Phloxes are familiar to us since childhood. These perennial flowers can be found in many suburban areas. But today I want to talk not about them, but about an annual species. I'll tell you how to grow Drummond's phlox yourself.
Brief information about the species
In the second half of the 18th century, the traveler Henry Drummond discovered an unusual flower in Texas and decided to send its seeds to his relatives in Europe. In the course of many years of experiments, it was possible to cultivate the plant. Currently, breeders have bred more than 20 excellent varieties of annual Drummond phlox.
Varieties
In my garden, I have been planting the following varieties for several years:
- Caramel has golden caramel petals with a bright raspberry center.
- Chanel is distinguished by lush double flowers, painted in pink shades.
- Twinkling star - tricolor petals have an unusual shape and look like a shining star from the side.
How to grow annual phlox
Since the plant is an annual, in order to decorate your garden with it, you will have to plant it every year. I have tried several ways to grow Drummond Phlox. From my own experience, I’ll say that if you don’t want to bother much with seedlings, you can sow seeds immediately in open ground. But, if there is a desire to see the flowering of annual phloxes in the flower garden as soon as possible, you will have to prepare the seedlings in advance.
seedling preparation
I usually sow the seeds in April. During this time, the plants have time to get stronger and form a good root system.
- They process the container for planting and fill it with soil mixture for flowers, leaving about 2 cm to the edge.
- I slightly moisten the soil with water with the addition of a growth stimulator.
- Spread the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil. Special precision is not needed here.
- On top of the seeds I fall asleep another 1-1.5 cm of earth.
- I carefully water from a watering can with small holes so that a strong stream of water does not move the seeds and knock them into a heap.
- For a few days I close the container with dark plastic wrap.
- I regularly ventilate, removing the film for a few minutes.
- I monitor the soil moisture and spray it with a spray bottle.
- After the appearance of the first leaves, I remove the film and move the plants closer to the light.
- When 2-3 true leaves appear, I carry out a pick in separate cups.
- A few days later I spend top dressing with nitrogen fertilizers.
- Subsequent care is the same as for any other seedlings.
- After growing 5-6 sheets, I pinch the top.
- About a month before planting, I begin to harden.
- When warm weather sets in, I plant phloxes in open ground.
Sowing in open ground
According to my observations, flowers that were grown from seeds in the open field bloom about a month later than those that were grown from seedlings. I want to give some recommendations for growing Drummond phlox from seeds:
- Scatter the seeds evenly on the prepared soil, and after germination, thin out, removing weak specimens.
- If you plan to grow tall and dwarf annual phloxes in the same planting, sow so that subsequently tall plants do not obscure low ones.
- In order for the tall ones to bloom at the same time as the dwarf ones, I advise you to sow them 3-4 weeks earlier.
- For the last couple of years, I have been actively practicing planting phlox before winter. They winter well and give friendly strong shoots.
There are no difficulties in growing annual Drummond phloxes. Even beginner gardeners can do this, the main thing is to choose a convenient way for yourself. Share in the comments which option is closer to you.
#phlox drummond#seedling cultivation#helpful tips