Belgian Mum® Lava Red Plant

Lava Red Belgian Mum® Plants produce a dark, opulent, red coloration that lasts the entire blooming season. Starts blooming Late September in the North and Early October in the South. Belgian mums are prized for their large number of flower buds, sometimes as many as 1000 per plant. They are tough and resistant to damage, and do not need pinching or staking. 

Lava Red Belgian Mum Plant Care Instructions: Keep plants moist and well feed. A weekly application of a water soluble fertilizer works best. Snip off any flowers that start blooming early. When the flowers start showing color in the fall, stop fertilizing. Continue to keep the plants moist. After the first hard frost, the plant can be cut back to the ground. A heavy application of mulch is beneficial.

Planting Instructions:

• - Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for their growth into dense mounds

Soil Preparation:

• - Ideal soil pH: 6.0-7.0, prefers well-drained, fertile soil
• - Enrich soil with compost and a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to enhance blooming potential

Watering Specifics:

• - Water plants thoroughly to establish, then maintain a consistent watering schedule to keep soil evenly moist
• - Reduce watering frequency during cooler months but do not allow soil to completely dry out

Fertilizer Type:

• - Feed with a high-potassium fertilizer monthly during the growing season to support flower production
• - Stop fertilizing by the end of summer to help plants harden off for winter

Pruning and Training:

• - Pinch back growth in early summer to encourage branching and more blooms
• - Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering

Additional Pest Management:

• - Inspect regularly for signs of pests such as mites and aphids
• - Employ natural predators or suitable insecticides as needed, following environmental best practices

Temperature Tolerance:

• - Protect from early frosts with mulch or cloth covers to extend the blooming season