How To Care For Mums: Spelling Out The Facts
Chrysanthemums have a rich history and even deeper symbolisms than just being mere decorations and gifts. There are a lot of interesting facts worth knowing about these simple flowers - more than meets the eye. And to add more to your knowledge, other than the basics of how to care for mums, I've spelled out – literally – some of the more interesting trivia about these “golden flowers.”
Chinese. They are said to be the first ones to cultivate mums mainly as flowering herbs, 2500 years ago. These flowers were so highly revered that only the nobles were allowed to grow them in their gardens – anyone else was forbidden, even if he knew how to grow chrysanthemums.
With the reverence attached to this plant, it is not surprising that when the Buddhists introduced chrysanthemums to the Japanese, they too thought highly of these flowers and they sat them on their thrones, imprinted the flower on their weapons and even created a national holiday in honor of Chrysanthemums.
Hardy mums. These type of mums put out stolons – shoots that bend to the ground and produce roots – and are more likely to over-winter than “florist mums,” especially in places where there are harsh winters. They grow quite easily within the right conditions.
Roots. The mums' roots are usually shallow, so it is important to always plant them in well-drained soil or else they can develop diseases during wet seasons or when the frost in the soil begins to thaw.
Yellow. This is the traditional color of chrysanthemums although there is a wide variety of other colors available. Now, chrysanthemums come in various shades of pink, red, bronze, orange, purple and white. Others even appear bi-colored.
Sun and soil. These are the two major factors in chrysanthemum care. It is important that the mums get sunlight at least 6 hours everyday and are planted in moist – not soggy – soil where there is proper drainage.
Autumn. Mums typically bloom during this season. Since mums are “phototropic,” the shortness in the day's length during fall causes them to develop flower buds which will eventually bloom into vibrantly colored flowers.
November. Chrysanthemums are regarded as the flower of November.
Tao Yuanming. Mums inspired ancient literature, especially Chinese poets and writers who had high regards for the mums' strong character – the only flower growing through winter. One such poet was Tao Yuanming whose most famous poem was about the chrysanthemum and who had lived and died with a deep affection for mums. Even when poverty became his fate, it was these flowers' petals that that took care of his hunger.
Herbaceous Perennials. Chrysanthemums are herbal flowers that can be grown not only for a season but throughout the entire year.
Edible. This is a tasty characteristic of mums, as they are considered to have health care properties. Their petals can be taken as tea, if not eaten as a salad.
Mulching. How to care for mums while it's freezing cold? Mulch the soil either with organic or inorganic materials to keep the temperature constant, which can help your mums get through winter in good shape.
Uses. More than being great decorations, mums are used as medicinal herbs and have also been found to reduce indoor air pollution. Pyrethrin, an active ingredient in mums is also used as an insecticide which is safer than most insecticides.
Meanings. Other than knowing how to care for mums, one thing that you should know is that mums are also symbols for purity, happiness and life. Although they are generally associated with death since they are the usual flowers that are laid out on tombs.