Content
Phlox Genius is an unusual perennial representative of the Sinyukhov family (Polemoniaceae), outwardly resembling a lush carnation flower. The originator of the variety, bred in 2017, is the Russian breeder V.A. Maslov. Flowers are used in decorative gardening. They blend harmoniously with other crops, so they can be found in various flower beds.
Description paniculate phlox Genius
Panicled phlox Genius is a herbaceous bush culture that grows to a height of 60-90 cm.The bush is medium spreading, its diameter does not exceed 40 cm.
Leaves are light green, oblong, pointed at the ends, slightly curved.
The plant is intended for outdoor cultivation. The frost resistance zone of the phlox Genius is 4, that is, it can withstand temperatures down to -35 ° C. It can be cultivated in the Moscow region and in other regions of Russia with a temperate climate, including the northern and mountainous areas.
Genius is a light-loving variety that grows well in areas with occasional shading. Grows rapidly under suitable conditions. Flowers can fade under the scorching rays of the sun.
Flowering features
In terms of flowering time, the Genius variety belongs to the group of medium late. The culture blooms in July-August and pleases the eye until September. The flowers are composed of strongly dissected lilac-blue petals.
Genius is a chameleon variety, the color of the flowers depends on the degree of illumination
During the day, in sunny weather, the flowers of the phlox Genius are bright blue, and on a cloudy day or in the evening they become lilac-purple. About fifty flowers are formed on one peduncle, the size of each does not exceed 2.5-3.0 cm. This variety, during flowering, creates an airy blue cloud in the flower bed. The aroma of the culture is weak, barely perceptible.
The splendor of the flowering culture depends on the growing conditions. Good air circulation, timely watering and a sunny area are the necessary ingredients to get good peduncles from the Genius phlox.
Application in design
Phlox varieties Genius look great both in single and in mass plantings.
An alley of multicolored phloxes subtly divides the territory
Phlox and daylilies will be a wonderful decoration of the local area
Phloxes secrete special substances that can protect against fusarium, so they are good companions for asters suffering from fungal pathologies.
The following cultures can become good neighbors for phlox: hosta, lungwort, lily, peony, lupine, dwarf wormwood, edelweiss, marigolds, roses
Nematodes, which are a danger to roses and phlox, never appear in the garden with marigolds, so being close to them will only benefit.
Phlox Genius can be grown at home. It will be a wonderful decoration for a balcony, veranda or glazed loggia. The bush is tall and well-growing, so a wide pot is needed. The depth of the container for planting is not very important, since the root system of paniculate phlox is located in the upper layers of the soil.
Reproduction methods
Reproduction of phlox Genius is carried out by various methods:
- Division of the bush. To do this, an adult specimen is carefully dug, shaking off excess soil from the roots. Separate the root collars with your hands and disassemble the rhizomes. If manual division fails, use a sharp knife.It is necessary to ensure that there is a growth bud on each separated part, otherwise the seedling will die. The division procedure is carried out in early spring or early autumn;
From one old copy, you can get up to 15 new ones
- Stem cuttings. For this, green, well-developed shoots are used. The lower leaves are cut, and the upper ones are cut in half. Cuttings can be planted in open ground or in a greenhouse. The procedure is carried out in May, it is during this period that the stems planted in the ground take root best. With early planting and proper care, seedlings can bloom in the fall;
There should be two knots on the handle
- Seeds bred only at experimental stations, since the seedlings grown by this method may not meet the required characteristics.
For adult bushes, division is recommended. This will help rejuvenate the seedlings and increase the number of Genius phloxes on the site.
Landing rules
The best time to plant Genius phlox is spring. Instances planted during this period will be able to bloom at the end of summer.
To prevent phlox from fading in the sun, experts recommend planting them in partial shade.
If you choose a shaded area, you can get too elongated stems, as well as late flowering of phlox Genius
The culture prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil, grows well on sandy loam. Bushes planted on fertile soils are distinguished by lush flowering.
The planting site for the phlox Genius is prepared in advance. It is cleaned of debris and weeds, dug onto a shovel bayonet. If the soil is clay, add river sand, humus, compost, mineral fertilizers.
When choosing seedlings, pay attention to the following characteristics:
- when purchased in the fall, the bush should have 2-3 thick stems with healthy leaves. Phlox shoots are cut at a height of 5-10 cm. Spring seedlings should have at least 4-5 young shoots about 6-7 cm long;
- well-developed renewal buds should be visible at the base;
- the roots should not have dried out or rotted areas.
For planting, it is necessary to break down the territory.
Between adjacent bushes of phlox Genius leave at least 50 cm
When placed with peonies, daylilies, hosta, the distance between seedlings is increased, since phloxes quickly lose their decorative properties with close planting.
Landing Algorithm:
- dig a hole, the size of which should be 5-10 cm larger than the volume of the root system. For phlox, it is enough to make a hole with a depth and diameter of 0.5 m;
- the roots of the seedling are pre-soaked in Kornevin's solution;
- a sod layer of earth, organic fertilizers are poured at the bottom of the hole;
- watered with water;
- place the seedling in such a way that the top of the rhizome is buried 3 cm into the ground;
- the earth is tamped with hands;
- watered.
Follow-up care
Phlox Genius loves moisture and does not tolerate drought well, so the seedlings are watered at least 1 time a week.
Top dressing is carried out in stages:
- in the spring, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are introduced into the soil in equal amounts;
- in summer, nitrogen or potassium-phosphorus compositions are used;
- in the fall, wood ash is suitable as a fertilizer.
Preparing for winter
To prevent the genius phlox from freezing out, you need to take care of preparing the culture for winter. This will require the following activities:
- Autumn treatment of the soil and the base of the bush with fungicides will help prevent the death of seedlings from pests and diseases.
- The dying parts of the shoots are cut off before the first frost, leaving stumps about 10 cm high.
- To protect the bush from freezing, earth is poured to its base. Hilling is not recommended, since you can damage the root system.
- A layer of mulch will also prevent frost damage to the crop. You can use peat, humus.
Pests and diseases
With improper agricultural technology, phlox Genius can suffer from viral and fungal diseases, mycoplasmosis.
Phlox fungal diseases include:
- powdery mildew, which manifests itself in the form of plaque. As a treatment, treatment with 1% soda solution is used. For prevention, spraying with a weak copper mixture is carried out;
- rust. The damaged areas are cut and burned, and the land around the seedling is treated with Bordeaux mixture (1%);
- wilting (wilt) indicates a lack of nutrients. Nitrogen fertilizers are introduced;
- septoria (white spot). Damaged shoots are cut and burned, the land is treated with Bordeaux liquid.
Bordeaux liquid helps fight fungal diseases on phlox
Viral diseases are not treatable. Bushes are subject to destruction. Disease carriers are aphids, ticks, worms and cicadas, so each seedling is regularly examined for pests and, if necessary, treated with Aktara and Confidor preparations.
Snails, slugs, aphids, weevils, wireworms, earwigs, thrips, and drooling pennies can harm phlox. For pest control, soil digging is used, as well as soil treatment with chemicals.
Conclusion
Phlox Genius is a flowering herb used in ornamental gardening. When properly planted, it grows rapidly and creates blue islands that go well with other phlox varieties.
Reviews of phlox Genius
According to reviews, phlox paniculata Genius does not require special agricultural technology, adapts well to growing conditions and pleases with lush flowering every year.
