Stress can cause crown buds on garden mums

Univ. of Mass. floriculture extension specialists Tina Smith and Paul Lopes and Univ. of Conn. extension horticulture and greenhouse IPM specialist Leanne Pundt said chrysanthemum flower buds initiate easily and develop rapidly, especially if plants are stressed in any way. These premature flower or crown buds can result in short plants.

Inadequate water and fertilizer are two common causes for premature budding. Also, temperature has a greater influence than day length on flowering of garden mums. Several cool nights in a row can cause garden mums to initiate buds prematurely which results in early flowering of the plants.

If premature budding occurs, buds should be pinched off, and adequate moisture and fertilizer supplied. The plants almost always continue to grow and develop into a quality fall crop.

Mums should receive constant feed of 300 ppm nitrogen from fertilizers such as 20-10-20 to promote vegetative growth. After each rain reapply fertilizer at up to 400 ppm to maintain sufficient nutrient levels. Root health should be closely monitored as diseased roots will not take up fertilizer.