How to plant phloxes in the ground. Phloxes are fiery flowers in our garden. Proper planting and care in autumn. Detailed instructions for growing phlox. How to choose healthy planting material

Due to the fact that phlox are unpretentious, and their flowering and pleasant aroma are attractive, many summer residents plant these plants in their gardens. These flowers got their name in connection with the bright color, so similar to the flame. This is how the word "phlox" is translated from the Greek language. But, despite the fact that these flowers are not capricious, they put forward their requirements when planting in the open field. Caring for phlox in the spring also provides some rules.

Varieties of phlox

In total, there are 65 varieties of this plant, and according to the structure of the stem, they are divided into erect, creeping and ascending. Planting and caring for phlox in the spring depends on the amount of free space in the country. If it is enough, then you can plant creeping species that, like a multi-colored carpet, will cover the ground.

Phloxes have an amazing ability to adapt to external conditions. This plant species is not yet fully classified, as it can be found both in the harsh conditions of Alaska and in hot desert and humid climates. North America.

Most phloxes - and in their appearance they differ only due to the places of growth. For example, on the slopes of the mountains grow stunted, moss-like phloxes that bloom in spring.

There are species of this plant that prefer moist forests, and there are those who love sandy soil and sun. Naturally, it depends on the variety in which part of the garden and how to plant phlox in the spring in the open field. Most often, summer residents plant shrubs that do not take up much space, but give lush inflorescences with many flowers and a delicate aroma.

Place for planting phlox

In order to enjoy the flowering of the flower bed as long as possible, you should determine in advance where, how to plant phlox in spring and prepare the soil:

• The flower bed should be protected from cold winds in winter. Although phlox are hardy plants, it will be a shame to lose them due to the frosty and snowless winter with chilly wind. They love to be wrapped in snow during frost.
• The site should have some shade in the midday heat, such as from fruit trees. This will protect them from burnout. In the sun, these flowers feel good, but their flowering time is somewhat reduced, so feeding phlox in the spring is mandatory.

• The flower bed should have access to watering or be located in a more humid part of the garden. If they are exposed to the sun for a long time without adequate moisture, then their lower leaves turn yellow, and the inflorescences become small and faded.

If the summer is hot, it is better to water in the evening.

Selection and preparation of soil

In order to have a brightly blooming flower bed with phloxes, it is better to prepare the land for planting them in advance. Caring for phlox in spring is not too burdensome if everything was done correctly in the fall. Since these plants have shallow roots and they are distributed in the arable layer of the earth, it is enough to add 2 buckets of humus with 1 tbsp. ash and mineral fertilizers per 1m 2 during the autumn digging of the earth.

If the soil in the garden is clay, then it is better to add river sand to it, which will allow it to retain moisture during the hot summer. If the soil, on the contrary, is sandy, then you should add dry clay, ground to a powdery state.

It is also important to ensure that there is no stagnant water in the soil before planting, otherwise the plants will die. To simplify the care of phlox in the spring in the country, you can build an artificial slide or mound from the ground and break a flower bed on it. Planting is recommended in April or early May, and it can also be done in late August and September.

Reproduction of phlox from seeds

It is good to plant annual varieties of this plant from seeds. For perennial species, this method of reproduction is unacceptable, as they most often do not retain generic characteristics.

Phlox seeds should not be buried in seedling containers, it is enough to put them on top of the ground and cover with foil, providing good lighting. You can also use peat tablets.

Caring for phlox in the spring when growing seedlings requires daily spraying of the seeds and shaking the condensate from the film. When sprouts appear, you can lightly add earth. It is best to plant seedlings at the end of March.

The sprouts that have risen can be transplanted in May, keeping the distance between them 15-20 cm, which will provide them with enough space to form a lush inflorescence.

Reproduction of phlox roots

For perennial phlox species, root propagation is used. It is not difficult to do this, the main thing is to prepare wells for new "tenants" in advance. You can divide the plant both in spring and autumn. It is important to remember that in this case, feeding phlox in the spring is laid immediately in the prepared hole for a new plant.

Rhizomes can be separated in adult plants that are 3 to 5 years old. They should be carefully dug out, cut off the stems by 10 centimeters and with a sharp knife cut the rhizome into several parts. The soil in the holes must be moist. The roots of the plant must be carefully distributed over the hole, and then sprinkled with earth. If the procedure is carried out in the fall, then the next year new seedlings will give lush inflorescences.

Phlox can also be propagated by axillary shoots that form on the plant from July to mid-August. The shoot must be carefully broken out, leaving 1-2 internodes on it. Phlox care in the spring is the same, even if they were transplanted by cuttings in the fall. The main thing is to cover them for the winter from frost, then the flowering in spring will be lush and bright.

Top dressing and watering phlox

Phlox are very grateful plants, as they are not too demanding to care for. They respond with good growth and beautiful inflorescences, even with minimal efforts from their admirers.

Phlox feeding is carried out by adding humus or mineral fertilizers in the spring. They respond well to watering them with urea, and you can also pour cut grass or bird droppings, let them ferment and water the plants.

It is important to loosen the soil, especially during the flowering period of phlox. As soon as they appear, phlox should be free from weeds.

In hot summer, it is better to additionally water the flowers, especially in the evening, not allowing the soil to dry out. To avoid overheating, plants are best planted on the east, west, or southwest side of the house or plot.

For northern areas with a continental climate, it is better to plant phloxes on the side of the area protected from the wind, where there is a lot of light. So, caring for phlox in the spring in the Urals will be reduced to a minimum, if you select a suitable place in advance and "feed" it.

Subulate phlox

The most common type of phlox, which summer residents prefer to plant, is the subulate variety. It can grow under the most unfavorable conditions, but for a beautiful flowering and a bright aroma, it is better for it to create either an earthen hill with a good drain of melt water.

