I can't really speak to your fertilizer questions, but as far as the mums, yes, it is usual for them to bloom this early if they are not cut back a few times. Personally, after the last two years, where I was constantly cutting back because the buds were forming so darn fast, I have decided to let the mums bloom when they want. It was just too much to keep after them, and they still bloomed in September, which was earlier than I wanted. So they are on their own - I figure it will intrigue passers-by to see mums in June, lol! In the meantime, if I want mums in the fall, I'll buy a few pots and stick them in the garden. As far as your situation, I agree with mistascott and would water them (but not OVER water!) for the next few days to try to dilute the fertilizer. Maybe I'm totally wrong but that sounds like common sense, as long as you don't drown the plants. Not sure I would cut them back though. I don't think cutting back would do anything except sacrifice the blooms you have now. I don't think they will bloom again. But who knows, I could be wrong on that too! Good luck! Dee

Thanks Bonnie for the kind words. I've had quite a few life changes and I hate to admit it but I've become somewhat addicted (a lot addicted) to using my computer time on World of Warcraft. But I still have the same garden - and boy is it full. Out of necessity, I have come to consider myself a layering and pruning expert, but even I am having trouble adding new stuff, so I don't tend to drag out the camera very often. This spring I had a tree company come out and thin, trim, shorten, topiary or espalier just about every tree and bush in the place. I think I shocked their staff, but I knew what I wanted and surprisingly the garden looks even more lush this year than usual. I only bought a couple of new perennials this season and spent about half my usual budget on annuals. I've got a bulb order coming this fall - with absolutely no idea how or where to squeeze them in - ah hah - that's gardening as usual around here now !!!

I'm no expert, but agree with calliope. I have one similiar in shape to yours. I'd asked the cutting back question last year, since Mom always said "keep cutting back until 4th of July (you're right, Ken) but that was for ones that get all tall and leggy. I was told this type (or at least mine) is called a 'cushion mum' and bred to remain compact and rounded. I never cut mine back (except for initial cutting it down after dying) and it blooms magnificantly throughout the season. Here's a pic of mine (bad quality) late in the season (fall?) as it was dying off. You'll notice it did start to lay down and have a gap in the center, but because if you'll notice, there's a dark semi-circle thing above it which is a giant bush. And if I don't keep THAT trimmed back, it crowds out and shades the mum so it can't grow in a full 'cushion' shape. But other than that, you can see it kept its rounded shape all season, never got leggy. I haven't tried the pinching back after first bloom but will try that this year, since later on it does start to look pretty shabby so TKS calliope for that hint!! Also, just checked mine out and it's dead inside NOW but you say it's advised not to pinch back now. So I gather these types are not made to rebloom if I cut it back now?? (I'm sure you answered that, but can't see your response now).

Boy that was quick. Here's the message I received from the grower: "Dear Kevin, Our grower says to give the mums a hard pinch-pinch the stems back at least half way not just picking off buds-then give the plants a big dose of commercially produced fertilizer such as miracle gro or Peters and that should break them of their premature budding. Sometimes shade or real cool night time temperatures can make them bud earlier as well. Hopefully this will help. Twyla Faribault Growers, Inc." So it looks like the really cool night temps we experienced this spring can trigger the bud formation. I've included a link to this grower. If you're looking for a variety of mums at really reasonable prices, I highly recommend them. Kevin Here is a link that might be useful: Faribault Growers