Phlox paniculata ismost recognized byits long-lasting dis-play of fragrant,intensely colored

flower clusters during mid-sum-mer. This old fashioned perennialalso is commonly known as gardenphlox or tall phlox. Because ofimproved breeding and plant selec-

tion, garden phlox is regaining pop-ularity as improved cultivars comeinto the market.

One of the better new introduc-tions is the Flame series, a result ofthe breeding efforts of Bartel’sBreeding in The Netherlands. Itoffers growers a compact alterna-tive, reaching 15-18 inches in height,to the historically taller (30-48 inch-es) garden phlox cultivars. Thereare four colors in the Flame series:Light Pink, Lilac, Pink and Purple.

Phlox paniculata performs wellacross a wide portion of the UnitedStates, throughout USDA HardinessZones 3-8 and AHS Heat Zones 8-1.It prefers full sun, although in theSouth it performs best when partialshade is provided. This nativeAmerican perennial is commonlyused as an aromatic border plant toattract hummingbirds and butter-flies to the garden, for accent planti-ngs and as a cut flower. With itsshorter plant habit, the Flame seriescan be used in container plantings,expanding the marketing opportu-nities for this popular perennial.

Propagation The Flame series is vegetatively

propagated using unrooted tip cut-tings. Since a plant patent is beingsought (PPAF-Plant Patent AppliedFor), unlicensed propagation of thiscultivar is prohibited.

Cuttings can be successfullyrooted by sticking them directlyinto a pre-moistened, well-drainedgrowing medium in plug trayswith large cell sizes or directly intothe final container. Dippingunrooted cuttings into a solution ofindolebutyric acid (IBA) at rates

between 750 and 1,000 ppm is notessential for successful rooting butdoes tend to provide a slightlyhigher rooting percentage andreduces rooting time.

Place the cuttings under lowmisting regimes for about the first10 days of propagation. When pos-sible, it is usually best to propagateunder high humidity levels (90-per-cent relative humidity) with mini-mum misting. The misting andhumidity levels can be reducedgradually as the cuttings form cal-luses and root primordia. Beginfeeding with 150 ppm nitrogen ateach irrigation using completewater soluble fertilizers as the cut-tings are forming roots (usuallybetween 10 and 14 days). With soiltemperatures being maintained at68-74º F, plants usually will be wellrooted in 3-4 weeks.

ProductionPhlox performs best when

grown in a moist, well-drainedmedium with a slightly acidic pHof 6.0-6.5. When planting into 1-gal. or larger containers, I recom-mend growers use two 72-cell lin-ers per container. Using multipleliners creates fuller-appearing con-tainers with more shoots andblooms per pot. Many growersplant liners during the late sum-mer of the year prior to the intend-ed date of sale. Planting liners ofphlox in this manner will allowthem to bulk up, produce moreflowers per plant and bloom earli-er than when they are planted andgrown only in the spring.

Garden phlox are moderatefeeders and perform best when �

Phlox paniculataFlame Series

6 2 GPN M a r c h 2 0 0 6

Thanks to improved breeding and plant selection, garden phlox is regaining popularity.

Brought to you by

ulture onnectionc c

By Paul Pilon

perennialsolutions

Photo courtesy of Ball Horticultural Co.

*62_PerennialSolutions.qxd 3/10/06 12:45 PM Page 62

www.martforcarts.com

➢ Rear basket width 26"➢ Rear basket height 17-3/4"➢ Basket length 37"➢ Front basket width 19-1/2"➢ Front basket height 12"➢ Floor to handle 41"➢ Total overall length 45-1/2"➢ Baby seat included

33" LONG OD

BASKET 10-1/2" DEEP

43" HIGH (O.D.)

➢ Rear basket width 20-1/4"➢ Rear height floor to handle 40"➢ Rear basket height 19"➢ Overall length of cart 35"➢ Overall basket length 30"➢ Front basket width 15-1/2"➢ Front basket depth 15"

PLANT TRANSPORT CARTGREEN MONSTER

SPECIAL SUMMER PRICE OF

$139.00• ALL METAL CONSTRUCTION• ELECTROSTATICALLY POWDER

COAT PAINTED (GREEN)• PRICE INCLUDES BASE UPRIGHT

& 3 REMOVABLE SHELVES• SHELVES ARE 2" X 2" WIRE GRID• EACH SHELF HOLDS 5 (10" X 20"

FLATS) CART HAS TOW HITCH &COUPLING

• 22 SHELF RESTS ON 3" CENTERS • 2 RIGID & 2 SWIVEL - 6" X 2"

CASTERS MOLD-RUBBER OVERCAST IRON WHEEL

56 1/2" LONG x 21" WIDE x 82 1/2" HIGH

GREEN MONSTERSUPER GREEN CART SILVER STREAK CART

NEW ITEM!SUPER GREEN CART

HANDLES HEAVY LOADSONLY

$359.00 EA.EACH CART COMES WITH

• 3 REMOVABLE SHELVES

• 4 PREFORMA CASTERS

• FORK POCKETS FOR LIFTING

• FOLDABLE & NESTABLE

IN STOCK NOW!!