Caring for subulate phlox in spring is not burdensome, but you still need to make sure that there is no stagnation of water on the ground, loosen the soil and carefully weed the weeds. These are the basic requirements, the fulfillment of which is guaranteed up to 5 years of thick and aromatic flowering.

Phlox pests and diseases

Phloxes rarely get sick, but nevertheless, if the flower bed is planted in the shade, rust may appear in them. If a plant is struck by a stem nematode, then it urgently needs to be dug out, until it moves to neighboring phloxes.

Phlox are beautiful bright flowers from the cyanotic family, which are very decorative, used in the formation of flower beds. Beautiful plants have advantages, for which gardeners are fond of - unpretentiousness in care, the ability to grow in conditions of different illumination, survival on any soil. Cut phloxes last for a long time - they can often be found in the interior design of living rooms.

Phlox grow in flower beds for many years, surviving the winter, severe frosts. Breeders have bred many varieties that differ in shades, plant height, endurance, and other indicators. This genus of plants is one of the best in the flowerbed in terms of flowering duration, ability to survive frost.

You can get your own plant by taking out seeds or a stalk. In both ways, it quickly turns out to grow an adult plant, which begins to bloom in the shortest possible time.

Planting phlox in open ground and caring for them

Phlox can be grown on almost any soil - they are unpretentious. But the most ideal ones are loamy. It is recommended to add a little lime to the soil to improve the growing conditions of the plant.

They begin to prepare the site in the fall: they arrange a thorough digging of the earth on it, during which the rhizomes of weeds and pebbles are removed, since in the early years the bushes are weakly opposed to wild vegetation.

Choose the most illuminated areas of the flower beds, because phloxes love the sun. The exception is hybrids, the petals of which can quickly burn out in the sun.

If phlox has dark petal colors, it is better to plant them interspersed with light ones, so that both in the evening and in the afternoon the flowerbed looks as beneficial as possible.

How to plant phlox in the ground, we look at the video:

Taking care of phlox is easy. It is necessary to regularly keep the soil loose, remove weeds in time. In order for the flower bed to please with exuberant flowering, fertilizers must be applied periodically.

For phlox, it doesn't matter where it grows - in the shade or in the sun. But undersized varieties need more sun. Those and other forms of plants need to be fertilized in time so that they quickly and timely grow to the desired forms.

Watering should be sufficient, but sparse. The exception is the weeks when it is very hot outside and the air humidity is minimal. Then the soil very quickly loses water, so you need to water the plant more often. This procedure is performed in the afternoon, in the late afternoon.

Some phlox varieties naturally form seeds. But this is not a 100% guarantee. In order for the plant to give seed, the required optimal air temperature, proper growing conditions, proper care... Therefore, do not worry if there are no seeds - this is quite a common occurrence.

Phlox care in autumn

Before winter, all phloxes need to be protected from frost by spudding with earth or humus, manure. The recommended layer thickness is 8-12 cm, which is sufficient to protect the underground buds from frost. A mandatory procedure is for young plants 1 year old.

Phloxes that have suffered from fungal diseases need fungicide treatment, which is carried out in October, when most of the shoots have faded.

Often, plants increase the seed, but do not have time to do this before frost. To obtain seeds, the bushes are removed from the flower bed along with the soil and planted in pots, which are kept in the building until the seeds are fully ripe.

Autumn is a great time for phlox rejuvenation and transplantation, which will be discussed later.

When to transplant phlox

Paniculate phlox - which does not require frequent transplantation. It feels comfortable up to 15 years old in one place. But due to the growth of lateral shoots and the aging of the center of the plant, it is recommended to do rejuvenation and transplantation at least every 5-7 years.

Than when and how to feed phlox

Phloxes are fed several times per season:

• In spring, in May, before flowering - with nitrogen and potassium. Potassium nitrate is great.
• In early June, feeding is repeated, adding superphosphate to potassium nitrate, which will stimulate budding and flowering.
• In early July, they feed the third time, reducing the dose of nitrogen.
• At the end of July, they are fed only with phosphorus and potassium salt.
• The last time phloxes are fed in August, and then if they are still in bloom. They use phosphorus and potash fertilizers.

The consumption of each fertilizer is calculated as follows: a matchbox of loose or granular fertilizer (or a mixture of them) for 10 liters of water. This solution is consumed per square meter.

An excellent fertilizer for phlox is fermented bird droppings, which are applied before the phlox begins to bloom. Introduce 0.5 liters. thick bumps on a bucket of water and pour 1-2 liters of solution under the bush.

Reproduction of phlox by dividing the bush

Any phlox should be divided into separate bushes so that they develop normally and have a neat appearance... The procedure is carried out at least once every 5-7 years, but it can be done more often - once every 3-4 years. They do not choose a special season for this, the division is carried out at any warm time.

In a circle, the bush is dug in, it is taken out of the soil and the shoots are shortened up to 10-15 cm long. Then, with an ax, a shovel, a knife, they divide the bush into parts with 2-5 renewal buds in each. You don't need to worry about the roots: they are long and developed.

The pits where the plant will land must be prepared in advance, that is, in the fall they are prepared for spring, and in the spring for summer. The distance between the pits is 60 cm for tall phlox and less for the rest.

The pit is filled with compost (0.5 buckets), mineral fertilizer, ash as a source of potassium. If the pH of the soil is acidic (that is, less than 5-7), you need to pour a glass of lime into each hole. Before planting phlox, all the ingredients in the pit are thoroughly mixed in order to prevent root burns.

Water is poured abundantly into the pit and placed. They cover it with a substrate, making sure that the renewal buds are covered with earth only 5 cm. Then they tamp the earth, adding compost if necessary.

The final planting layer is a mulch made of peat, leaf litter or humus, the thickness of which is 10 cm. This layer is needed to create optimal conditions in the ground and accelerate the rooting of new plants, because they must have time to do this before frost.

