(got to be a green bungee cord)

NJBob said:I have always cut them in half at end of June and again at end of July , and have not needed to cage them.

So that's your secret.

I usually pinch mine twice but not in half! That probably would keep them compact.

This is Raspberry Wine Monarda, I did not know it would be almost 5 feet tall. What to do?

Wow, that's TALL! Have you looked at Gardener's Supply for what they have to stake plants? Not sure they have anything that tall. Wonder what would happen if you had cut it back?

I'm going to ask Bob, I am pretty sure he has one.

Mine do not get that tall more in the area of 3 foot tall, the biggest problem I have is that they spread too much. It might have to go. They set bud early in the season compared to mums , so I guess you could cut them back in early June.

I avoid cutting back Monarda because it has hollow stems. I've had it rot out on me when I cut it back.

But then again, the newest one I have is such a runner that might be okay if part of it died out!

Thanks all, I am thinking that I don't care if it dies also. I have a couple of different ones that are sending out shoots and I do not want to see these get out of control like the black eyed susan. One plant took over a whole bed. I have plenty of stuff waiting for dirt and so if I am not happy with something it just goes into the trash that's all. But I just really love the color on this one, I might move it to the other end of the bed and try to find another spot for my salvia Hot Lips. Oh, the sacrifices we must make. I will cut them back also to make sure they do not get too tall.

Picture of one of my mom's yellow mums with a black petunia growing through it. Click on pic to see the whole thing.

Those are beautiful.

Oooh, gorgeous! Nice contrast!

That's really pretty! Love the yellow mum.

Beautiful mums everyone.
I worked for a green house guy who was a Chrysanthemum agent.He told me they keep the plants sheared until July or so ,then super feed with hormones so they will fill with blooms for the late August September sales.
I always wondered how those pillows of solid blooms happened.

Hormones huh? I think you can get loads of blooms without if you keep them sheared. But I wonder what kind of hormones he's talking about?

Thank you, I do get a ton of blooms without hormones also. I know some nurseries want to control the bloom time with hormones but I feel it wears out the plant and the following year it will not bloom good if at all.

Oh, here are some Mums in here. From my Dentist.

I buy Asters and they live and I always save the seeds and plant them in the same spot so when the original plant dies the seeded babies take its place.

I have never been able to keep Garden Mums alive. Maybe as has been said they should be planted in the Spring.

Nice bouquet, Susan. From your dentist? Hmmmm.....

Cinta, do you cut the mums back after they bloom? They have hollow stems and if you cut them back the chance for moisture to settle in the stems and freeze is greater and can cause the mums not to survive the winter. I know it looks messier but I never cut mine back until spring.