The fact that a lot doesn't necessarily help a lot also applies to the topic of fertilizing phlox. More important than the quantity is the correct composition of the fertilizer, otherwise the opposite of what you want to achieve could occur.
How should you fertilize phlox?
To optimally fertilize phlox, it is best to use low-nitrogen, phosphate-rich fertilizer such as compost. Annual phlox should be fertilized every two weeks, while perennial phlox needs fertilization in spring. This will promote plant he alth and lush flowers.
Only if plants are optimally supplied with nutrients and water will they remain he althy and bloom profusely. If they get too much or too little of some substances, they are prone to disease and bloom sparsely or not at all. The proximity of other plants also plays an important role. For example, phlox gets along well with roses, asters or delphiniums.
What you should consider when fertilizing
Phlox can be very sensitive to too much nitrogen in the soil. This makes it susceptible to various diseases and sometimes leads to the phlox blooming sparsely or even not blooming at all. Therefore, pay attention to fertilizer that is high in phosphate and low in nitrogen. The flame flower prefers organic fertilizer such as compost, horn meal (€22.00 on Amazon) or nettle pest.
While perennial phlox only needs to be fertilized once a year, annual phlox needs fertilizer regularly. Give your perennial phlox a portion of complete fertilizer in spring or mix well-rotted compost into the potting soil. Then spread a layer of mulch on the ground. The new shoots must not be covered. The mulch layer retains moisture in the soil and prevents too many weeds from growing.
Fertilize your annual phlox regularly, about every two weeks. A liquid fertilizer is particularly suitable for this. If you shorten the tips of the main shoots on young plants, you will encourage the plants to bloom more luxuriantly.
The most important things in brief:
- best to use compost
- low-nitrogen fertilizer
- fertilize annual phlox regularly
- Fertilize perennial phlox in spring
Tips & Tricks
For lush flowering, the phlox needs a phosphate-based fertilizer that contains only a little nitrogen. This means the plants stay he althy for longer.