57-1/2" WIDE x 31-1/4" DEEP x 83-3/4" HIGH

IT FOLDS - IT NESTS IT’S TOWABLEEXTREMELY STRONG ALL SOLID WELDED UNIT (NO TAC WELDS)3000 lbs CAPACITY - ROLLS ON

POLY CASTERS 8" & 6"8" POLY CASTERS ARE ON AXIL - 6" ON SWIVEL PLATE57" LONG X 29" WIDE X 73" HIGH(77" HIGH WITH SHELVES IN UPPOSITIONFIT 120 UNITS NESTEDIN 53' X 102" VANUSED IN EXCELLENT SHAPE -ONLY $79.00 EABUY A FULL TRUCK LOAD 120UNITS AND FREIGHTIS FREE ANYWHERE IN CONTINENTAL U.S.A.

ONLY$79.00

NEW DELUXEPLANT CARTSUPER DURABLE

THIS ROUGH & READY UNITIS ALL ZINC PLATED

CHECK OUT THESE OUTSTANDING FEATURES

• 59" Long x 21-3/8" Widex 83" High

• Each cart comes with 5removable shelves andbase

• All shelves have a solidsheet metal deck

• Accommodates other manufacturers shelves• 27 shelf rests on 2-5/8" centers• Weighs 270 lbs with all shelves in - very tough• Shelves weigh 25 lbs. ea., End Panels 31 lbs. ea.,

Base 83 lbs. each• Tow hitch and coupling included• Comes with preforma casters 5" x 2" - 2R - 2S• Bases are stackable for easy storage

4000# CAPACITY

DO IT YOURSELF KIT

ONLY $79.00 EA.

$$$AVE BIG ON THIS

ULTRA STRONG CART

CARTS FIT 125 UNITS TO A 53' VAN

USED EQUIPMENT

USED JUMBO GREEN PLASTIC SHOPPING CART USED SMALL GRAY SHOP CART OTC SHOP CARTS USED

AMAZING TECHO CART NEW IMPROVED BIG BOY FOLDING 2 SHELF TANDEM CART

HEAVIER GAUGE SHELF RESTSMORE HORIZONTAL BRACING TO STRENGTHEN CART IT’S BIG 48" W X 43" D X 82-1/2" H

IT’S STRONG 3 SIDED–WRAPPED IN 2" X 1-1/4" WIRE GRID

IT SHINESALL ZINC PLATED FOR MAXIMUM RUST RESISTANCE

IT’S VERSATILE20 SHELF RESTS ON 4" CENTERS & FORKLIFTABLE

IT ROLLSWITH 4 - 5" X 2" PHENOLIC SWIVEL CASTERS

LOW PRICE — HIGH QUALITY

HEAVY DUTY SPRING LOADEDHITCH ENGAGED FOR

TANDEM USE. EASILY FOLDS TO9 INCHES

IT’S NEW -NOT USED

LARGEQUANTITIES

IN USE

800-628-3183Box 686, Itasca, IL 60143

CALL TOLL FREE 800-628-3183Write in 302

Cart-Mart with RS# 6/28/05 11:30 AM Page 1

either a constant liquid fertilizationprogram is used feeding at rates of75-150 ppm or using higher ratesof 150-200 ppm as needed. Fertilityalso can be delivered using con-trolled release fertilizers by top-dressing the media surface usingthe medium rate listed on theproduct’s label or incorporatingfertilizers into the growing medi-um prior to planting at a rateequivalent to 1-11⁄4 lbs. of nitrogenper cubic yard of growing medium.The Flame series performs bestunder average watering regimes.When irrigation is needed, water

thoroughly and allow the mediumto dry between waterings.

Growers commonly observeaphids, spider mites, thrips andwhiteflies feeding on garden phlox.Other insects commonly observedon phlox include: caterpillar,grasshopper, leafhopper, slug andspittlebug. In most cases, theseinsects can be detected with routinecrop monitoring and do not requireproactive strategies.

Of the plant pathogens phlox arethe most susceptible to, powderymildew is observed the most fre-quently. The Flame series appears

to be highly resistant to powderymildew infections; however, undersevere conditions this disease maystill develop. Alternaria, Botrytis,Cercospora leaf spot, Fusarium,Pythium, Phytopthora, Rhizoctoniaand stem canker have also beenobserved attacking garden phlox.

