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Post by snowowl on Jul 13, 2009 15:04:38 GMT
I have purchased 3 scented phlox this year and they are just in bud.
What i have is 3 questions.
1 Can you take cuttings from these like penstimons?
2 I have planted 2 in the wrong place ::)i want them all in the same bed can i move them safely or will i loose them if i do?
3 If they can be moved when is the best time to do it?
I am becoming a fan of these plants and dont want to kill any of if i can help it.
If anyoune as any experiance of phlox i would be gratefull of it thanks.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 13, 2009 16:26:51 GMT
It it often suggested that it is a good idea to nip the growing tips off phlox to make them bushier - I know a couple of people here that use the tips for propagation.
The best time to move phlox is autumn I would have thought. I suppose if you moved them on a cloudy cool day and had the new holes all ready it could work, they would need watering everyday - I certainly have done it before but I have also lost plants this way.
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 13, 2009 17:25:52 GMT
There is a long article on phlox in one of the gardening mags this month SO. Apparently you should take root cuttings to make new plants and I have been very bad in the past and just moved phloxes as soon as I think they are in the wrong place - doing all the things RF suggests - lots of watering before hand and new hole ready to plant straight into. Mine are still all going strong but this may be more luck than judgement.  Which ones did you buy? |
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 13, 2009 17:26:59 GMT
I've got Blue Paradise and Mount Fuji on my wish list on Crocus. ;D
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Post by snowowl on Jul 13, 2009 20:10:33 GMT
Thanks RF and Jas.My memory is about nil at the moment Jas.
I cant remember if i got them of QVC or orderd them from a brochuer.
One is white one is dark pink and the third one i will let you know when its in flower.
Root cuttings sounds a bit hard for me can you remember which mag has the wright up on them Jas.
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Post by Auricula on Jul 13, 2009 21:52:26 GMT
I've become a fan of phlox, but I buy them as I'm rubbish at root cuttings.I guess September would be a good time to move them, but I'm not 100% sure about it.I'm like the others, just move things when I need to and hope for the best  |
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 14, 2009 6:57:40 GMT
Love Phlox but have never thought about doing cuttings from them, tips or roots. I have several clumps of white and one clump of pink, white are my fave though. Not sure what varietiy mine are, both are very tall and some are planted a bit near the front of the border  and really need to be moved. It will be on the autumn job list although I have moved stuff out of season and been successful. Like the others have said, water well before hand, prep the new home and water it well before and after planting, I'd take some of the growth down too so as you are not putting so much pressure on the plant, maybe by half and also dig up as much soil with it as you can. Wonder if the cuttings would root by just putting them in water especially if you took some from lower down where the stems are a bit woody. |
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Post by snowowl on Jul 14, 2009 12:31:57 GMT
Thanks for the replies folks i will not chance moving them till later in the year then.
I will keep as much of a root ball as i can.
Do they need a prune in autume or just leave them?
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 14, 2009 13:46:25 GMT
Cut them back in Spring and they will grow again from the bottom SO.
I'm going to try and see if a cutting will root - they are very like penstemons in most other ways aren't they?
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Post by snowowl on Jul 14, 2009 14:53:25 GMT
Thanks Jas yes thats what i thought i always take penstimon cuttings and they root easy.
I will see what happens when i move them i may break some root so will also give it a try.
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Post by Auricula on Aug 29, 2009 22:53:31 GMT
I have just taken some softwood cuttings from my phlox to see if they root. I actually did the first one by mistake - thinking it was a penstemon Then I thought, there's nothing to lose at this time of the year, so, here's hoping!!  |
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Post by Tig on Aug 29, 2009 23:05:09 GMT
Carol Klein mentioned Phlox propagation on this weeks GW .. she said basal or tip cutting would work early in the season, or root cuttings during dormancy (correct me if I misheard - just from memory at this time of night/morning can be a bit blurred  ) x Tig |
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Post by Jasmine on Aug 30, 2009 7:20:10 GMT
No, I heard her talking about that too Tig.
I didn't do any phlox cuttings in the end - did anyone else and did they take?
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Post by Ladygardener on Aug 30, 2009 7:25:01 GMT
I don't know how I missed this thread as I'm a lover of phlox and have the lovely white ones in my garden. SnowOwl I moved some of mine last autumn and now they've settled in quite wellalthough they flowered a couple of weeks later than the parent. They're still flowering well although the parent plant has gone over.I'm hoping they'll do even better next year.
