Phloxes are perennials that delight the eye for a fairly long time. They can have different colors and are not very whimsical. Of course, they have their own characteristics. The article will talk about transplanting these wonderful plants. The focus will be on the issue of when to transplant phlox is best.
Transplant goals
Phlox transplantation is a mandatory procedure for their best flowering. Garden plants cannot grow in the same place for several years. Flowers become smaller and paler every year, and the soil on which they grow is depleted, and even fertilizers can not always help. Also, long-term growth of flowers in the same place leads to the appearance of harmful insects there.
Phlox
Another reason is the prevention of various dangerous infections, which become infected, the flowers will die. Plants lack useful elements, so once every several years it is necessary to divide large bushes into several small ones and transplant them to new places. Considering that these plants are easy to transplant, there are no problems even for budding flower lovers.
When is it better to plant phlox - in spring or autumn
Many gardeners are interested in the survey: when can I transplant phlox and how to do it? There is no single answer to this question. Phlox transplantation is carried out when the plant can better take root in the new earth.
When exactly can phlox be divided and planted? Is it possible to transplant phlox in June or is it better to do this in September? Phlox can be planted in spring, autumn and even summer. Summer transplants can be done in June, July or August, as the summer months are all equally hot.
Important! With a summer transplant, you can not divide phloxes, since it is difficult for plants during flowering.
A transplant in the fall is acceptable for phloxes, but in this case it would be better if it takes place in the first month. September is a warm enough month for the roots to take root. However, in central Russia, it is spring that is considered the best time for phlox planting, since at this time the most favorable climatic conditions.
In spring, you need to transplant in the warmest time - the end of April or May. The root system of phlox is quite frost-resistant, but still it is better not to risk it.
Selection and calculation of phlox planting material
The choice of plant variety depends on the desired color of the flowers, the height of the bush and the duration of flowering. The number of seedlings purchased depends on the area of soil on which they will grow. So, about 90 seedlings per 10 square meters.
You should also determine the density of planting. To understand how to plant phlox, you need to determine the height of the plants and the duration of flowering. For small bushes, the distance between plants should be 30-40 cm, and between rows about 35-45 cm. For large plants, this is, respectively, 50-60 and 40-50 cm.
The distance between the beds
Preparing and conducting a transplant
The more successful the place, the better the result. Phlox loves moisture, so the soil should be loose, rich in organic elements and sufficiently moist. You should not be afraid of moisture, because it will not be much in any case.
Important! Finding nearby groundwater will be a definite plus.
For this reason, it is necessary to avoid places where trees or shrubs grow, especially with a superficial root system, because they consume a large amount of moisture. Phlox loves shade, and the sun's rays are dangerous for them. You may notice that in the shaded areas in winter there is a lot of snow, and snow covers the plants and protects them from freezing.
The best time for a transplant is evening, because at this time there is no scorching sun. Cloudy weather during the day is also great. The soil must first be freed from debris and plant roots, if they are present there, well watered. It is advisable to soak it with water to a depth of at least 20 cm so that the phlox has enough moisture.
Then you need to feed the soil with various minerals so that it is suitable for the growth of flowers, because it depends on how the plant will look and how healthy it will be.
Recipe for feeding per 1 square meter:
- Take a bucket of manure or compost and mix with 200 g of chopped wood ash.
- Add 30 g of ammonium nitrate and potassium salts, as well as 50 g of superphosphate.
- Mix all this with excavated soil so that it is mixed with top dressing to a depth of at least 15 cm.
Planting plants is at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. You need to extract phlox from the old soil. It is better to dig with a pitchfork, as in this case the roots are less susceptible to damage.
Transplantation of roots
If there is no pitchfork, then a shovel will do, but in this case you need to act carefully so as not to damage anything. The roots should be about 10 cm long. If they are too big, you can shorten it. Also, in adult plants, stems are pruned. Rhizome is divided into several small parts, removing land from it.
Next, it is worth digging out the bed depending on the size of the plant and immerse the root in it, covering it with soil 5 cm deep. The pit must be deep so that the root enters it completely, the roots should be below the soil level. Then the land will need to be carefully watered.
Note! When transplanting, it is desirable to break off all the tops, since otherwise the plant will spend a lot of energy on ripening the seeds, but it is necessary that it spends them on strengthening the roots in the ground.
Top trimming
Aftercare after transplantation
It is necessary to ensure that there are no weeds on the soil, and the earth is always loose. Constantly need to water the plants. This is especially important on hot days.
The soil also needs mulching. This can be done using a mixture of humus, peat and manure. It is useful to periodically feed the earth with liquid fertilizers.
If suddenly some shoots wilted, they must be removed immediately so that the plant does not waste resources on their conservation. If necessary, pinch the shoots.
We should also talk about the winter period. Cold plants are not much afraid, but still they can not survive the winter. Therefore, you need to make sure that during the winter they are in the most comfortable conditions for them.
Shelter for the winter
The first step is to trim the shoots to 10-15 cm. This is done so that no harmful insects can overwinter on the shoots.
Next, the soil is processed around the phlox. Processing is done so that the plant does not become infected with various infections.
After 10-14 days, the earth is mulched and only then is a shelter made. They make it from peat, spruce spruce branches, foliage, etc. The film is stretched from above and pressed along the edges with stones or something heavy.
The film helps plants stay warm and dry throughout the winter. Upon the onset of warm days, the plants must be immediately released, otherwise they will be locked up under cover and perished.
The main mistakes when transplanting phlox
There are a number of mistakes that make plants poorly take root.
Plant with withered shoots
- This may be the late removal of the shelter during the spring transplant, which leads to the fact that the plant does not withstand the warm and humid climate formed under the shelter. People are afraid that the plant will freeze, but in fact it is not afraid of small frosts.
- If phlox is planted too late, this may lead to the fact that they simply do not have enough time to adapt and bloom this year - this is the second mistake.
- The third problem is a too tight fit. When the plants are too close, they become cramped, they lack moisture and nutrients, which affects their flowering.
Additional Information! If fallen or trimmed withered shoots lie near the plants, then you need to immediately remove them. After all, they can cause dangerous infections.
Also, the plant can get sick if you do not fertilize the earth and do not treat phlox with chemicals for preventive purposes. A good option is liquid fecal dressing, but it can not be used for plants transplanted this year.
If the gardener does everything right, then his flowers will be able to grow in one place for up to 6 years. You can not be lazy when it comes to landscaping a house or garden, because this is a temple for every person, and he should look decent.
