Growing phloxes from seeds is a process accessible even to a novice gardener. If all the recommendations are followed, these plants will surely delight the owners with lush flowering, which lasts long enough.
General information
Phloxes are beautifully flowering perennial or annual herbaceous plants that form the genus of the same name of the Blue family. It includes only about 85 species. Of these, about 40 species are grown in gardens and household plots, and some of them have been for more than two hundred years.
The beautiful sonorous name of the genus (Greek phlox - flame) was given by none other than Carl Linnaeus. Even the exact date of the name of this taxon is known - 1737. The botanist is supposed to have been inspired by the bright colors of these truly wonderful flowers.
On the territory of our country, only one wild-growing species is known - Phlox sibirica (Siberian phlox), which is common in the mountainous areas of Western and Eastern Siberia, in the Far East. In the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Chelyabinsk region, it is listed in the Red Book. This is a perennial, beautifully flowering creepinga plant that produces straight shoots on which flowers open. It is traditionally used in folk medicine to treat diseases of the skin, nervous and respiratory systems. Most species of phlox originate from North America.
Description
Different types of cultivated phlox can have erect, creeping or ascending stems, reaching a height, depending on the shape of the plant, from 10-20 cm to half a meter. Narrow lanceolate, ovate-elongated or oval-lanceolate phlox leaves are opposite.
Bright fragrant flowers are the main advantage of these plants, because of which flower growers grow them. They are medium-sized, tubular-funnel-shaped, up to 3-4 centimeters in diameter, but form lush inflorescences (up to 90 pieces) and in general look very picturesque. Five-petalled flowers can range in color from white, white with spots, streaks, shadows, etc. to deep purple and raspberry-purple. Phloxes have a rather gentle, unobtrusive aroma. Because of their decorative properties, they are readily cultivated by flower growers, especially since the process of growing perennial and annual phloxes from seeds at home is not particularly difficult.
External differences between annual phloxes and perennials
Annual species of phloxes differ from perennial varieties of colors. They are also peach, beige, chocolate, while perennials do not have such color options - they most often have various shades of pink, raspberry, purple. Another difference is the star-shaped flower shape, similar to a snowflake, whichno perennial phlox.
Fruits and seeds
After flowering ends, instead of flowers, fruits are formed in the form of dry boxes with seeds. Photos of phlox seeds can be seen below. Seeds of annual species are quite small. So, in one gram they can contain more than 500 pieces. Perennials – much less, around 70.
Like annuals, perennial phloxes can be grown from seeds if you follow all the recommendations of experienced flower growers.
Choosing a plant propagation method
Annual phloxes are usually grown from seed. Perennial phloxes reproduce perfectly by roots and cuttings. When is the choice made in favor of their propagation by seeds? Most often this happens in cases where it is necessary to get a lot of plants at once - for example, to create a dividing strip or border on a site, to decorate a large area at once. Then it makes sense to mess with the seeds.
This method is also used by breeders or just amateur gardeners to obtain plants with new properties - for example, when two varieties were planted side by side and could pollinate. For reproduction, for example, of a rare variety, its improvement, obtaining planting material in large quantities, preparing for future participation in plant exhibitions, the method of dividing plants or cuttings will be preferable.
Seed harvesting by yourself
Seeds should be collected from the bushes after the leaves have becomedry up, and the boxes turned brown, but not yet dry. The stems are cut together with the boxes, they are made into bunches and hung in a cool, dry room (on a glazed balcony, veranda, in a closet, in the attic) for further ripening. So that the seeds, after cracking the boxes, which usually "shoot", do not scatter and are not lost, the bundles are placed in fabric (gauze) bags. The boxes need to be monitored, and as they dry, collect them and bring them into a warm room. However, this advice is only valid if you are going to plant them right away, since the seeds of the styloid phlox and other popular varieties cannot boast of long-term germination. In a warm room, they very quickly lose their properties. To prevent this from happening, you should keep them cool until landing, you can mix them with sand.
Growing from seeds for seedlings
Annual and perennial phloxes, planting with seeds of which is quite common, germinate well if they are not deeply buried in the soil. This must be kept in mind, because otherwise the seeds may not sprout, or the seedlings will have to wait long enough, two to three weeks, and they will be unfriendly (with surface sowing, the seeds usually germinate after 7 days). The easiest way is this: the seeds are scattered on the surface of the soil in plastic containers, watered from a sprayer and covered with a transparent film on top. This is usually done in March. Holes must be made at the bottom of the containers to prevent stagnation of water, which is detrimental to seeds. It is better to use specialseedling land. Its layer should not be too deep. It is advisable to shed it five days in advance with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and the day before planting, pre-pour it with a solution of phytosporin. Seeds should be aired daily by opening them and shaking off condensation from the film.
Sprouts dive after the appearance of two leaves. Seedlings, as a rule, tolerate picking normally. It is only recommended to protect them from direct sunlight in the first two or three days to avoid burns of delicate leaves. Flower growers recommend covering seedlings from above with newspapers or an opaque film. Phloxes grown by seeds for seedlings are planted in the ground at the end of May, best of all - at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. It will be useful to mulch the soil between young plants to better retain moisture. Periodically, once a month, they should be fed with a complex mineral fertilizer. In addition, further care, as in the case of other garden flowers, involves loosening, weeding and regular watering.