To control foliar diseases, it isbest to manage the environment byproviding the proper plant spacingand adequate air movement, reduc-ing free moisture on the leaves andcontrolling the humidity. The onsetof root rot diseases often can be pre-vented by avoiding overly moist

conditions. If growers have histori-cally faced these diseases on otherphlox cultivars, it may be highlybeneficial to follow preventativeprograms using the appropriatechemicals.

With its compact growth habit,controlling plant height is usuallynot necessary when producing theFlame series. Many growers pro-duce plants at pot-tight configura-tions and still do not need to controlstem elongation.

Forcing To improve marketability, the

6 4 GPN M a r c h 2 0 0 6

ulture onnectionc c

YG YB

Write in 736 Write in 741 Write in 760

Left: ‘Flame Pink’. Middle: ‘Flame White’. Right: ‘Flame Purple’.

*62_PerennialSolutions.qxd 3/10/06 12:37 PM Page 64

phlox Flame series can be forced tobloom throughout the year. Forcinggarden phlox into flower out of sea-son involves following a few keyguidelines.

To produce full pots of highquality, the Flame series should bebulked up prior to forcing. After theliners are planted into the final con-tainer, they should be grown at 12-to 13-hour photoperiods with tem-peratures of 64-70º F to keep themactively growing. The length of thebulking period depends on the sizeof the pot; 1-qt. pots may requirethree weeks of bulking, while 1-gal.containers might require four weeksand so on. To promote branching, itis recommended to pinch plants 4-6weeks after planting, leaving 8-10nodes just prior to or at the time ofplanting.

The Flame series does not requirevernalization for flowering butshows great benefits following acold treatment. Vernalized plantsgrow more vigorously and tend toflower more rapidly and uniformlythan plants with no exposure tocold. Flame can be vernalized in thefinal container or as a liner prior totransplanting. I recommend grow-ers provide at least six weeks of coldtemperatures at 35-44º F.

Phlox paniculata are long-dayplants, requiring at least 14 hours oflight each day for flowering. Shorterphotoperiods will cause them toflower poorly or not at all. Whenthe natural day lengths are short, itis recommended to provide 14-hourphotoperiods or night-interruptionlighting. The highest quality plantsare produced in high light environ-ments (minimum 3,000 foot-can-dles). Under low light intensities,the size and quantity of flowers perplant are often reduced, and thestems are often weak and cannotsupport the weight of the flowerheads. During periods when thelight levels are naturally low, 300-400 foot-candles of supplementallighting should be provided.

The time it takes Flame to bloomafter vernalization and the properphotoperiod have been provided isa function of temperature. TheFlame series grown at 68° F willtake 10-12 weeks to reach flowering,while plants grown at 62° F willflower in approximately 14 weeks.Plants that have received a coldtreatment typically flower 1-2weeks earlier than non-cooledplants. The time to bloom alsovaries with climate, season, locationand environmental conditions.

Floramite controls mite pestsin all life stages.Make Floramite® SC miticide the cornerstone of your mitecontrol program. A single application stops tough two-spottedspider mites, from eggs to adults. Floramite miticide deliversmore than 28 days of residual control. Its unique mode ofaction and highly selective activity goes easy on predaciousmites and beneficial insects to help extend your IPM program.Safe on ornamentals and bedding plants, Floramite iseconomical and user-friendly. Ask your chemical supplier for Floramite, the one that controls spider mites in all life stages - the one for all.

www.chemtura.com

Always read and follow label directions. Floramite is a registered trademark of asubsidiary of Chemtura Corporation.©2005 Chemtura CorporationFL-ad01-0705 CCP-10905

WWrriittee iinn 770099

AvailabilityPhlox paniculata Flame is avail-

able to the industry as unrooted cut-tings exclusively from Ball Seed(www.ballseed.com). Rooted linersare available from many Ball Seedrooting stations and perennial prop-agators including C. Raker and

366-8588 or E-mail at paul@perennial-solutions.com.

Sons, Inc.; Center Greenhouse, Inc.;Dickman Farms; Gro N Sell, Inc.;Gulley Greenhouse; and SkagitGardens, Inc.

Paul Pilon is president of PerennialSolutions Consulting, Jenison, Mich.He can be reached by phone at (616)

GGPPNN

M a r c h 2 0 0 6 GPN 6 5

ulture onnectionc c

LearnMoreFor more information related to this article, go to www.gpnmag.com/lm.cfm/gp030607

*62_PerennialSolutions.qxd 3/10/06 12:34 PM Page 65