&hvtargid=pla-1146688428954&psc=1

[sassystace]

I have mums on my part-covered porch where they get some rain. I just check every few days if the soil feels wet or dry and water only if the soil feels dry. The amount of water you described sounds fine.

[arielroux]

I have mums under my portico...They get some direct sunlight, but they don't get any water from rain or anything like that. The directions that came with my plants said to water every two days, so that's what I've been doing. I usually fill a 1/2 gallon pitcher and then pour 1/2 the water in each plant. It's been a little over a month since I've been doing this and the mums look amazing. This is the longest I've ever kept plants alive, lol.

[definitelyO]

well the ones on my porch died. DH turned the water off and didn't tell me.... so there's that. #blackthumb