Belgian Mum® Penera Red Plant

The The Penera Red Belgian Mum is an early summer-blooming variety that offers a lush display with its dense, tightly packed arrangement of radiant red flowers. This plant blooms into a near-perfect sphere, indicating the level of attentive care it requires to maintain such precise growth and form. The blooming season for this variety begins in mid-August, with the vivid red flowers continuing to make a dramatic statement through the end of September. The rich red hue of the blossoms completely obscures any foliage or stems, creating a stunning visual effect that makes it a standout choice for decorative gardening, celebrated for its vibrant color and extended blooming period.

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