....is a creeping phlox. I got it for $1.50 today. It even has a few flowers on it. But there are a lot of dried leaves. Do you think it will survive? How should I take care of it and where and when should I plant it? I hope it does survive - I really liked the flowers. Thanks a lot in advance! ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden )
woohoo! Another plant rescued from the mark-down rack. How long before you typically plant outdoors in your area? I'd make sure it gets a good drink now. And plant it whenever you no longer have a chance of frost. I just bought one that had dried leaves too, and just before I planted it, I cut and/or crumpled them off. I think yours will do fine with a little TLC. Just follow the planting directions and don't forget to tell it how pretty it is! :-D
I don't plant anything outdoors till labor day. Seattle weather is pretty unpredictable all through spring. I am planning to give it all the TLC it needs - just want to know what it will need from me. I have put it in the patio for now. Is that ok or should I bring it indoors? And I will surely tell it how pretty it is
Tina... Labor day? Or did you mean Memorial Day? Hopefully someone with more knowledge of your growing conditions will give you more info. But in the meantime, I think the patio would be fine, you can always move it indoors if need be. Did you check to see if it was root-bound? If it is, you might want to give it a bigger home. I'm sure someone else will come along and give you more/better info than me.
Tina, Creeping Phlox is a very hardy plant. Notice the word "creeping". It will spread, and is a great ground cover. For now, keep it in the pot if it isn't root-bound, on the patio, and water it and make sure it isn't stressed (no hot direct sun, not lots of wind). When you feel that the plant has recovered (signs of new growth) you can plant it out in the garden. As Cheryl suggested, check to see if it is root-bound (simply lift it from the container, and if you see roots running around in circles, put it in a larger container with fresh soil but no fertilizer). You got quite a bargain there--and a plant that will give you years of pleasure!
Yup, memorial day I think I saw some roots coming out from the holes in the pot. I will give it a bigger home soon then. Hope someone comes along with more advice too. Thanks a lot Cherylad!
I'm jealous Tina...that is the exact plant that someone told me i need to bring bees to the garden this year...and you got it at a steal!!! Wow..it looks like it may do just fine in a larger pot...i will go out and try to find me one this weekend...lol!!!
I'm jealous Tina...that is the exact plant that someone told me i need to bring bees to the garden this year...and you got it at a steal!!! Wow..it looks like it may do just fine in a larger pot...i will go out and try to find me one this weekend...lol!!!
it still looks good and healthy put in a new larger pot and let those roots stretch and it should do fine
Tina, Yay for you! I love phlox. Your plant will be much happier outside, it is a very hardy plant. We have it here and the winters get really nasty some years and they still survive and are beautiful when it is time to bloom. Keep it watered and at nighttime if it sounds too cold (as in freezing/frosty), cover it if you have it planted already (which is the best idea for the plant) or bring it in to a cool area overnight. plant it someplace bright. they do better in sun than in shade, too.
It doesn`t need much care other than maybe some compost added to the new potting mix. I would not feed it till you plant it in the soil. Then a mild Miracle Gro solution.