You could try letting some of them go to seed and sowing them to see if you get some germination. I've never taken root cuttings of anything either. Best of luck with your soft wood cuttings Auricula.
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Post by Auricula on Aug 30, 2009 11:00:06 GMT
I took them a few days ago and so far,so good........at least they haven't keeled over yet - I'll let you know if they root |
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Post by Chuckles on Aug 30, 2009 11:58:19 GMT
I've just read that you can take cuttings in the early spring or late summer. Goody goody YOu can use stens which have flowered. Cut stems with 3-5 sets of leaves and remove the flowers. Remove all the leaves except for the top one or two sets . Make a clean cut below the lowest node and push the bare stem around the edge of a pot of mixed of sand and compost, 4-5 cuttings per pot and water them in. Put three sticks into the pot and cover them with a clear plastic bag then seal the bag around the pot with a rubber band. Place in a light place, not direct sunlight and you should have roots within six weeks or so. If you've got a heating pad or something to give a low degree of bottom heat it helps stimulate root growth. Guess what I'll be doing next week ;D |
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Post by snowowl on Aug 30, 2009 14:28:21 GMT
Wow i will give mine a go at soft tip cuttings now ;DI did see Carol on GW and was waiting eagerly to be shown how to do the cuttings. She said there was 4 ways to do Phlox cuttings but didnt show how  I am going to have a go Chuckles to next week if i have any luck it will be a bonus. |
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Post by Auricula on Aug 30, 2009 17:42:05 GMT
All this damp,humid weather has put a lot of growth on my phlox,penstemons,pinks,fuchsias and osteospernums. I'll be taking lots more cuttings next week because ther is nothing to lose and every plant will be a bonus |
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Post by maggy on Sept 1, 2009 15:31:28 GMT
You can also split the clump in my experience they are very hardy! I have about five clumps but they are all the same color deep pink! one of the clumps I have dug out and given away and ITS STILL come back !! I cant get rid of that one, and its stopping a small hibiscus shrub from growing, it smothers it. I think Carol said a non flowering tip cutting, not sure though it could have been another plant. |
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Post by Auricula on Oct 2, 2009 22:54:58 GMT
I took 2dozen softwood cuttings at the beginning of Sept, and they have nearly all rooted beautifully. I have now potted them on and they are looking good. Now I know it is easy, I'll do more next year. |
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Post by snowowl on Oct 4, 2009 14:14:08 GMT
Well done Auricula the 4 i took have not died on me yet but i dont know if they have rooted or not  |
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Post by Auricula on Oct 4, 2009 17:35:10 GMT
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Post by Ladygardener on Oct 6, 2009 8:28:20 GMT
fingers crossed for all the little cuttings. I took one a couple of weeks ago and am still not sure if it's alive or dead. |
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Post by snowowl on Oct 6, 2009 12:05:07 GMT
Had a little look at the 4 cuttings i took and yippee 2 have rooted.
They are the white ones.
I took 2 pink but nothing with them i have left them in the pot.
But im amazed at getting any to root.
I will take more next year its just like doing penstemon cuttings.
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Post by Jasmine on Oct 6, 2009 13:25:52 GMT
Well, that's brilliant and much easier than all that dividing business ;D
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Post by Ladygardener on Oct 6, 2009 18:40:35 GMT
Happy Days Snowowl good for you. |
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Post by Chuckles on Oct 6, 2009 21:01:03 GMT
Sounds like some succeses to me, well done everyone. Only got mine done at the weekend, 8 are now in pots so fingers crossed |
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 26, 2009 22:42:03 GMT
Mine seem to have taken, gave the stems a little tug and they stayed put ;D
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Post by Jasmine on Nov 27, 2009 8:11:00 GMT
That's good news Chuckles. I am going to give it a try once my phlox's spring back into life.
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Post by Auricula on Nov 27, 2009 18:00:26 GMT
Good news Chuckles, mine seem to have all rooted too |
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and really need to be moved. It will be on the autumn job list although I have moved stuff out of season and been successful. Like the others have said, water well before hand, prep the new home and water it well before and after planting, I'd take some of the growth down too so as you are not putting so much pressure on the plant, maybe by half and also dig up as much soil with it as you can. 
)
