What are the propagation methods for Phlox? Learn it all in one article

Phlox is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant. It is not difficult to cultivate artificially, and it tolerates low temperatures. In the northeastern region of our country, it can overwinter in the open field, making it very suitable for planting in loose sandy soil. Because there are many horticultural varieties of Phlox and its flowering period is very long, it is deeply loved by people. The editor will briefly introduce the propagation methods of Phlox for you.

Phlox

The commonly used propagation methods for Phlox include division propagation, cutting propagation, and seed propagation. Division propagation is simple to perform and results in rapid survival. It is carried out in early spring or autumn. Dig out the tiller shoots growing around the mother plant and plant them, keeping the root system as intact as possible to increase the survival rate. Cutting propagation is carried out after flowering and is suitable for large-scale production. Take fully grown, sturdy branches and cut them into 3-5 cm long cuttings. Each cutting can retain 2-3 leaves. Soak the base of the cuttings in a 200 mg/L solution of ABT No. 1 rooting powder for 30 minutes, then insert the cuttings into clean, sterile soil (the seedbed soil can be watered with potassium permanganate solution for disinfection and sterilization). Insert to a depth of 1-2 cm with a spacing of 2-3 cm, and simply keep the soil moist. Roots can form in about 20 days. If the weather is hot, spray 1-2 times with an 800-1000 times dilution of 50% carbendazim solution to prevent the cuttings from rotting. Seed propagation is mainly done by autumn sowing. Sow in an open-field seedbed in early September. The suitable germination temperature is 15-20°C, and seedlings emerge in about 7 days. Transplant when there are 2-3 true leaves, and move them into a cold frame in early October to overwinter. When the seedlings are more than 10 cm tall, pinch off the growing tips to encourage branching and shaping.

Propagation methods for Phlox

Division propagation of Phlox

Division of Phlox is very simple and very suitable for home propagation. Division is generally carried out in early spring or autumn.

The root division ability of Phlox is particularly strong. During growth, lateral buds often emerge. Dig out the sprouting shoots around the mother plant and plant them, ensuring the root system is as intact as possible to increase the survival rate.

Seed propagation of Phlox

Phlox commonly uses seed propagation, with autumn sowing in warm regions and spring sowing in cold regions. The suitable germination temperature is 15-20°C.

The viability of the seeds can be maintained for 1-2 years. For autumn sowing, after the seedlings undergo one transplanting, they overwinter in a relatively low-temperature environment. Do not move them outdoors too early in early spring. With appropriate supplementary fertilizer, they will grow normally in April!

If you want to know more, learn aboutSowing methods for Phlox

Cutting propagation of Phlox

Root cuttings: carried out in spring and autumn. In combination with division planting, cut some roots into small sections about 30 cm long and bury them flat in plain sand. At 15 to 20°C, keep the soil moist, and new shoots can grow in about 30 days.

Stem cuttings: carried out in spring, summer, and autumn, generally after flowering. Stem cuttings are suitable for large-scale production. In combination with pruning and pinching, take fully grown branches and cut them into 3 to 5 cm long cuttings. Insert them into clean, sterile plain sand with a plant and row spacing of 2 to 3 cm, and simply keep the soil moist. Roots can form in about 30 days. In summer, pay attention to spraying 1 to 2 times with an 800 to 1000 times dilution of 50% carbendazim solution to prevent the cuttings from rotting.

 Leaf cuttings: in summer, take leaves with axillary buds (retain about 1/2 of the leaf), with 2 cm of stem attached, and insert them into clean, sterile plain sand. Pay attention to shading and keep the soil moist. Roots can form in about 30 days. The operation is relatively complicated and the survival rate is low.

Layering propagation of Phlox

Take one- or two-year-old branches close to the ground, bend the lower part and bury it in the soil, with the upper end of the branch exposed above the ground. When layering, first score the bark of the part of the branch buried in the soil in advance (this can release nutrients and help rooting). After rooting in about 30 days, it can be separated from the mother plant and planted.

Cultivation methods for Phlox

  Phlox, aliases: grass oleander, foreign plum flower, balloon flower pink. Family and genus: Polemoniaceae, Phlox genus. Native to southern North America, now widely cultivated around the world. The genus name Phlox means flame, because the original species of Phlox has red flowers. The species name was named in memory of Drummond.

  Annual herb, plant height 15-45 cm. Stems erect and much branched, with glandular hairs. Basal leaves opposite, upper leaves sometimes alternate, leaves broadly ovate, oblong to lanceolate, 2.5-4 cm long, apex pointed, base gradually narrowed, slightly clasping the stem. Cymes terminal, corolla salverform, diameter 2-2.5 cm, limb 5-parted, spreading, rounded, tube slender, with soft hairs, the original species red. Horticultural cultivated varieties include light red, purple, white, and other colors. Flowering period May-June. Capsule elliptic or nearly round, dehiscing into 3 valves when mature, seeds obovate or elliptic, convex on the back, relatively flat on the ventral side.

  Varieties include: round-petaled type, with large and broad petal lobes and a round appearance. Star-petaled type var. stellaris, with petal edges three-toothed, the middle tooth longer. Fringed-petaled type var. fimbriata, with corolla lobe edges finely toothed. Radiate type var. radiata, with corolla lobes lanceolate-oblong and pointed at the apex. It likes warmth, is slightly cold-tolerant, and dislikes severe heat. In the North China area, it can overwinter in a cold frame. It is suitable for well-drained, loose loam, and is not drought-tolerant, avoiding waterlogging. It commonly uses seed propagation, with autumn sowing in warm regions and spring sowing in cold regions. The suitable germination temperature is 15-20°C. The viability of the seeds can be maintained for 1-2 years. For autumn sowing, after the seedlings undergo one transplanting, they can be transplanted into a cold frame in early to mid-October to overwinter, then moved to field beds in early spring, fertilized in time, and planted out in mid-April. The flowering period is relatively long. The capsules mature at different times. To prevent the seeds from scattering, cut off the inflorescences when most of the capsules turn yellow, dry them, and thresh the seeds. Phlox plants are short and have rich flower colors. They can be used as plant materials for flowerbeds, flower borders, and rock gardens, and can also be potted for indoor decoration. Taller varieties can be used as cut flowers.