Phlox (Phlox) are flowering herbaceous plants that are related to the family of Sinyukhov. These include more than 80 species. The phlox subulata plant got its name due to the unique shape of the leaf blades. In some regions, the grass is called creeping or carpet phlox. Residents of North America use another consonant definition - moss carnation. Wild plantings of subulate phlox cover the territory of Canada and North Carolina, and are also found in the western United States. The growing area of the flower focuses on stony sandstones or in shady corners next to shrubs.
Phlox subulate description
The height of the subulate phlox is from 10 to 20 cm. The creeping stems are woven into a thick evergreen carpet. The internodes of the stems are covered with hard leaves with pointed ends, the length of which does not exceed a few centimeters. Peduncles are formed from internodes, containing 1-2 inflorescences. As for the inflorescences, they are formed from small flowers, shaped like a funnel. Subulate phloxes have various colors of inflorescences.
The bud opening period occurs in mid-May and lasts about one month. At the end of summer, some varieties of subulate phlox are capable of re-flowering. At the peak of flowering, foliage becomes almost invisible against the background of bright buds. When the budding processes are completed, the bushes still retain their attractive appearance and green sods under a layer of snow.
Growing phlox subulate from seeds
The subulate phlox lacks the ability to seed. To start breeding seedlings, you will have to purchase seeds from gardening shops or at agricultural fairs. For sowing, prepare wide wooden boxes. The best time for such events is the beginning of March. The soil is disinfected in advance with a potassium permanganate solution with a low concentration. Seeds are evenly distributed over the substrate and lightly covered with earth.
The boxes are placed on the windowsills, which are located on the side of the building where the least amount of sunlight enters the windows. In order for the first shoots to emerge faster, it is necessary to maintain soil moisture, and use a sprayer for irrigation. When 3-4 healthy leaves appear, the seedlings can be transplanted to the backyard. Many gardeners are skeptical about the seed method of growing subulate phlox, since it is quite difficult to achieve a good result and get beautiful plants from seeds. Better to save time and buy ready-made seedlings.
Planting phlox subulate in the open field
Even a beginner in horticulture can take care of and care for a moss carnation. After planting the styloid phlox, the plant requires as much attention as other flowering perennials.Flower beds are organized in open areas where there is access to sunlight. It is important to pre-prepare the planting site, dig up the soil and remove the roots of weeds, especially field bindweed, which poses a serious threat to crop growth. Light partial shade will also be a good site for planting subulate phlox, but unlike sunny corners, it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve abundant flowering of the bushes.
Sandy and loamy soil types with a slightly moistened structure are the optimal environment for growing subulate phlox. Other types of substrates are also suitable for the plant. The only requirements that the soil must meet is the presence of good aeration properties and a neutral environment.
Dilute heavy substrates with sand. As for acidic soils, they are enriched with dolomite flour or other deoxidizing agent. Subulate phlox will develop steadily in areas where calendula or lawn grass previously grew. The risk of nematode infection in such areas is significantly reduced. The growth of the Sinyukhovs is inhibited in flower beds after strawberry bushes.
Fertilizers are applied simultaneously with the digging. It is not recommended to add fresh, not rotted manure. Any organic and mineral dressing is used in small quantities, otherwise, instead of a beautiful flowering, greenery will build up.
Planting phlox subulate in the open field is carried out at the end of May. Pits are dug at intervals of 25 to 35 cm. The roots of the bushes are carefully straightened in the hole, covered with soil and compacted. They complete the planting of the subulate phlox with watering and mulching. The next year, the plant will cover the area with a beautiful flowering carpet. During the season, the height of the shoots can reach 25 cm. The subulate phlox, planted in open ground, blooms only in the second year.
Care for phlox styloid
Regular weeding is considered an important condition for caring for the styloid phlox. Weeds growing in the turf have a negative effect on ornamental plants. Loosening the wet substrate is carried out very carefully. In order for the bushes to develop well, they observe a moderate watering regime. Excess moisture causes diseases and suppression of the root system. Temporary drought does not affect the attractiveness of the bushes. Watering is best done in the morning or when the sun goes down. A watering can with water is directed exclusively at the root, then the drops will not spill onto the leaves and will not burn them. If there is a sweltering heat for a long time, the area is watered with warm, settled water.
