Phlox (Tall Garden)

Growing Temperature:

Rooting out: 65-72° F
Growing on: 55-72° F

Holding Temperature:

40-50° F outdoors

Soil PH:

5.8-6.5

EC (What is EC?):

2.0-3.5 pour through method

Fertility:

Best performance when grown at moderate fertility levels. 100-150 ppm continuous feed. Time release fertilizers can also be used at the medium rate.

Vernalization:

Vernalization will increase plant vigor, decrease time to flower and improve uniformity of flowering. Provide 7-9 weeks of cold.

Pests & Diseases:

Watch for aphids, spider mites and whiteflies; scout and treat as needed.  Leaf spots and powdery mildew can be problematic.  Grow varieties that are very resistant to mildews and other fungal diseases. Good air circulation, high light levels and watering in the morning will help decrease disease incidence.

Potting & Timing:

Bare root is the best choice for full, premium plants. Small plugs must be planted the summer of the year prior to sales. They often still do not equal the size of a plant from bare root.

Moisture:

Moderate to moist. Tall Garden Phlox prefers a slightly dry start after potting up, but once the shoots begin to appear it is very important to keep plants consistently moist and well-fertilized. Overhead watering should be avoided and the plants should be well-spaced to allow for good air circulation.

Planting Level:

Place plugs and bareroot at soil level.

PGRs/Pinching:

Soft pinch when plants are 3-4 inches tall.
Paclobutrazole (Bonzi) at 45 ppm or uniconazole (Sumagic) at 10 ppm are effective means of controlling stretch.

Lighting:

Long days required to flower. Grow under high light levels.

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