How to plant phloxes and how to provide them with proper care
Miscellaneous / / May 13, 2023
We figure out how to choose seedlings, when to start planting and how to care for flowers.
When to plant phlox
There are two suitable periods. In spring, phloxes are planted as soon as the snow melts and the soil thaws. For the south, this is approximately the first half of April; for the middle lane - mid-April - early May; for the north - May.
Phloxes are also placed on flowerbeds towards the end of the season - from the last days of August to the beginning of October. Focus on the climatic features of your region: it is important to have time to plant a rhizome 3-4 weeks before frost so that the plant can take root in anticipation of winter.
How to choose phlox seedlings
Flower rhizomes can be found at garden centers.
Decide on a variety
Phloxes differ in the size of the bush and the time of the beginning of flowering. The smallest - creeping varieties - reach only 5-15 cm in height. The dwarf group grows up to 25–35 cm, and the medium-sized group grows up to 40–70 cm. These three types of phlox bloom in late spring - early summer.
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Creeping phloxes. Frame: Phlox Garden / YouTube
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Dwarf phloxes. Frame: Phlox Garden / YouTube
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Medium sized phloxes. Frame: Flower Palette / YouTube
Tall phloxes reach 90–180 cm in height, and their bloom starts towards the middle of summer.
The color of the petals can be very different - from snow-white to rich burgundy. Creeping and dwarf varieties produce many individual flowers of a simple shape, making the plant resemble a bright carpet. Medium-sized and tall ones bloom with lush caps on the tops of the stems.
Pay attention to the quality of the seedling
Usually the rhizomes of these flowers are sold in transparent bags and wrapped in peat or sawdust. Before buying, carefully inspect the planting material. The phlox should have live buds that can even start growing a little.
The root system of a healthy seedling is well developed and has many branches. Make sure most of the phlox roots are alive and light in color.
How to prepare a place for planting phlox
Tall and medium-sized phloxes should be planted at a distance of 40-60 cm from each other. Low and creeping - at a distance of 30-40 cm.
Decide on a landing site
The best thing plant phloxes in sunny beds - so their flowering will be bright and lush. Light shading is allowed during the midday hours. You should not place these plants in dark places - due to lack of lighting, the flowers will be small and lose their decorative effect.
For tall and medium-sized phloxes, areas blown by strong winds that can break the stems of the plant are not suitable. Also, the flower bed should not be located in a lowland or in another place where water stagnates in the soil. Phlox prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil - pH 5.5 to 7.0.
Make planting holes
Their size depends on the volume of the root system of the seedling. The hole should be about 10 cm deeper than the length of the roots, and the diameter should be 10–15 cm larger than the phlox in width.
Pour 2 tablespoons into the bottom of each well. superphosphate and mix the granules with the ground so that they are evenly distributed.
How to plant phlox
Place the seedling in the hole so that its sprouts are pointing up. The root neck (the junction of the roots and buds) should be a maximum of 4–5 cm below the ground. If necessary, add soil to the bottom of the hole or, conversely, remove the excess. Then carefully straighten the phlox roots.
Fill all voids around the roots with soil. Press lightly on its surface with the palms of your hands.
Water the phlox generously. One plant will need about 5 liters of water.
How to care for phlox after planting
Water the phlox
Do not allow the earth to dry out in the flower bed, but also do not overdo it with watering: the surface of the soil should be slightly damp. The frequency of the procedure will depend on the quality of the soil and the weather. For the first time after planting, try to water the phlox with a watering can with a diffuser nozzle so as not to wash out the soil and expose the rhizome of the plant. With the advent of frost, it is not necessary to moisten the earth.
Loosen and weed the flower bed
Loosen the soil around the phlox at least once a week to provide oxygen to their roots. Delete everything promptly weeds. They not only spoil the appearance of the flower bed, but also take nutrients from the soil.
Feed the phlox
After the autumn planting, this is not necessary - the phlox will have enough of the substances that you poured into the hole. If you moved the plant to a flower bed in the spring, then the first top dressing should be carried out as soon as buds begin to form on the bush. Dissolve 30 g of ammonium nitrate in 10 liters of water and water the flowers under the root. This volume of the mixture is enough for 1 m² of flower beds.
The next time fertilizers are applied during the period of active flowering of phloxes. In 10 liters of water, dilute 20 g of potassium sulfate and 20 g of superphosphate. Water the plants under the root at the rate of 10 liters of solution per 1 m² of plantings.
When the phloxes fade, feed them again. To do this, dissolve 20 g of potassium nitrate, 40 g of wood ash and 40 g of superphosphate in 10 liters of water, and then water the plants under the root. For 1 m² of flower beds you will need 10 liters of nutrient fluid.
All top dressing it is important to spend in the evening so that the sunlight does not burn the stems. Also remember that fertilizers are applied to moist soil - this protects the roots.
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