Phlox rejuvenation method

There are other ways to rejuvenate plants. They take a narrow pointed shovel, with which they cut out the center of the bush, process the cut site with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and pour humus on top. The resulting piece of plant can be planted in another place or divided.

Reproduction of phlox cuttings photo

Cuttings for propagation are used green, which are harvested when the plant reaches a height of 15 cm. This is the ideal time when the cuttings take root best, and then their vitality decreases throughout the year.

Cutting off young shoots, make sure that the mother plant remains with at least two developed buds. Young cuttings stand in water for an hour to protect them from wilting during planting and to speed up the rooting process. It is not worth keeping greens in water longer, so as not to cause the opposite process.

• Before setting the stalk into the ground, cut off the peduncle, pinch off the lower leaves, and partially cut the rest to reduce evaporation.
• The length of an ideal planting cut is 6-10 cm.

A mature stalk can be planted in the shade in a flower bed or held on a windowsill. The survival rate of phlox increases when they are covered with wet paper. The stalk is inserted only 2-3 cm deep into the ground, slightly tamping the soil around. Be sure to monitor the moisture content of the soil, you can cover the cut with a cut plastic bottle and remove the cover from the neck for ventilation. Rooting occurs 6-14 days after this operation.

Using autumn cuttings for phlox propagation

Autumn - ideal planting material for the reproduction of phlox. August-September is suitable for harvesting, although before that you can also harvest shoots by rooting them in shady places in the garden. When the plant overwinters on its own, it will bloom profusely in the spring.

It is important to plant the cuttings deeply, placing a large number of buds under the ground, which will provoke excellent wintering and lush growth in spring.

Growing phlox from seeds

Phlox seeds have excellent germination, so they are sown directly into the ground in spring. Many people prefer to sow phlox seeds before winter using seedling boxes. They leave them for the winter in the garden and, at the first warmth, bring them indoors to get early seedlings.

They sprout amicably, so you need to sow them as rarely as possible in order to avoid picking. However, with dense crops, it is better to plant the plants in separate cups to get powerful seedlings. They are planted in the ground in May, after hardening the plants.

The video will tell you about growing phlox from seeds:

Phlox and powdery mildew What to do if phlox turn yellow

Phloxes are not very susceptible to disease, but powdery mildew is a frequent guest of this plant. It is unpleasant in that green foliage and flowers are covered with a white unpleasant bloom, which is difficult to get rid of. The peak of the development of the disease occurs in July-August. When damaged, the leaves curl - the plant loses them. The fight against the disease must be started immediately.

Preventive measures consist in treating flowers in late autumn with copper sulfate or Bordeaux liquid at a concentration of 1%, and in summer fungicides are also added to the complex, with which the entire flowerbed is treated twice a year (foundationol, topaz, green soap, fast).

If the disease is actively manifested again, you need to change the therapy and treat the foliage with soda ash at a concentration of: 2 tbsp. l. soda is mixed with 50 g of soap and a bucket of water. Bordeaux liquid (1%), a solution of copper and soap (20-30 g of vitriol and 200-300 g of soap) also work well. But when the plant stops blooming, the diseased and dried residues are removed, after which the phlox is again treated with fungicides.

Phloxes have a pleasant external, noble flowering, therefore they will become a pleasant addition to any garden, without requiring special cares and growing conditions.

Types of phlox with photos and names

Consider the most popular varieties and types of phlox, which are especially in demand in ornamental gardening.

Phlox paniculata or Phlox paniculata

The most popular type of plant. Blooms in the last month of summer - early fall. Differs in large inflorescences, collected from multi-colored fragrant flowers - white, pink, various shades, lilac, purple. The yellow color of the petals is absent. Breeders have bred varieties that have multi-colored stripes on the petals.

The height of the bushes is 0.4-1 m. They are filled with leaves, lush greenery. The bushes themselves can consist of more than 20 shoots, growing as widely as possible.

The flowering time of paniculate phlox is the entire season. The number of varieties, their diversity is so great that you can choose summer and autumn varieties, increasing the total flowering period of the flower bed by several months.

Phlox subulate or subulum Phlox subulata

The herbaceous plant is very short (no more than 15 centimeters), with pale lilac or lilac-pink flowers in the amount of 2-4 pieces per inflorescence. Each stem contains a lot of branches that end in inflorescences. Thus, the phlox of the subulate forms a whole carpet covered with delicate flowers, under which there is a dense soddy bush. Therefore, it is also called sod phlox. Flowering time is May-June.

The species is distinguished by interesting leathery leaves, which, due to their small width and pointed end, resemble needles.

A subulate phlox is grown as a border flowering plant, used for rabatki, perennial clumps, planted in flower baskets, flowerpots. It can be cut while trying to shape flower arrangement interesting shape.

Douglas phlox Phlox douglasii

The plant is even smaller (5 cm), which spreads like a carpet over the surface of the flower bed. It blooms twice a year, which makes it especially popular. The first falls on May-June, and the second falls on the fall. The leaves are gray-green, small in width. It blooms in white, pink, pale lilac and blue.

Creeping ground cover phlox

Also a small plant that blooms very early. The height is only 15-20 cm. It is characterized by no less strong branching than other similar plants. Flowers are united in umbrellas, of which some individuals may have up to 10. Flowering time - May-June. Possible colors of the petals are pink, purple, red.

Phlox canadensis or splayed Phlox divaricata

The plant is already taller, the height of the stem of which is in the range of 15-40 cm. With the increase in size, the plants became larger and the size of the flowers - they are larger than the rest, have a white, lilac color, shades of gray. The diameter of the main inflorescence - the umbrella - is 10 cm. Seeds after flowering, the time of which is May-June, are not formed.

This species is more sensitive to soil composition than others. On peat, acidic forest soils, it will wither, but soils based on humus and various light components will be ideal. You should not add peat, leaves, fresh manure to them.

