Phlox: planting and care

Phlox got their name for an interesting feature - the inflorescences of this plant seem to shine in the sun. This plant is very popular with gardeners. If you are not growing phlox yet, it's time to plant some shrubs on the site.

Planting phlox

These plants are perennial, so they need plant in spring or autumn. If you decide to plant phlox in the fall, then do it at the end of summer. Then, before the onset of cold weather, the plants will be able to adapt to new conditions and survive the winter period better. If you plant the plant too late, then before the onset of cold weather, mulch the soil over the rhizome and cover the planting with a film. So you can maintain a positive temperature in this place for some time.

Late varieties of phlox are best planted in spring. In the spring, you need to have time to plant seedlings within 10 days. This time should be at the end of April, when the soil is still cool and saturated with moisture.

Phloxes are planted in small pits so that only the rhizome of the plant can fit in them. It is enough to dig up the phlox area to the depth of the shovel bayonet, since the main roots are in the surface layer of the soil. Apply organic fertilizer before digging. Too dense soil can be thinned with sand.

Phlox varieties

Brought out many very different varieties phlox. They differ in shape and color. The most popular and beautiful varieties are:

• Phlox varieties Aida, under good conditions, grow up to 90 cm in height. They begin to bloom in the second half of summer. Their flowers grow up to 3.5 cm in diameter and have a bright pink color that turns into purple as flowering ends.
• Alyonushka phloxes are distinguished by an abundance of green mass on strong, but rare stems. Flowers 4 cm in size have white petals with a raspberry center.
• Phlox varieties Snow White bloom magnificently and for a long time. They form wide inflorescences in the form of a pyramid. The flowers are white with a slight pinkish tint.
• Phlox Boni Maid reach a height of 70 cm. They are distinguished by dense round inflorescences of a delicate purple hue.
• Phlox varieties Viking are distinguished by globular inflorescences, which resemble hydrangea. The flowers of this variety are pink with a small crimson ring in the central part, spreading rays to the edges.

Phlox transplant

Phlox constantly growing in one area can degenerate over time. Therefore, they need to be transplanted to another place from time to time. It is best to do this in the fall. So the roots of the plant will begin to grow immediately after the snow cover melts. At the same time, during the fall, the plant will be able to root enough to survive the winter.

Prepare in advance transplant site... Dig it up and remove all the weeds. First fertilize the soil with organic additives, and then add minerals. To do this, mix compost or ripe manure, wood ash, ammonium nitrate and potassium salts with the ground, and add superphosphate.

For an autumn transplant, shorten the stems by a third. In the spring, these stems will have to be completely cut off. If you are replanting the plant in the spring, there is no need to prune the stems.

Home phlox

The plant also feels great at home. On sale there are both already flowering specimens and specially prepared rhizomes. In the latter case, the rhizome must be carefully planted in a pot, being careful not to damage the roots. For planting, a pot with a diameter of up to 30 cm and the same depth is suitable. Be sure to place a layer of drainage on the bottom and then add medium-density nutrient soil. Blooming phlox also needs to be transplanted into another container.

Caring for phlox at home is not difficult. It must be watered regularly so that the soil does not dry out. It is imperative to loosen the top layer to better supply the root system with oxygen. If the plant wilted a little after transplanting, then cover it with a bag with small holes. So the plant will better adapt to new conditions.

Phlox in the open field

Plant phlox where water does not stagnate. Excess moisture can cause plant death. Therefore, it is better to plant phlox on a hill or create a small mound for them artificially. In the spring, the soil around the phlox should be mulched to get rid of the weeds. Tall plants must be tied to a support.

Phlox care

These flowers love moisture, but still do not be zealous and flood the plant. Just keep the soil moist at all times. Be sure to regularly loosen the soil to ensure aeration of the roots. After mid-summer, combine loosening and hilling. This will speed up root formation.

For phlox, feeding with different types of fertilizers is very useful. Do it organically for the first time at the end of May. Then, in early June, feed the plant again with organic fertilizer with the addition of superphosphate or potassium salts. In early July, re-feed the phlox with organic supplements. And at the end of the same month, add potassium salt and phosphorus.

Reproduction of phlox

Often phlox multiply the usual division of the bush. You can divide the bush during plant transplantation. Dig up the bush and gently shake off the dirt. Then disassemble the root system and separate the root collars from each other. Make sure that buds of shoots are present on each lobe. Immediately after this, plant the divisions in a new area.

It is very easy to propagate phlox by cuttings. This is best done in May or June. Cut the cuttings from healthy and well-developed stems. Make 2 knots on each handle. Cut the cutting from the bottom under the very knot, and on top a couple of centimeters above the knot. Cut the leaves from below entirely, and shorten the top ones. Cuttings can be planted directly into the ground in a greenhouse. Deepen it to the level of the top node, squeezing it well with earth. Shade out of direct sunlight after planting. For three weeks, water them often, but little by little. After 3 weeks, the first leaves will appear and new shoots are formed.

Phlox: photo

Phlox: video