Top dressing deserves no less attention. To activate the growth of subulate phlox and restore strength, in the spring fertilizers are applied to the flower beds in the form of a humate solution. When the budding process begins, the soil is enriched with mineral compositions of potassium and phosphorus. It is possible to stimulate the growth of plantings with the help of an ash solution that does not contain nitrogen, which negatively affects the formation of flowers. To prepare a solution, 300 g of ash is poured with two liters of water. The resulting mixture is boiled for 10 minutes and filtered. The concentrate is diluted with 10 liters of water. The ash solution is an excellent feeding and pest control agent.
Phlox subulate after flowering
After the buds wither, they are cut off along with the damaged branches. In the first year of life, the faded shoots are completely cut off, which triggers the stimulation of the buds. Bushes cut in the fall will not be able to bloom with the arrival of spring.
The subulate phlox is characterized by cold resistance. Mulching the root trunk with peat provides a reliable wintering for planting, and the nutrients coming from the mulch will be an excellent fertilizing for the bushes. Snowless winters require covering the flower bed with spruce paws.
Diseases and pests
If you follow all agrotechnical rules of cultivation, there will be practically no problems with the cultivation of subulate phlox.Careless care of phlox is the cause of infectious diseases and insect attacks.
Traces of white powdery plaque on the leaf blades are the result of powdery mildew infection. To combat the disease, perennials are sprayed with copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture.
The appearance of rust is expressed in the form of dark brown spots. Treatment with Topaz helps to stop the spread of the pathogen.
Due to the effect of phomosis, the plant dries out, the shoots break. The disease is defeated by colloidal sulfur. Cinnamon dots are considered the first signs of the development of septoria, which leads to the death of the plant.
Most of the infectious fungal diseases are cured with drugs based on copper. For the purpose of prevention, in the spring, a flower bed with flowers is sprayed with fungicidal solutions.
Signs of the development of the variegated virus are the formation of stripes and streaks on the corollas. Such specimens are cut and burned away from healthy plantings.
The most dangerous insect pests are caterpillars and nematodes. Nematodes change the color, shape of leaf blades, slow down the growth of stems. To destroy caterpillars and other gnawing pests, insecticidal preparations are used.
Reproduction of phlox subulate
Phlox subulate reproduce by cuttings and division of the rhizome.
Propagation by cuttings
Cutting is carried out at the beginning of the buds. For these purposes, choose green leafy shoots with the remaining skin at the ends and place them in a moist substrate mixed with peat and sand. To create a greenhouse effect, cuttings are covered with jars or bottles. After a week, the formation of roots occurs. Cuttings need watering. During germination, containers must be darkened with any non-woven material.
Reproduction by dividing the rhizome
The division helps to restore the decorative properties of perennial shrubs. Plots containing healthy roots and ground parts are planted in dug holes, keeping a distance of at least 35 cm. A handful of compost or humus is poured onto the bottom. It is more expedient to postpone the division of the bushes until the end of summer, when the vegetative processes will not be so active.
Varieties of phlox subulate with a photo
The flower first appeared in England. Today, in the gardens you can find a huge variety of hybrid varieties of styloid phlox, which have been bred for a long time by German, French, Japanese and American breeders.
Let's get acquainted with the most popular plant varieties: white-pink Aurora; Emeisin Grace with rich carmine eyes; undersized Thumbelina with pink buds; Candy Stripes with striped petals; star-shaped Coral Ai and subulate phlox Bavaria, strewn with many white flowers with purple eyes.
The bushes of Themiscamin are prone to profuse branching and are covered with dense sod with dark raspberry inflorescences.
Phlox subulate Scarlet Flame has a bright orange color, and Tellaria has lilac star-shaped buds with a carmine eye.
In addition to the above flower forms, names such as Applebloss, Daisy Hill, White Delight, Samson, Vivid, Thomasini and Ronsdorfer Schöne are known.