As already mentioned, paniculata phlox is the most popular species, but this does not mean that other options should not be considered. If you plant low-growing phloxes that bloom early in May-June, it will be an excellent flower bed decoration in spring. The taller species will continue to bloom in late summer and fall. Thus, there will be a blooming carpet on the site all the time, which can be used to decorate an alpine slide and rockery.

These beautiful, scented flowers came to Europe from North America over three centuries ago. And at the same time, the outstanding Swedish scientist Karl Linnaeus gave them the botanical name Phlox . And in the old days in Russia, lush multi-colored phloxes were called "calico".

Translated from Greek, Phlox means "flame", "fire". It is also translated into the language of flowers as "the flame of your lips." The Greek origin of the name of phlox flowers is explained by a beautiful legend. Allegedly, when Odysseus and the Argonauts left the dungeon of the god Hades, they threw out their burning torches on the ground. Their flame did not die out, but turned into bright flowers, sprouted, as if reminding of courageous travelers.

Today there are more than 50 species of phlox, and apart from the one-year-old Drummond, they are all perennial. In most of them, these are only underground parts (roots, rhizomes), and aboveground stems, leaves die off at the end of the growing season. However, there are also evergreens with long-lived both parts.

Today in ornamental gardening, floriculture, landscape construction, only up to 20 types of these flowers are used. You can admire the bright lush flowering of different varieties for almost six months: from early spring, all summer until late autumn... Therefore, it is difficult not to agree with the German gardener, philosopher Karl Forster, that "a garden without phlox is nonsense."

Depending on the habitat of wild phlox species, their appearance, ecological, morphological features may differ. All these plants with straight stiff stems, fragrant flowers of various colors, petal shapes are divided into 3 groups:

Among the tall, reaching heights of up to 180 cm, there are paniculate, spotted, smooth and a number of others. They give flowers from early autumn and early summer. They are usually placed in the background of flower arrangements.

Low-growing ones grow up to only 60 cm, bloom from late spring to early summer. In this subgroup, thick-leaved (Caroline), hairy, adorable, oval Delilah, Candy Twist, etc. are popular. They give a special charm to any composition when placed in the foreground.

Along with this general classification, breeders continue to create interspecific hybrids, varieties. Some of them have already started to organize separate groups.

Perennial phlox varieties with photos

When choosing a plant, we advise you to focus both on its height and on the colors of numerous varieties. There are more than 1,500 of them. It is not surprising that they are assigned very sonorous names that are associated with certain images and themes. We invite you to get acquainted with some of them:

The choice of planting material

When buying planting material, you need to pay attention to the presence of up to 5 correctly colored shoots, the length of which reaches about 6 cm. They should have a shiny surface and healthy roots shortened to 15 cm.

For planting perennial phlox, healthy plants with greenish, coarse skin and leaves intact by pests are selected. Future seedlings should have 2-3 thickened stems, large buds formed at their bases.

Even before digging, the length of the stems of adult plants is cut in half. After carefully removing the bush, cleaning it from the ground, the root system is divided into several parts.

Cutting off rhizomes for future seedlings can be done by hand, with a sharp shovel or knife. It is important not to damage the vegetative buds located at the base of the stem. Each young bush should have at least 8 buds from which new shoots will grow. And the root can die without them.

You should pay attention to the good development of the root system, the length of the root is no more than 15 cm. If necessary, the rhizomes can be shortened by only one third with a pruner.

Harvesting of planting material can be carried out even from the moment of emergence. To do this, a young shoot is carefully broken out on a healthy bush, along with part of its rhizome. On a handle with two internodes, the cut is made under the lower and higher than the upper one by 5-7 cm.

Perennial phlox can be grown using vegetative methods and, like annuals from seeds. Most often, planting materials are chosen for the reproduction of perennial phloxes thanks to the first, namely:

• Dividing the bush is considered the least laborious way. It allows you to use the plant for a new planting, while helping to rejuvenate the old bush of your favorite variety. "Delenka" is used when the age of the bush reaches 3-4 years at any time of the year. This method consists in digging it up, dividing it into parts, sprinkling the formed hole with fertile soil. Plants divided in this way with straightened roots are planted in another place with a depth of 3 cm in the soil.

• Layersare made by bending the stem to the ground until flowering. Then it is fixed along the entire length and is covered with peat with humus. By the fall, this sprouted shoot is separated from its "native" bush, transplanted to the chosen place.

Many people practice the use of spring growth shoots... They are carefully broken out with a "heel" from heavily thickened bushes at the very base of the stem. For better rooting, the shoots are first planted in a greenhouse or an insulated greenhouse, since in open ground this process is very slow. From the end of May - beginning of June, after regular watering with warm, settled water, shoots with formed roots are planted at the selected site of the site.

Cuttings carried out during the entire growing season of the plant. It begins when the shoot reaches 5 cm and ends before the end of September. Spring and summer cuttings root most successfully.

So in May-June, you can cut off small pieces of young shoots with two pairs of leaves. These cuttings are placed in moist soil and covered with a jar until they are fully rooted.

The method of grafting is advisable when it is necessary to reproduce a large number of phloxes.

Reproduction of phlox: video

When is it better to plant phlox - in spring or autumn

According to experienced florists, the most favorable time for transplanting is early spring (late April - early May).

Autumn planting is quite acceptable during the period of bud laying on the basal necks from the end of August, but not later than the first days of September.

If after hours "it is impossible, but really want to", then it is better not to plant, but to dig the chosen plant to a depth of loose soil up to 25 cm. On the eve of cold weather this place is mulched or covered with dense material.

When planting in autumn, for better rooting, it is necessary to pre-prune the upper part of the bushes. During flowering, phlox can also be transplanted, provided that it is carefully dug up with a clod of earth and further regular watering.

