1. Variety selection
When choosing a phlox variety, you need to consider the following factors:
- Purpose of cultivation: For cultivation as an ornamental plant, varieties with beautiful inflorescences are selected, which can be painted in various colors, including white, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple.
- Winter hardiness: Phlox is a frost-resistant plant that can withstand frosts down to -30 °C.
2. Soil preparation
Phlox is a light-loving and moisture-loving plant, so to grow it you need to prepare a sunny and well-drained place.
The soil for planting phlox must be fertile and neutral or slightly acidic.
3. Landing
Phlox can be grown either by seedlings or by sowing seeds in open ground.
When growing seedlings, phlox seeds are sown in March-April in seedling boxes or containers. Shoots appear in 7-10 days. Seedlings are planted in separate pots or cups in the phase of 2-3 true leaves. Seedlings are planted in open ground in May-June, when the threat of frost has passed.
When sowing seeds in open ground, phlox seeds are sown in May-June, when the soil warms up to +15 °C. The seeding depth is 1-2 cm.
4. Plant care
Phlox is an unpretentious plant, but to obtain good growth and development, the following measures must be taken:
- Watering: Phlox is a moisture-loving plant, so during the growing season it is necessary to regularly water the plants, especially in hot weather.
- Fertilizing: During the period of active plant growth, 2-3 fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out. The first feeding is carried out in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the second - in the flowering phase, the third - in the fruiting phase.
- Weeding: It is necessary to weed regularly so that they do not choke the plants.
- Loosening: It is necessary to regularly loosen the soil around the plants to improve aeration and moisture permeability of the soil.
5. Harvest
Phlox begins to bloom in July-August. Phlox blooms until the end of September.
Additional Tips
- To obtain earlier flowering, paniculata phlox can be grown as seedlings.
- To increase the decorativeness of the plant, you can shape the bush.