Panicled phlox rightfully occupies an honorable place in the flower beds and gardens of many gardeners. These perennial shrubs do not require special care and are unpretentious to agricultural technology. The variety of species and varieties allows you to create unusual flowering corners on the flowerbed. But against the background of other flower species, smoky varieties stand out noticeably. One of such representatives is Phlovi Traviata. But in order for the plant to please with its long and lush flowering, it is necessary to study the basic conditions for its cultivation.
Grade description
Phlox paniculata Traviata was bred in 2008 by breeder Reprev Yu. A.
The plant is characterized by strong shoots, the height of which reaches 80 cm. The inflorescences are dense, large panicles. Five-petalled flowers have a wavy characteristic of this species along the edge and are densely arranged to each other. The diameter of Phlox Traviata flowers reaches 4 cm. This variety has a pleasant unobtrusive aroma.
The flowers have a burgundy-raspberry shade with a gray-chestnut haze on top of the petals. Initially, it appears in small strokes, and subsequently spreads throughout the flower. Therefore, the initial shade can then be determined only by the eye in the center.
By flowering period, Phlovi Traviata belongs to medium-flowering species. Therefore, he will delight with the beauty of his unusual colors in July. The duration of flowering is 3-6 weeks, depending on the location of the bush in the garden.
After flowering, seed bolls are formed, in each of which 2-3 seeds are formed. But when propagated by seed method, the species quality of the variety is not preserved.
The plant grows a powerful root system, the length of the roots reaches 15-25 cm. The frost resistance of phlox is up to -30 degrees, so adult bushes do not need additional shelter for the winter.
Features of growing Phlox Traviata
The requirements of the plant are largely similar to other types of phlox. But there are some features that should be considered when growing Phlox Traviata.
The saturation of the shade of flowers, the density of inflorescences, the duration and the period of flowering of the species largely depend on how the place is correctly chosen, the landing is carried out and the conditions of care are met.
Seat selection
For this variety, it is preferable to choose a site with light partial shade, so that in particularly hot midday hours (from 11 to 15 o’clock) the plant hides under the canopy of closely located trees, shrubs, and a fence. This will allow the flowers to maintain their shade brightness throughout the entire flowering period.
This type of panicled phlox is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but feels great in loamy soil with a neutral acidity.
According to the description, Traviata phlox is recommended to be planted on the eastern, western or southwestern side of the site. Placing the bush on the north side will lead to increased growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering.
You can not plant phlox near trees and shrubs with a surface root system: poplar, spruce, lilac, willow, birch.
The landing area must be protected from cold gusts of wind. Despite the fact that panicled phlox loves moisture, it should not stagnate in the soil during prolonged rainfall or during the period of snow melting, as this leads to decay of the root system.
Landing
The plot for planting Phlox Traviata must be prepared in advance, at least 2 weeks in advance. To do this, dig the soil to the depth of the shovel. Dig a landing hole measuring 30 by 40 cm and add the nutrient mixture to it.
It consists of the following components:
- 2 parts of the upper layer of the earth;
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part of deciduous soil;
- 50 g of double phosphate;
- 45 g of potassium sulfide.
Mix the mixture so that the useful components are evenly distributed in it. Fill it with the landing pit to the top. Leave as it is for 2 weeks.
Phlox Traviata can be planted in a permanent place in early spring or autumn. The distance between the seedlings should be 50 cm.
Sequencing.
- Make a recess in the center of the hole.
- Water the soil liberally.
- Spread the roots of the plant and place the seedling in the center so that the root neck is 3 cm above the soil level.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth, periodically shaking the seedling, so that all the voids are filled with earth.
- Seal the topsoil, which will help fix the phlox bush in the ground.
Now you need to familiarize yourself with how to care for phlox after planting, so that the plant fully develops and forms dense inflorescences-panicles.
Watering
When growing panicled phlox of Traviata, it is very important to carry out timely watering so that the root system does not dry out. Otherwise, the plant loses its decorativeness, which is manifested by the yellowness of the lower leaves, sparse flowering and loose panicle inflorescences. The temperature of water for irrigation should be 20-22 degrees, since cold irrigation provokes the development of fungal diseases.
Since the root system of the culture is superficial and equipped with numerous processes, this should be taken into account when watering. Irrigation should be carried out regularly so that the topsoil gets wet to a depth of 10-15 cm. 1-2 buckets of water should be consumed per 1 meter of area.
Watering is recommended in the evening, so that during the night the plant can restore its strength. After each irrigation and rain, the topsoil is recommended to be loosened. This will help improve air access to the roots.
To prevent excessive evaporation of moisture from the soil and reduce watering, you should put mulch at the base of the bush. To do this, it is better to use peat, humus or straw. The thickness of the mulch is 3-5 cm.