It is important to remember that a plant can take root, fully develop and grow without disease only if the root system is not over-dried. But summer transplanting of these plants should be avoided. At this time, they grow very slowly, they can dry out, and attack by pests.

Perennial phloxes can be planted both in autumn and spring. The key to the duration, lush bloom of phlox is right choice time and place of their planting, soil cover, agricultural techniques.

The main requirement for proper planting is soil fertility per shovel bayonet. This is due to the shallow occurrence (up to 30 cm) of a powerful, branched root system and the location of the bulk of its nutrients up to 20 cm from the soil surface.

Where to plant

The planting site should be free of moisture stagnation. Therefore, it is better not to choose damp, low-lying areas of the plots. The best option is the flower beds slightly raised in relation to the surface of the site. Despite their light-loving nature, they are more like a small partial shade than bright sunlight or thick shade.

The place should not be "open to all winds", especially during wintering. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant phlox on the north side. Planting flowers in the shade of large trees should also be avoided due to unequal forces in the struggle for light, moisture, nutrients.

When determining the "place of residence" of plants when planting, it is important to take into account their growth, color range, harmonious combination with other plants.

Soil preparation

Site selection also requires attention to soil composition. For planting phlox, light soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction is suitable. If the ground is too acidic in places suitable for him, then it will be neutralized quicklime (for 1 m² 200 g).

Clay soil is mixed with sand, and sandy soil with peat. Loamy soil can be "refined" by mixing it with mature humus, ash, bone meal in proportions of 100 g per 1 m². Such "interference with nature" + regular moderate feeding will make phlox cultivation effective.

Planting perennial and annual phloxes is not much different with the exception of some nuances. So, with a spring planting, the distance between perennials should be somewhat larger than that of annuals, since the former will grow over the years.

So, for example, between low-growing, ground cover phloxes, a distance between bushes of up to 40 cm is observed.For varieties with an average height, it should be up to 50 cm, and tall ones - at least 70 cm.Along with this, after planting, the soil around them is certainly mulched (dry humus , peat, small shavings, chopped straw, etc.).

On the eve of the onset of winter, phloxes should not be planted, but only dug to a depth of 25 cm. In this case, the place should be protected from the winter wind, and the snow should cover them. And after the soil freezes, the dug-in flowers must be covered with dry foliage or peat.

Phlox that have managed to grow up after spring cuttings are planted in the fall in open ground to a permanent place. In the absence of sufficient moisture, rains, seedlings are watered abundantly 2-3 times weekly for 14 days. The soil around them is loosened, mulched.

For planting perennials, cloudy daytime weather or in the evening is suitable.

This method of cultivation can be the result of "self-seeding" of seeds falling from the plants or by planting pre-collected seeds. In the second case, the seeds are harvested in the fall before the opening of the brown seed pods, the wilting of all the foliage.

A sign of mature seeds is their dense structure of dark green color, a characteristic crackle when pressed. Consideration should be given to the need for frequent collection due to uneven ripening. After collecting, cleaning from husks, the remnants of leaves, the finished seed material is immediately laid in the prepared soil (September-early November).

As a result of the winter natural selection the fittest survive and begin to germinate when the snow melts. In mid-May, seedlings can be planted in their designated places, taking into account the preferences of the soil composition.

Some gardeners consider the optimal time for sowing seeds to be from November to January (sowing before winter). To do this, a previously prepared flower bed or garden bed is cleared of the first snow. Then seeds are laid out on their surface with a distance of up to 5 cm from each other, sprinkled on top with a layer of up to 1 cm with garden soil, snow. The experience of this simple method of planting in open ground shows up to 70% germination, previously lush flowering.

Growing phlox seedlings by these methods allows, by diving densely sprouted seeds in the open field, to obtain rather resistant plants. Such seedlings can be planted at the desired interval and admire the flowers already in the first year of their life.

Sowing at home

When growing seedlings in indoor conditions, perennial phloxes need seed preparation for germination (stratification). To do this, after planting in a container with a substrate, they are kept for 15-20 days at room temperature and in the cold not higher than +4 ° C.

After staying in low temperature conditions, the container is placed in a bright place, separated from the heating devices by a screen. Here the air should be warmed up to the optimum for seed germination not higher than +12 ° C.

After they have sprouted, the period of traditional care for phlox seedlings begins. This is uniformity of lighting, regular watering and spraying, shelter, condensation removal, airing, picking.

Landing in the ground

It begins when the seedlings have 4-6 true leaves. They are seated at a distance of 20 cm in a pre-selected place. At the same time, the soil between still small phloxes must be mulched at least with mown grass without seeds.

This will keep the soil moist, soft, and weed-free. An indispensable type of care for growing phlox is careful loosening of the earth, weeding, watering, feeding.

How to grow perennial phlox from seeds: video

Perennial phlox care in summer

Consists of regular watering (morning, evening) at the root. After the flowers get stronger, to increase the bushiness they are pinched over 4-5 pairs of leaves. During the active flowering of phlox from July to September, all wilting inflorescences should be removed. This favors the appearance of new peduncles in the leaf axils.

During the growing period, perennials need 5 times fertilization, while annuals need 4 times. Thanks to the latter, fertilizing helps the formation of full-fledged seeds in boxes.

With proper care and feeding, the flowers will be thanked by growing for at least 7 years without losing decorativeness.

Diseases and pests

They are not overwhelmed by phlox. However, with poor care, planting in the shade, thickened plantings, powdery mildew is possible. It infects stems and leaves.

Another very unpleasant pest is the nematode (roundworms). Neighbors can help here: marigolds, nasturtium, calendula.

How to transplant phlox: video

How to master a neglected area Planting phlox: video

An attentive attitude to flowers, adherence to the rules of agricultural technology will allow you to enjoy the colorful and fragrant phlox annually.

We will continue, as agreed, the conversation about phlox... In we got acquainted with which phlox seedlings are better to choose and with the variety of their varieties.

