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Wed, May 9, 12 at 14:11
| I spotted a 3" plant covered in white daisy-like blooms at Walmart a few weeks ago and on impulse bought it. I now discover that it is 'Frosty Jeanette' and all the information I've found says it's a perennial, fall-blooming Mum. This is May and this little plant is covered in blooms which are looking a little weathered because of a few days of rain. What do I do with this plant? Before looking at the label I figured it was an annual of some sort and was about to put it in my rock garden for the summer, but now I am a little puzzled. Why is this plant covered in blooms in May? Should I remove all the blooms before planting it out in the border? Help, please!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Yes, pinch the flowers and buds off and keep watching it for a few more weeks. It will probably try to produce more buds. Chop 'em off. In fact, don't just pinch the buds off. Pinch the entire tops of the stems off an inch or two. I'm not sure how the growers do this, but mums are often forced to bloom now so people can see what they are buying. I hate this practice! There's nothing more depressing than seeing a plant forced to do something unnatural. Hopefully the plant will stop producing buds until later in the summer and bloom in season this fall. Kevin |
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- Posted by athenainwi (My Page) on Wed, May 9, 12 at 15:27
| I'd let it bloom. I've had mums do the same thing and I've tried to both ways. Every time I try to pinch it the plant just keeps trying to bloom until I leave it alone. The ones I have left alone will bloom and look nice and then often bloom again (although not as much) in the fall. Either way, it won't act normally until next year so I figure you might as well see what blooms you can get. |
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- Posted by northerner_on Z5A ONCanada (My Page) on Sat, May 12, 12 at 2:58
| One question, two conflicting answers!! My inclination is to remove the blooms and maybe some of the stems primarily because the flowers are looking kind of shabby after a few days of rain. I have never seen Mums forced, but now I guess it must be for the Mother's Day sales. I will trim it, let it recover for a little while and then put it in the ground and see what happens. I am still waiting for my Sheffield Pink to 'awake'. Thank you both. |
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