After flowering the bush, the plant must continue to be watered, since during this period, young buds are laying at the base of the shoots.
How to feed phlox?
Throughout the entire period of vegetation and flowering, Traviata needs to be fed. The lack of nutrients leads to the fact that the height of the shoots decreases, flowering becomes sparse and short.
Fertilize the plant 3 times throughout the season. Fertilizers should begin to be applied in the second year after planting in a permanent place, if the nutrient mixture was initially introduced into the planting hole.
The main stages of feeding:
- during the period of active growth of shoots and leaves, fermented chicken droppings (1 l per 10 l of water) or urea (30 g per 10 l of water) are introduced;
- during the formation of inflorescences - humus, wood ash (100 g per 10 l), superphosphate (20 g per 10 l);
- during flowering, potassium sulfide (30 g per 10 liters of water) and superphosphate (10 g per 10 liters of water).
Knowing how to feed phloxes of this variety, it will not be difficult to achieve lush and prolonged flowering. But it’s worthwhile to understand that everything is good in moderation. Since the introduction of nitrogenous fertilizers in the second half of summer negatively affects the frost resistance of the crop.
Pruning and preparing for winter
Before the onset of cold weather, the shoots of Phlox Traviata must be cut off at a height of 10 cm above the soil surface, which will allow the renewal to be preserved at the base of the kidney. It is they in the spring that are the landmark where the bush is located.
This procedure should not be carried out too early, as nutrients from the aboveground part will not be able to be deposited in the roots. The optimal pruning period for this variety is the end of September.
Panicled phlox are frost-resistant plants, and this variety is not considered an exception. But with a snowy winter, the plant may suffer, and in the first place young buds, necessary for the formation of new shoots, die. To prevent this, you should mulch the bush immediately after pruning. As mulch, you can use peat, pine conifer or humus. The thickness of the protective layer should be 5-7 cm.
It is forbidden to use a film or roofing material as a shelter, since they contribute to the bush's aging.
Bush division
Phlox Traviata can grow in one place for 4-5 years. Subsequently, the central part of the bush begins to lose its decorative effect. And the peripheral parts of the bush grow, grow a strong root and form new young shoots. Thus, the natural division of culture occurs.
Therefore, in the spring or early autumn, you should carefully dig out the bush, slightly brushing off the ground from it. Then split the plexus of the root necks at the base of the shoots with your hands. After that, disassemble the root processes going to them. The knife can only be used to cut the area of fusion of the root necks together.
Each received part should have a root neck, the rudiments of shoots for the next year and a sufficient number of roots. Subsequently, dividers should be planted at a distance of 50 cm from each other. A new site should be chosen for planting, since the necessary nutrients for young plants in the used soil are no longer there.
Propagation by stem cuttings
This method of propagating Phlox Traviata can be used from late May to mid July. For cuttings, it is necessary to select strong shoots that are cut into pieces. Each of them should have 2 well-developed nodes, while the lower section must be made directly below the lower node, and the upper one is 5-7 cm above the upper one.
The apical leaves should be left on the cuttings, and the lower ones should be removed without damaging the axillary buds. After that, drop the delenki into the ground, deepening to the upper node and make a mini-greenhouse above them so that the cuttings do not dry out. Over the next 1-2 weeks, soil moisture should be checked and periodically irrigated with warm water. To accelerate rooting, you can pour the cuttings with Kornevin’s solution at the rate of 4 g per 4 l of water.
Reproduction by root processes
This method is used in early spring, when an adult bush is divided into several parts. For propagation, it is necessary to cut off healthy non-lignified roots at the base of the bush and divide them into parts 3-5 cm long.
After that, drop them into prepared containers filled with nutrient soil. The first 10 days to keep them at a temperature of 10-15 degrees, and then increase the temperature of the content to 18-25 degrees.
After germination, phlox can be planted in open ground. But root cuttings will germinate unevenly, and therefore the transplant should be carried out gradually. This method is mainly used to preserve the variety if an adult bush is affected by a nematode.
Common diseases
The appearance of powdery mildew on phlox is not uncommon, and this variety is not an exception. Initially, this disease manifests itself in a white-gray coating on the leaves, and subsequently they dry out. The lower part of the bush is exposed, the inflorescences are deformed, and the general appearance of the plant becomes depressing.
If there are signs of powdery mildew on phloxes, it is urgent to conduct treatment, as the disease will progress. And this will weaken the immune system and negatively affect the frost resistance of the bush. It is recommended to spray the aerial parts with "Topaz" and a 0.1% solution of colloidal sulfur, alternating treatments with a frequency of 5-7 days.
Knowing how to care for Traviate phlox correctly, to grow a beautiful flowering bush will not be particularly difficult. And then every year in the middle of summer, bright panicle inflorescences will delight with their unusual shade of flowers with a light gray-brown haze.