In the same article, we will talk directly about the cultivation of the most common phlox - summer flowering.

Many growers consider these flowers to be problem-free plants. But this is far from the case, u phlox there are requirements that cannot be called modest.

And, only after completing them, we will be able to see this lush colorful foam of phlox with an intoxicating, delicately bitter aroma with nutty notes, which will fill our garden, resembling an endless sea, agitated by the breath of a warm summer breeze.

The garden takes on a bright festive look and this unrestrained flower extravaganza can last until frost, with the right selection of varieties and species.

So let's figure out the secrets cultivation our loved ones phlox.

Landing nuances

The right planting site and the "right" soil are essential ingredients for successful growth and flowering of phlox.

We choose an open and sunny place for planting, since phloxes need a lot of light to form high-quality dense inflorescences and bright juicy flowers.

They, of course, can grow well with a lack of light, but their inflorescences will be very sparse, and flowering will come much later. With sufficient light, phlox grows squat, sturdy, while in the shade they are very elongated.

Although phlox can grow on various soils, they still prefer medium and light loamy, fertilized, well-moistened, loose, slightly acidic or close to neutral.

And if we also add well-decomposed manure, humus, matured compost, ash, mineral fertilizers, then the plants will grow powerful, beautiful, healthy and will bloom for a long time and magnificently.

Most of the phlox roots are at a depth of 25-30 cm, so we need to cultivate the soil layer well to such a depth. It is best to do this in advance, 2-3 weeks in advance, since the soil should settle so that the roots do not become exposed during planting and watering.

Phlox can be planted throughout the growing season. In spring, this can be done as soon as the soil thaws and from the beginning of the regrowth of the shoots until they reach a height of 10-15 cm.

For spring planting, flowering times are usually delayed by 10-12 days. And do not forget that in spring the planting time is very short - only the first half of May.

Phlox are planted at a distance of 40-60 cm from each other, taking into account the size of the seedling and the characteristics of the variety.

When planting low curb varieties, the distance can be reduced, and if we plant powerful varieties of phlox, then the distance between them is increased. In autumn, planting dates are from the second half of August to the end of September, but you should not hesitate too much, since it is necessary that the seedlings have time to take root well, otherwise they may freeze out if the winter is cold and with little snow.

In the fall, we plant phloxes with stems and leaves, cutting off only the faded top, because the leaf apparatus is still working and will help the plant to prepare well for winter.

Phlox planted in autumn will bloom on time next summer.

If you are late with the purchase of planting material, then it would be better not to plant it, but to dig it in an area with loose soil to a depth of 20-25 cm, protecting it from frost with mulch or non-woven covering material. Phlox can be planted in summer, but with a clod of earth and abundant watering, while removing the inflorescences, in order to direct all the plant's forces to rooting.

We prune the roots before planting in order to rejuvenate them, and also cut out all diseased and dented parts of the plant to healthy tissue.

Phlox can also be transplanted even in a flowering state, but only under the condition of careful digging of seedlings and abundant watering before they take root. Do not allow the rhizome to dry out, as in this case the plant will take root much worse, it will hurt further development it will slow down. We make the planting hole in such a size that the root system is placed in it freely and we fill it with water.

After the water is absorbed, we proceed directly to planting the seedling. We spread the roots well, fill the voids around them with nutritious soil, lightly press with our hands and water.

In this case, the top of the rhizome should be 3-5 cm below the soil surface. If we plant a plant too small, then it may suffer from adverse weather conditions and even die in winter, and if the planting is deep, then the development of a two-tiered root system is possible and the development of the bush slows down.

Pay attention to the possible shrinkage of the soil after planting, if this happened, then add a layer of loose nutritious soil to the roots.

Until the plant takes root (this is about two weeks), it is necessary to constantly maintain soil moisture.

Phloxes love food

So that phloxes can grow in one place for a long time without transplanting and bloom profusely, it is necessary to apply fertilizers annually.

Also, feeding is required for plants throughout the growing season.

You can feed them 5-6 times per season. The second half of May is the time of intensive plant growth - the emergence of seedlings and the beginning of the formation of peduncles.

During this period, phloxes most of all need nitrogen, so try to select mineral fertilizers that contain more of it in their composition.

First feedingwe carry out immediately after the snow melts. Mineral fertilizers can be applied both in dry form, followed by embedding it in the soil, or by dissolving the granules in water, which will accelerate the delivery of nutrition to the plant roots.

The second We will carry out nitrogen-containing feeding at the end of May, using an infusion of mullein, nettle or horse manure with the addition of sodium humate.

If the plant has a lack of nitrogen, then its foliage will be pale, and the plant itself will grow poorly.

But at the same time, it is impossible to overfeed with nitrogen, since in this case the green mass grows strongly, and the phlox will bloom worse. In addition, the stems of the plant crack, the bushes fall apart and in such a weakened form they are more often affected by diseases and annoyed by pests. So, everything is good in moderation.

During budding and flowering phlox we carry out third feeding, in which we reduce the proportion of nitrogen and increase the amount of potassium by introducing potassium sulfate (10 g per bucket of water) or ash (1 glass per 10 liters of water).

A sufficient potassium content in the soil enhances the color of the flowers, forms a lush bloom and helps phlox bloom for a longer time. The lack of it reduces the decorativeness and brightness of flowering, and a brown dry rim appears along the edge of the leaves.

When fourth feeding to this composition we add another 10-15 g of phosphorus fertilizers (superphosphate or double superphosphate), which contribute to lush flowering, seed ripening and prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases, as well as increase resistance to adverse weather conditions.

The next top dressing ( fifth) falls on the period when phlox begin to fade and seed pods are formed. At this time, fertilizing is carried out with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (20 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium sulfate per bucket of water).

For the introduction of phosphorus into the soil, it is very good to use bone meal, which is an organic fertilizer and provides plants with this element for a long time.