Annual phloxes can be sown with seeds in spring and directly into the ground, but with this method their germination will be low. In addition, it should be borne in mind that they bloom only two months after planting. Therefore, growing from seeds for seedlings is preferable in this case.
Sowing phloxes in the ground
When sowing seeds of perennial phloxes directly into the ground, there are two more options: sow them before winter, at the end of November, or at the height of winter (January - February). From annuals like thisIn this way, only Drummond's phlox can be planted - it is more resistant to cold. In which case is it easier to grow phlox from seeds? When is the best time to plant? The first method is preferable because in this case the seeds show the highest germination (80-90%), and in a few months it can be seriously affected. It should only be borne in mind that they need to be planted when frosts have already begun, because otherwise the seeds may germinate, and weak sprouts will not survive the winter.
The soil in the selected place must be well leveled, put marks. Experienced flower growers recommend using self-made limiters, for example, cutting plastic cans or cans lengthwise into circles. Inside this circle, seeds are sown. This is a guarantee that they will not be washed away by melt water and crops after the snow melts can be easily detected. Seeds are sown before winter on frozen soil and lightly sprinkled with dry earth. You don't need to water them! If the seeds are fresh, usually shoots are friendly in the spring.
When sowing in winter, you can use the same disposable plastic containers as when germinating seeds in an apartment. It is only necessary to close them from above not with a film, but with a lid or spunbond, and do not water them. Experienced flower growers recommend taking containers with planted seeds into the garden and placing them on a flat surface, so that a thick layer of snow (at least 30 centimeters) covers them from above. So it will be possible to create acceptable conditions for their germination in the spring, and the seeds will undergo natural stratification. After the spring arrival in the garden, you need to remove the lid from the container,so that the melting snow gets on the seeds and soaks the soil.
Perennial phloxes grown from seeds, with proper care, usually bloom in the second year. Young plants in the first winter must be insulated using fallen leaves or needles. This will not be necessary in subsequent years. As a rule, phloxes planted with seeds before winter prove to be more resistant to winter frosts than expensive planting material brought from European countries, where winters are usually milder.
Details on planting phlox seeds (perennial) before winter are described in the video below.
When sowing in winter, in January-February, the actions are the same: a flat place is chosen and the seeds are sprinkled with frozen ground, and on top with a thick layer of snow.
The method of accelerated germination of seeds
Flower growers who have extensive experience in growing different varieties, including styloid phlox, from seeds, recommend keeping in mind that phloxes, especially annuals, like to germinate in the light. Therefore, when germinating at home, some of them advise placing seeds on toilet paper or paper towel moistened with water with the addition of a growth stimulator, under which plastic wrap is placed. Paper strips together with the film are folded into rolls and placed in a well-lit place (you can put the rolls in a regular plastic cup). After the appearance of sprouts (it usually takes 2-3 days to spit the seeds!) The tapes are unfolded, sprinkled with earth on top and placed again ina bright place until sprouts suitable for planting are obtained.
Requirements for soil, watering
Phloxes prefer light, medium loamy soils rich in humus, loose and moist. The reaction is neutral. They love water, and with its lack, when the soil dries up, they may not even bloom, dropping the buds that are ready to bloom. But excess moisture for these plants is also harmful. The optimal amount is 1.5-2 buckets of water per square meter.
Choosing a seat
Plants love bright, but diffused light, partial shade. It would be ideal if during the hottest hours (11-14) the plants will be shaded by trees or shrubs. It is desirable that the site has a slight slope. It must also be protected from the winds. This will help to keep the snow cover that protects plants in winter, and will protect the soil from drying out in summer.
According to flower growers, the most whimsical varieties often have to be transplanted from place to place, sometimes even up to five times, so that they play with all the colors. But this is not the case with all of them.
A few tips
The colors of phloxes planted in a sunny place will be brighter, in the shade - more calm
Phloxes are plants that are very responsive to organic fertilizers. Experienced flower growers recommend using horse manure for this purpose, but always rotted. Fresh manure will kill plants instantly. Vegetable compost is also good, but care must be taken tophloxes themselves were not used in cooking. This is due to the fact that pathogens and pests of phloxes can remain in the compost if the conditions for its preparation are not followed and infect plants as a result of feeding. During autumn harvesting, phloxes should be removed from the site, or better, burned
If phlox seeds are not sown outdoors, but indoors, they must be stratified - kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks
To make them bloom thicker, wilted flowers should be removed. For better tillering, it is advisable to pinch perennial plants over the fourth or fifth pair of leaves in summer
In conclusion
The article briefly described the existing methods of planting phloxes with seeds, gave brief recommendations for their cultivation. Phloxes are not particularly demanding plants, and with careful selection of varieties and proper care, they can ensure their continuous flowering from May to October.
