Bifurcated Phlox

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Phlox bifurcated (Latin Phlox bifida) - flowering culture; a representative of the genus Phlox of the Sinyukhovye family. Homeland - USA. Under natural conditions, it occurs on prairies, hilly and rocky areas, as well as in areas with dry sandy soils. Included in the group of creeping phlox. Actively used in horticulture, it is represented by several attractive varieties.

Characteristics of culture

The bifurcated phlox is represented by plants that form dense green cushions or sods up to 15 cm in height during growth. Stems are erect, hard, pubescent, rather tough. The foliage is narrow, linear, bluish, in length does not exceed 4-5 cm. The flowers are small, graceful, blue-purple, lilac, violet, purple-violet, light blue or white, may have specks in the throat, up to 25 mm in diameter. The view is noticeable and unusual due to the petals, strongly dissected into two lobes, and outwardly resembling fluttering butterflies.

An early flowering species, flowering occurs in May and lasts about 30 days. In many ways, the duration of flowering depends on the location, care and climatic conditions. Forked phlox (unlike its closest relatives) is very picky about growing conditions, it feels good only on fertile, moist, loose and permeable soils. The considered type of compacted, saline, waterlogged, heavy clayey, waterlogged soils will not tolerate. The location is preferably sunny or with an openwork shade.

Currently, several varieties have been bred, among them the following are especially popular:

* Blue Form (Blue Form) - the variety is represented by plants that form dense sod up to 15 cm high, with blue-blue flowers adorned with their background;

* Petticoat (Petticoat) - the variety is represented by plants that form dense sods up to 15 cm high, with attractive pink flowers;

* Colving White (Colvin White) - the variety is represented by plants that form dense evergreen sod, with snow-white flowers;

* Starbrite (Starbrite) - the variety is represented by plants forming dense compact sod 10 cm high, with pale blue flowers.

Propagation by cuttings

Propagation by cuttings taken from the stems is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reproduce phlox, including the species in question. He is subject even to a novice gardener. Cuttings are cut from the stems so that each of them has developed leaves and at least 2 nodes.

The procedure is carried out at the end of May - beginning of July or at the end of summer, that is, in the third decade of August - the first decade of September. If cuttings are carried out in early July, then only the upper part of the stem is taken from the stem, since by this time it begins to lignify.

Cutting is done with a garden knife, pre-treated with a disinfecting solution. The upper cut is made 1 cm above the upper leaf node, and the lower one is made under the lower leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, the upper ones are shortened by half. For rooting, cuttings are planted in previously prepared ridges, the soil mixture for which is made up of garden soil, humus and washed sand, taken in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. The soil mixture layer on the ridge should be at least 10-12 cm.

Before planting, the ridges are spilled abundantly with warm and settled water, after which they are sprinkled with a layer of coarse sand. The cuttings are planted at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other, between the rows - 8-10 cm. A frame is formed around the ridge, on which a plastic wrap is pulled. The film is periodically removed for ventilation, and the soil is abundantly moistened, preventing drying out.

Cuttings take root in mid-July - early August, then they are transplanted into ridges with a distance of 20 cm from each other. In a new place, rooted cuttings are left for wintering, transplanting to a permanent place is carried out only in the third year.

If cuttings are carried out in late summer or early autumn, then cuttings are planted for rooting in cold greenhouses, but before they are treated with growth stimulants. For the winter, cuttings are insulated with dry fallen leaves, its layer should be at least 10-15 cm. The foliage is removed with the onset of stable heat. The rest of the technology is similar to that described earlier.