Phloxes begin to prepare for winter and are in great need of phosphorus and potassium for better ripening of rhizomes and laying of renewal buds.

Also, do not forget about foliar feeding on leaves, to which phloxes respond well.

It is best to feed the plants in the evening after abundant watering, and even better after rain, when the soil is well saturated with moisture.

If the soil is dry, then top dressing can cause burns to the roots and the plants themselves.

We try to apply all fertilizers under the base of the bush, avoiding their contact with the leaves.

Applying the correct nutritional system, we will be able to grow phlox in one place for seven years without losing their decorative effect.

And, accordingly, if the need for nutrients is not satisfied and the care for them is poor, then the bushes age very quickly.

Watering and mulching

Phloxes are moisture-loving plants and they tolerate the lack of moisture quite painfully: they lose leaves, inflorescences and flowers become smaller, flowering times are reduced, bushes become stunted.

To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to shed the soil to the full depth of the roots. This is approximately 1.5-2 buckets of water per 1 sq. m landings. It is better to water in the evening or in the morning.

I draw your attention to the fact that you can not water phlox cold water during the day in the heat, as the stems can crack, and the bush can fall apart.

Therefore, it is best to water phlox on the ground around the bush, or you can even leave a hose with water near the bush for a while.

Another very important point - planting phlox in the winter should leave saturated with water. This will help them to endure the winter well and will be the key to abundant flowering in the next season.

The best way to keep moisture in the soil is by mulching. The peculiarity of phlox growth is that they grow along the periphery of the bush, and its middle part gradually grows old, sticks out to the soil surface and becomes bare.

The roots are completely unprotected, and if the winter is cold and snowless, the danger of freezing is very great. And in the heat, such bushes suffer greatly.

For mulching, you can use cut and chopped grass, compost, tree bark, neutral peat and humus.

If you do not mulch the plantings, then periodically you need to loosen the soil, especially after heavy watering or heavy rains.

Loosening is necessary to prevent the formation of a dense soil crust, which impedes the flow of air to the roots.

But at the same time, do not forget about the peculiarities of the development of the phlox root system, which grows upward and along the periphery, and gradually the roots appear practically on the soil surface.

In this regard, we loosen very carefully, without damaging the roots.

Autumn pruning

Many gardeners cut paniculate phlox for the winter, leaving hemp of 10-15 cm.

I advise you to cut them very shortly, almost flush with the ground, since the left hemp helps to overwinter pests and spores of various diseases on them.

We prune with the onset of a stable cold weather, approximately in the second decade of October.

We treat the base of the bush and the soil around it with fungicides against diseases.

Approximately 10 days after treatment, we mulch planting phlox, but it is advisable to sprinkle 1 tablespoon of superphosphate under the mulch (already on the frozen ground) and a handful of ash under each bush. This will be a good incentive for the spring start of plants, and besides, ash will help scare off pests.

In this section, I will probably end this article. We still have to consider two issues in growing phlox:; diseases and pests of phlox, as well as measures to combat them.

See you soon, dear readers!

Phloxes decorate gardens with a variety of colors and shades. More than 60 types allow you to decorate areas in an unusual way. In summer, you should not multiply them, since they do not take root well. In contrast, planting phlox in the fall will speed up flowering as early as next year.

Tips from experienced flower growers on how to plant plants in open ground, prepare the soil, fertilize and help the flower survive the winter will come in handy for every gardener.

Planting features in autumn

When to plant perennial phlox? Phlox are perennials that bloom luxuriantly for several years, but over the years the flowers become smaller, and the bush requires rejuvenation or transplantation. Many gardeners like to experiment and change the look of the site in spring or fall. But at the end of summer, new ideas emerge: what to change, what plants and colors to add. Therefore, phlox transplantation is organized to another place.

Despite the fact that this is a rather unpretentious flower, planting phlox in the fall has its own characteristics and some advantages:

1. The bush does without additional watering. As a rule, autumn rains are enough for rooting.
2. In autumn, there is a longer period that promotes vegetation, rooting and is equal to 30–40 days. In the spring, growers use only two weeks.
3. Plants planted during this period bloom next summer. In contrast, spring breeding delays flowering in the first year.
4. After flowering, it is easier to determine which varieties will be added or removed to create a single image of the site.
5. Plants obtained from cuttings take root better.

Based on these factors, it becomes clear that transplanting plants into open ground in autumn is not only possible, but also provides a number of advantages. If you follow certain tips of agricultural technology, better reproduction is obtained.

How to choose healthy planting material

Types of phlox

There are also popular varieties: Dusk, Karl Foster, Childhood, Smoky Coral, Ural Rocks, etc. The main parameters of the planting material:

• hardened stem skin;
• two thick, developed stems;
• large basal buds;
• lack of rot and mechanical damage;
• delenki with powerful roots.

Landing preparation

The roots are cut off (about 15 cm are left). If the bush is transplanted with an earthen lump, phlox (color top) pruning is carried out. At least three intact leaves are left on the trunk, this contributes to the preparation of the plant for wintering.

Planting dates in autumn

Early and medium flowering phloxes begin to prepare for breeding at the end of August. During this period, the buds of renewal are already formed and after transplantation the flower does not die. When to transplant late-flowering phlox? The bushes are transferred to a new place in the second decade of September.

Seat selection

It is advisable to grow phlox on a loose fertile area. A loamy soil with a neutral (or close to it) acidity level is suitable for them. The features of improving the structure of the land are described in the next paragraph.

Soil preparation

Planting phlox and landscape design begins with the selection of a site, which is prepared in advance, about a couple of weeks before the planned planting. It must be dug up so that the earth has time to settle, and the flowerbed does not turn out to be buried in comparison with the rest of the site.

