Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' (29a)

Water

Mums, including Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet', prefer evenly moist soil, so water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this means watering about once a week, but it could be more frequent during hot, dry spells. Apply water directly to the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to reduce the risk of disease. Each plant should receive approximately one gallon of water, ensuring it soaks into the soil rather than running off. Monitor the plant's response and adjust your watering schedule according to weather conditions and the mum's needs.

Light

Mums thrive in full sunlight, requiring a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily. Place Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' in a location where it's exposed to plenty of bright light to ensure vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Avoid spots that are shaded for large portions of the day, as insufficient light can lead to poor blooming and leggy growth.

Temperature

Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' performs best in temperatures ranging from 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum temperatures up to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, extreme temperatures at either end can lead to stress, so aim to provide the ideal temperature range for optimal growth.

Pruning

Prune Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' to encourage bushier growth and to maintain its shape. Pinch back the tips of the stems in early summer before the plant sets buds to promote fuller plants. After the first frost, cut the mum back to about one to two inches above the ground. Pruning should be done annually or as needed throughout the growing season to remove spent flowers and unhealthy leaves.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Mums thrive in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of peat, perlite, and compost is ideal for Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' to ensure adequate drainage and nutrient availability.

Repotting

Chrysanthemums should be repotted every one to two years. Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' benefits from being refreshed with new soil to sustain its growth and flower production.

Humidity & Misting

Mums prefer average household humidity levels around 40-60%. Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' does not require extra humidity but should not be placed in excessively dry environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place mums in bright, indirect light and moderate temps.

• Outdoor

  Plant mums in full sun to light shade, protect from harsh elements.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet' (29a), commonly known as Mum 'Susan's Bonnet', begins its life cycle as a seed, germinating in suitable environmental conditions such as warm temperatures and moist soil. After germination, the plant enters a vegetative stage, where it focuses on leaf growth and development of a strong root system. This is followed by the budding stage, where flower buds start to form in response to shorter day lengths as the plant approaches maturity. The blossoming stage is next, where the plant's distinctive flowers bloom, showing off their colors and shapes. Post-bloom, Mums enter a senescence phase where the plant prepares for dormancy; flowers fade and foliage may die back, especially in response to colder temperatures. Lastly, the plant may undergo a dormancy period during winter before re-emerging in the spring if environmental conditions are favorable, or it may complete its life cycle if it is an annual variety by setting seeds which drop to the ground to potentially grow the following season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Chrysanthemum 'Susan's Bonnet', commonly known as a garden mum, is typically propagated through division, cuttings, or seeds. The most popular method among these is propagation by cuttings, which usually takes place in the spring. To propagate by cuttings, a gardener would take a 4- to 6-inch length of a healthy, non-flowering stem from the plant. This cutting should be stripped of its lower leaves and then dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. It is then gently placed into a moistened potting mix or a similar growth medium. The cut stem is kept in a well-lit area, out of direct sunlight, and the soil is maintained damp but not waterlogged to avoid root rot. Roots typically begin to form within a few weeks, and once established, the new plants can be transplanted to their permanent locations.