How to propagate Phlox is one of the most important things for the budding gardener. There are five large classifications of plants with three of them requiring very particular conditions for successful growth. The genus Phlox includes over 40 varieties, all native to the African continent. There is one sub genus which is included in this article, and that is the ‘Phloquins’.
In the field of horticulture, phlox is known as the queen of the trees. It is a slow growing evergreen with smooth bark and pink or red flowers. The name phlox comes from the Greek word phleukos which means soft or dry wood. This is why the plant has been used to manufacture candles, soft drinks and confections like meringue.
The best time to propagate phlox is in spring. The plants flower during the spring and the vigorous growth propels the young buds out in the spring. To encourage this there are a number of things you can do including planting young cuttings in pots, covering the young buds with cuttings, and making a hole in the ground under the young cuttings. You should then cover the hole with dirt when it has completely grown up, but leave a little bit of air space.
When you want to know how to propagate phlox you need to know how to prepare the soil. Most people use compost and this does work well. Compost has a low concentration of nutrients but it also provides the necessary warmth for phlox roots to grow. The holes in the ground can be covered in dirt, sand or plant food. To add extra nutrients the best thing to do is to make a paste out of some of the plant food you have on hand and add water to it. Sand works well also.
How to propagate phlox with plants comes easier if the young plants you are replanting are coming off the plant roots already. If not then you need to remove the whole plant from the ground and any young stems that are still attached to the main stem. You will have to work a little harder because these are heavier than stems that are still attached to the main stem.
How to propagate phlox with plants comes easier when the plants are in full growth. If you have young plants or they are just breaking off the main stalk you should consider putting a pot over the area where the plant is growing. This will help the phlox need moisture more than if you were using a sunny spot that would dry out quickly.
How to propagate with phlox is not as difficult as it sounds. It is just a matter of getting the plant through its winter dormancy period and making sure that the leaves are all hanging down. Then you just need to get the plant out of those damp leaves and into a sunny spot with good drainage. Some species of phlox do not like being outside. In fact some would rather be inside under their shelter but others do fine in the sun. Just make sure to buy phlox that does not require extra light for successful planting.
How to propagate with phlox has never been easier. The beautiful purple and orange flowers are stunning against the warm yellow background of the spring landscape. The larger plants have thick wood while the shorter ones have paper-like foliage. These smaller plants can be creeping along the border. Pheathenia califolia or the cactus phlox can be found in the southern states.
