Lesson 3
Stake and feed
Mums get top-heavy. Stake at planting with a single cane or insert pea sticks in May — once flopped, the stems rarely lift back up.
Feed with a balanced feed monthly until buds form, then switch to high-potash (tomato feed) fortnightly. Water deeply twice a week; daily in heatwaves and pot-grown plants.
Mulch the surface with bark or compost to keep the roots cool and even-moist — this prevents the bud drop that hits container mums in July.
If buds turn brown and don't open, it's almost always inconsistent watering during bud formation. Mulch deeply, water on a fixed rhythm (e.g. every Monday and Thursday), and the next round of buds will open normally.