Phlox Drummond (Latin name "Phlox Drummondii") got its name in honor of the traveler G. Drummond. He was the first to send the seeds of this flower to Europe. Thus, the Europeans discovered a new type of phlox.
Grade description
Phloxes are perennials. It is difficult to grow them in rock gardens, along curbs and in discounts due to their high growth. Large-flowered bush one year old reaches 50 cm in height. Inflorescences are presented in the form of umbrellas with a diameter of 2 cm. Phlox blooms from mid-summer to late autumn.
A color scheme
There are many varieties. They vary in shape, petals and color. Below are the most popular varieties:
- Buttons are two-color phloxes with white eyes in the center. Reach 20 cm in height. Resistant to hot climates;
- The Milky Way and Starry Lace are virtually indistinguishable. The main feature is inflorescences in the shape of a star;
- Chanel and Strawberry with cream is a mix of varieties with lush flowers of a terry look;
- Tetra Riesen and Grandiflora are hybrid varieties. Resistant to cold. They have a large number of colors and tones: from white to pastel and salmon.
Growing Phlox Drummond
Growing phlox drummond begins with the right choice of place. The annual is adapted to heat and drought. Perennials are not recommended to be planted in an open area, the sun can ruin the flowers. Easy to withstand light frosts. Frost can destroy only the petals, the bush itself will not suffer.
Note! Not suitable for growing sandy soil (heavy and light). The first type retains an increased amount of moisture, which leads to rotting of the root system, the second, on the contrary, is not able to retain moisture. From a lack of water, the plant dies.
For cultivation, it is necessary to prepare the soil. It should be added:
- peat;
- humus;
- humus and others
Sowing seeds in open ground
Sowing phlox drummond produce twice a year: in autumn and winter.
Autumn seed planting
In the absence of space on the windowsill, the seeds are planted directly in the ground. The end of September is the best time for autumn sowing.
Having made small depressions, water is poured into them. After soaking, 3-4 seeds are laid out in each well. You need to plant at a distance of at least 15 cm. Planting is covered with lutrasil or spandbond. Two weeks later, the first sprouts emerge. The earth is loosened and saturated with nitrogen fertilizing. Remove excess shoots and weeds. After seven days, top dressing is performed again. The first flowers of Phlox Drummond will appear in July.
Phlox process
Sowing seeds before winter
In the case of a warm winter, phloxes are planted in late December - early January.
In the back room in the fall leave half a bucket of chernozem. After heavy snowfall, the soil is scattered in small containers and sown in three seeds each. They cover it with a 20 cm thick layer of snow from above. Such a cover will protect the peace of flowers. In April, the first sprouts will begin to sprout.
Seedling Care
Phlox drummond seedlings are grown at a temperature of 18-20 ° C. The main condition is good lighting.
Watering is carried out as necessary. The soil must be constantly moistened.
Mineral complexes fertilize seedlings once a month. For young processes, a half dose is used. It is also useful to saturate the soil with organic matter. This is an infusion of ash and liquid organic fertilizers.
When 2-3 leaves form on the stem, phlox dive into separate containers. After that, they are abundantly watered and sheltered from the sun for the first three days. If the seedlings have taken root, they begin to be fed with nitrogen.
Note! After the appearance of five leaves, the top of the phlox drumrum pinch, otherwise it will only stretch up.
A month before planting seedlings in open ground, seedlings begin to harden.
Phlox reproduction methods
Home perennial phlox has the ability to reproduce in many ways. Each of them is simple in its own way. Amateur growers choose the one that suits them according to certain properties.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
Due to the fact that phlox is a perennial plant, from one bush you can get up to 30 delenok. The best time for this is the end of April - the beginning of May.
The bush is completely dug up, the rhizome is shaken off from excess soil and the division of sprouts and rhizomes begins. Ready shoots with a kidney and root system are planted in the ground and watered abundantly.
Important! The sprout is separated from the main stem. Each must have a bud or an embryo, without which the plant will not develop.
Division of the bush with the root system
Cuttings from stems
Propagation by cuttings is carried out both in the soil and in pots and crates. The best time for the procedure is the end of May - the beginning of June. The probability of germination of cuttings is 90%.
A healthy stalk is cut with a knife into two parts. Each piece is a stalk. Both cuttings should have two knots. Moreover, they should be at the end and at the beginning of the cuttings. On the lower part, the leaves are completely cut off, leaving grooves. In the upper part they are removed by half. Prepared cuttings must be planted on a previously prepared bed with loose and moist soil. Shadow is the best place for young cuttings. They quickly take root over several days.
Seedling method of growing phlox
Seedling method is mainly used by experienced gardeners. The best time for her is mid-March. To grow seedlings, it is necessary to sow the seeds of phlox. After seven days, you can watch the first shoots.
Note! Before planting, only large seeds should be selected. Then they are placed in a strong solution of potassium permanganate and salt for 15 minutes. Thus, disinfection is performed. Floated seeds are not suitable. The remaining ones are washed and dried thoroughly.
Seeds are immersed in holes dug at a distance of 15 cm for 3-4 pieces, buried and watered abundantly. If necessary, the beds can be covered with canopies. In a week, a new annual will begin to emerge from the earth.
Propagation by layering
In this way, frequent transplants are not needed. Uterine bushes at the beginning of summer begin to regularly spud and water. As a result, layering and new roots from old shoots are formed. By August, they are cut off and, together with the roots, transplanted to a new place.
Transplant layering
Care Features
The main rule in care is moderate watering. Phloxes do not like sunlight, so you should grow them in a shady place. Watering generally requires 2 watering cans per bush.
Shelter for the winter
Phlox surely shelter for the winter. Before the onset of the first frosts, the bushes are covered with a mulch layer of 10 cm. This material will not only protect from the cold, but will also serve as an excellent fertilizer.
To shelter Drummond's phlox for the winter, the earth is sprinkled with a layer of humus 10 cm thick. You can also use peat or compost. Next, the mulch is covered with large branches of spruce.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to cover phlox with synthetic materials. This will lead to rot of the root system and death of the flower.
Watering and feeding
Watering in the hot season is carried out once a day, in the cool - once every 2-3 days. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil, since increased moisture will kill the plant.
Dressing the flower is applied three times a year. The first is done in spring: nitrogen spreads over the surface of the earth. Meltwater, flowing down along with fertilizers, will nourish the roots. A mixture of phosphorus and potassium is also used for top dressing.
The second is produced in early July according to a similar scheme, only ordinary water is used instead of melt water. The third feeding is carried out in early September. Ash is good for fertilizer.
For your information! Experienced summer residents have long known the secret to prolonging the flowering of phlox for another month. To do this, the seeds of annual plants are added to the flower bed: asters, petunias or salvia. It turns out a kaleidoscope of a mixture of beautiful colors. The result is not long in coming.
Diseases and pests typical for phlox drummond
The most common disease of all phloxes is powdery mildew. She attacks in the middle of summer. It originates on the lower leaves and rises further. By spring, during rains it increases in size and leads to drying out of the leaves, and then the inflorescences. Wood ash is the best way to control powdery mildew. The bush is cleaned of diseased leaves and inflorescences, washed thoroughly, and then dusted with ash.
Drummond's Ill Phlox
There is another way - to use drugs healthy garden, agravertine, phytosporin, etc.
To protect against pests, it is necessary to weed the weed beds more often. Feeding also helps prevent pests.
Thus, Drummond phlox is an excellent specimen for growing on a personal plot. There will be no problems with him if the required conditions are provided. In response, he will thank with his magnificent flowering.
