Phlox is one of the best crops for growing in flower beds. The popularity of these flowers is most often associated with unpretentiousness, frost resistance, bewitching aroma and lush, bright flowering.
Phloxes are attractive for their long flowering period. If you choose the right species and varieties, this period can continue uninterrupted from spring to autumn.
History
It was in Greece that the flower got its name. He was associated with flame, because the progenitors of modern phlox were flowers of a bright red hue.
Over time, breeders and in the process of hybridization have developed new varieties of unexpected shapes and colors. Today, only yellow phlox does not exist.
Variety "Natasha"
Panicled phlox "Natasha" - a perennial herbaceous flower with a powerful root system. It is she who is the basis of the life of the plant.
Compared with lush inflorescences, the leaves of the flower are small in size. They have a lanceolate-elongated or oval shape.
Inflorescences consist of many small white flowers with lilac-raspberry strokes in the center of the petals. They are columnar, dense. The height of the bush reaches 80 cm.
Phlox "Natasha" is a very popular variety. It attracts many gardeners with its unusual coloring.
Features of the choice of planting material
Want phloxes to bloom in your garden? Then the main task is the selection of high-quality planting material. Experienced gardeners recommend giving preference to domestic varieties. They tolerate climate change well and are resistant to many pests and diseases.
Choosing varieties of phlox, one should take into account the landscape of the territory. Combine plants should be according to their color, height of the bushes and flowering time. Immediately considering the location of all plants in the flowerbed, you will protect yourself from plant transplants in the future.
Remember that planting material should be planted in a sufficient amount. On 10 m 2 you need to plant 90 tall seedlings or 110 undersized.
All seedlings must be carefully inspected before planting. They must be healthy, without any damage by pests or diseases.
The perfect place to land
Phlox "Natasha" is an unpretentious plant, but to obtain a good result, certain planting rules must be observed. First of all, choose the right place.
Lighting
Phlox variety "Natasha" prefers darkened places. Overheating negatively affects the state of the root system. In addition, in sunny areas, flowers quickly fade and lose their attractiveness.
Choosing these plants, you should pay attention to the color of the inflorescence. The brighter it is, the less sunlight it needs.
The soil
Gardeners recommend planting Natasha phlox on well-drained soils with a high humus content. If in your area soils with a high acidity content, they must be "extinguished" with lime. After all, phlox does not take root on such soil.
The optimal soil type for the plant is sandy soil. Proper care, regular watering and shade will provide a chic flowerbed on a personal plot.
Landing
Spotted phlox "Natasha" should be planted in autumn or spring. The soil must be pre-prepared. Dig a shallow hole, on the bottom of which biohumus or compost is laid out. If the soil is acidic, lime should be added; if it is loamy, organic fertilizers and sand.
The seedling is placed in a pit and the roots are spread out neatly in a horizontal direction.
It is advisable to plant bushes at a distance of 50 cm from each other. This contributes to the proper development and functioning of the root system.
Watering
The quality of irrigation directly affects the development of the bush and the abundance of inflorescences. On dry days, the plant should be watered under the root once a day in the evening or in the morning. On 1 m 2 you should make 1.5-2 buckets of water. On average, one bush consumes about 2 liters. Water must be well-maintained, ambient temperature. Watering flowers with cold water in hot weather, you can harm their livelihoods. Fragile stems often crack due to temperature differences.
Soil care
The key to a good development of phlox is periodic loosening of the soil. The site should always be kept in order. Weeds must not be allowed to spread, which often harm the root color system. In addition, they can become a hotbed of various diseases and illnesses.
Fertilizer application
Many gardeners recommend regularly feeding the plant. After all, this contributes to the rapid and proper formation of the bush. Mineral and organic additives are used for top dressing.
The best option is a mixture of phosphorus or potassium salt with liquid manure. During the year, it is recommended to fertilize phlox five times. Starting in May, the first four top dressings are carried out monthly. Fertilizers are last applied already at the stage of seed formation.
Pruning and transplanting
The dried stalks and faded buds of Natasha phlox should be trimmed regularly. The height of the plant will not change next year. Remember, in autumn it is necessary to cover the rhizome with wooden bran, soil or peat. So prepare the bush for winter, and protect the root from frost.
Florists also recommend replanting phloxes every five years to preserve varieties. This procedure can be performed both in spring and summer.
Wintering
In the description of phlox "Natasha" it is indicated that the plant is frost-resistant. But many gardeners recommend being safe. Indeed, in our climatic conditions, snowy winters are not uncommon. In this case, frost can harm the plants. The bush is additionally wrapped with branches of needles, leaves or straw. Winters with a lot of snow have a beneficial effect on the plant.
Seed propagation
After flowering, seeds are tied in a separate box. In this case, only insects with a valley proboscis can pollinate inflorescences.
In one box, on average, there are three seeds. If they are not collected on time, then they fall into the ground. Thus self-seeding occurs.
Seeds are planted in special pots in early spring. Over the entire period, seedlings must be dived several times due to active growth up.
After the seedlings are transplanted into the greenhouse. Here the plants get stronger, gain strength. And in March they can be planted in open ground.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
This method of plant propagation is the simplest and requires a minimum of effort.
Almost immediately after the snow melts, one should dig up healthy phlox bushes. Rhizomes are well cleared of soil. The root necks are determined, the plexuses of the root system are separated, the old woody parts are removed.
As a result, from one bush you can get several separate parts. On each of them must be present thick stems and several growth buds. Separated elements can be planted separately from each other in previously prepared soil.
Cuttings
This is one way of multiplying phlox. Spend it until the flowering period of the plant, preferably in June. From healthy bushes, several cuttings are cut. The lower incision should be immediately below the first kidney. All leaflets of the cuttings are shortened or trimmed completely.
Cuttings should preferably be placed in the ground under a jar. They are watered five times a day with warm water daily. After a month, the cuttings take root and give the first shoots.
Diseases and pests: prevention and treatment
Phlox refers to plants that are resistant to diseases and pests. Most of the problems with this plant are due to improper care. The main mistake is the wrong place to land. Poor soil quality and lack of nutrients also negatively affect the condition of the flower.
The most common pests and diseases include:
- Nematode.
- Spotted leaves.
- Powdery Mildew
- Alternariosis.
It is necessary to correctly diagnose the disease and take the necessary measures in time.