It is necessary to dig the site to a depth of at least 35 cm, since the rhizome is in the soil at a depth of 20 cm. Remove debris, plant roots, perennial weeds. To do this, use:

• compost;
• coarse river sand;
• ventilated peat;
• ripe humus (preferably made from leaves).

The approach to sandy soil is different. It is necessary to improve the structure, moisture capacity, to make the soil nutritious; for this, clay, turf soil, lime or wood ash, and mineral fertilizers are added during the digging process.

Step-by-step planting process

The prepared planting material is planted according to the chosen scheme. The distance is chosen depending on the size of the adult plant.

Detailed instructions for the sequence of work:

• a hole is dug in such an area that all the roots can freely fit in it;
• a layer of river sand is poured on the bottom, this will improve drainage;
• the top of the root is about 5 cm from the ground level, otherwise the rhizomes may freeze. With a deeper placement, the development of the aerial part slows down, since the root system is formed in two tiers;
• the hole is abundantly watered with water, a handful of humus, wood ash + phosphorus fertilizers (1 tbsp) are poured into it. Planting material is placed in liquid earth;
• top covered with excavated soil. No additional watering is required;
• the earth is compacted, leveled, the created flower bed should be 15 cm high.

In autumn, only potash and phosphorus fertilizers are applied. Complex mixtures containing nitrogen are applied in the spring until May.

Expert advice! “Fresh manure cannot be used. The bush builds up powerful foliage, but it will not bloom. "

Competent feeding

Top dressing in the fall is required. A complex fertilizer mixed with ash is scattered over the frozen ground. In spring, a solution of mineral fertilizer (10 g per bucket of water) increases the intensity and duration of flowering.

The main methods of breeding

Plants are propagated in two ways: by dividing the bush and by cuttings. In the first case, the adult plant is completely dug up. The rhizome is cut with a sharp, clean knife to obtain a full-fledged planting material. The cut site is treated with ash, dried a little and only then planted in the chosen place. Otherwise, the root will rot or the plant will hurt.

The second way is that:

1. the stem is cut from an adult healthy bush;
2. cuttings are cut no more than 15–20 cm long;
3. treated with a drug that promotes root formation and planted in a mixture of loamy soil and peat soil;
4. regular watering is organized to keep the soil moist;
5. cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place in the fall.

How to carry out regular care

Spring care after winter consists in fertilizing, watering, loosening the soil, fighting pests and diseases. Planting phloxes in the fall, including proper care, is not complete without watering. Phlox are such plants that are afraid of both lack of moisture and excessive watering. Abundant daily dew can damage the flowers, but not provide the necessary moisture to the entire bush.

If there is not enough liquid, the root begins to dry out. To retain precious moisture, loosening must be kept to a minimum. And in order not to damage the roots, growers mulch the bud around the bushes. With this agrotechnical method, rain moisture is preserved, the earth is not compacted and the flower develops and blooms well.

Pruning phlox or puncturing consists in regularly tearing off the shoots of the plant. This technique pushes back the flowering period, promotes the formation of additional lateral shoots, since by removing inflorescences and flowers, seed ripening is prevented. As a result, conditions are created for continued flowering.

There are two types of trimming. First: the stems are cut 5 cm from the soil surface, this allows you to accumulate nutrients in the rhizome and protect them during frosts. The second way: cut off the aerial part at the soil level, which becomes a good prevention of fungal diseases.

Diseases and treatment

In spring, phloxes are affected by diseases and pests of flowering plants, as a result, their decorative effect deteriorates. Often the reason is poor quality fertilizers and planting material, placement in partial shade. Flowers get sick: phomosis, leaf spot, powdery mildew, phlox nematode. This is especially true in the spring-summer season at low temperatures and high humidity in June, July.

The most common is powdery mildew, which looks like spider webs that attack the leaves. The disease begins to spread from the soil and eventually affects the entire flowering bush. As soon as the lesions are revealed, they must be cut off. Such systemic protection gives the desired result.

However, if you delay the treatment, the diseased plant infects others, which eventually die, so it is important to treat not only the bushes with fungicides, but also the ground around, this will contribute to the treatment and the restoration of decorative properties. On a plant infected with a nematode, the leaves become thin, ribbon-like, it is better to remove such a plant along with the roots.

After that, you need to withstand a certain period - 3 years. Phloxes and perennial flowers of this family cannot be planted on such a flower garden.

Every year in October, the soil is treated with fungicides that kill disease-causing spores. It is also important to do this in the spring, when the spores awaken.

Thorough preparation for winter

To prevent the death of planting material, gardeners protect plantings from frost. For this, rotted sawdust, various bulk materials of organic origin, peat are used. They increase the temperature in the root zone and prevent it from freezing.

After the snow melts, the mulch is immediately removed, which gives access to the rays of the sun, contributes to good heating of the soil and the rapid appearance of leaves. In the future, the stems are cut off each year before wintering, this will prevent the bush from fungal diseases.

Florist advice! "Under no circumstances do they use polyethylene film or roofing material, they do not allow air to pass through and provoke the death of the plant, since the roots are blown out."

Frequent mistakes when growing

Despite the fact that phlox are not exotic plants, the following problems arise:

• high humidity attracts slugs, which devour plantings. The fight is reduced to the application of lime and wood ash around the bushes, which destroy the slugs;
• planting in an inappropriate place, strong shade or wetland. In the first case, the bush blooms poorly. In the second, the rhizomes rot and die;
• excess mineral fertilizers or manure application. The plant "fattens", builds up a huge mass of leaves and refuses to bloom;
• deep planting of the rhizome also postpones the flowering period;
• untimely plant transplantation provokes plant oppression;
• having bought planting material not in a specialized store, you can bring pathogenic fungal diseases to the site.

Correct planting of perennial phloxes, selection and preparation of the site, healthy planting material, adherence to planting, care, watering, feeding technologies guarantee profuse flowering, which will decorate the garden, plot and delight the owners.