Due to the fact that phlox is 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 a bright color, so similar to a flame. This is how the word phlox is translated from Greek. But, despite the fact that these flowers are not capricious, they put forward their requirements when planting in the open ground. 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, cover the ground.
Phloxes have an amazing ability to adapt to external conditions. This species of plant has not yet been fully classified, as it can be found both in the harsh conditions of Alaska, and in the hot desert, and in the humid climate of North America.
Most phloxes are perennials, and in their appearance they differ only due to their 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 that love sandy soil and the sun. Naturally, it depends on the variety in which part of the garden and how to plant phlox in the spring in the open ground. Most often, summer residents plant shrub species of phlox, which do not take up much space, but give lush inflorescences with many flowers and a delicate aroma.
Phlox Place
In order to enjoy the flowering of the flowerbed as long as possible, you should determine in advance where, how to plant phlox in the spring and prepare the soil:
- The flowerbed should be protected from cold winds in the winter. Although phlox is a frost-resistant plant, it would be a pity to lose them due to a frosty and snowless winter with a chilly wind. They love to be wrapped in snow during frost.
- The site should have a slight shadow in the midday heat, for example, 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 spring in the spring is mandatory.
- The flowerbed should have access to watering or be in a wetter part of the garden. If they are exposed to prolonged exposure to the sun without proper moisture, their lower leaves turn yellow, and the inflorescences become small and faded.
If the summer turned out to be hot, it is better to water in the evening.
Soil selection and preparation
To have a brightly blooming flowerbed with phloxes, it is better to prepare the land for planting in advance. Caring for phlox in the 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 from 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 dry clay should be added, ground to a powder state.
It is also important to monitor before planting so that there is no stagnation of water in the soil, otherwise the plants will die. To simplify the care of phlox in the spring at the cottage, you can build an artificial hill or mound from the ground and break a flower bed on it. Landing is recommended in April or early May, and this 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 characters.
Phlox seeds should not be buried in seedlings, just put them on top of the ground and cover with a film, providing good lighting. Peat tablets may also be used.
Caring for phlox in spring when growing seedlings requires daily spraying of seeds and shaking from the film of condensate formed. When sprouts appear, you can lightly sprinkle the earth. Planting phlox seeds on seedlings is best in late March.
Rising sprouts can be transplanted into the open ground in May, keeping a distance between them of 15-20 cm, which will provide them with enough space for the formation of a lush inflorescence.
Phlox propagation by roots
For perennial phlox species, root reproduction is used. It is not difficult to do this, the main thing is to pre-prepare the holes for the new "residents". You can divide the plant both in spring and autumn. It is important to remember that in this case, the feeding of phlox in the spring is laid immediately in the prepared hole for a new plant.
Rhizomes can be divided in adult plants that are from 3 to 5 years old. They should be dug carefully, cut the stems of centimeters by 10 and with a sharp knife cut the rhizome into several parts. The soil in the wells should be moistened. The roots of the plant must be carefully distributed over the pit, and then sprinkled with earth. If the procedure is carried out in the fall, then next year new seedlings will give magnificent inflorescences.
Phlox can also be propagated by axillary shoots, which are formed on the plant from July to mid-August. The shoot must be carefully broken down, leaving 1-2 internodes on it. Care for phlox in the spring is the same, even if they were transplanted with cuttings in the fall. The main thing is to cover them for the winter from frost, then flowering in the spring will be lush and bright.
Feeding and watering phlox
Phloxes are very grateful plants, since they are not too demanding in care. They respond with good growth and beautiful inflorescences, even with the minimum efforts of their fans.
Phlox is fed by adding humus or mineral fertilizers in the spring. They respond well to watering them with urea, and you can also fill in mowed grass or bird droppings, let them ferment and water the plants.
It is important to loosen the soil, especially during the flowering phase of phlox. As they appear, phlox should be freed from weeds.
In hot summers, it is better to water the flowers additionally, especially in the evening, preventing the soil from drying out. To avoid overheating, plants are best planted on the east, west, or southwest side of a house or plot.
For northern territories with a continental climate, it is better to plant phloxes on the side of the site protected from the wind, where there is a lot of light. So, phlox care in the spring in the Urals will be minimized if you select a suitable place in advance and “feed” it.
Awl-shaped phlox
The most common type of phlox, which gardeners prefer to plant, is an awl-like variety. It can grow even under the most adverse conditions, but for a beautiful flowering and bright aroma it is better for him to create an alpine hill or earthen hill with a good drain of melt water.
Caring for the awl-shaped phlox in the spring is not burdensome, but you still need to ensure 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 dense and fragrant flowering.
Pests and phlox diseases
Phloxes rarely get sick, but still, if a flowerbed is planted in the shade, they may show powdery mildew or rust. If a plant was struck by a stem nematode, then it urgently needs to be dug up until it has switched to neighboring phlox.