Planting Bare Root Phlox & Hardy Geraniums| Jhuly's Aquatics & Gardening

Yes, you can order plants like bare root phlox and hardy geraniums online, for example from Lowe's.

Before planting bare root plants, it's important to hydrate them by soaking in regular tap water for about 20 to 30 minutes to an hour, or longer if specific instructions are given.

Prepare the pot by filling it partly with a good potting mix, without filling it up to the brim, which would be a waste of soil. You want to use a potting mix that is light enough for the roots to grow easily.

Place the plant in the container, spreading out the roots, and then cover them lightly with soil. Tap the sides of the pot to settle the soil, ensuring to cover the root by about a quarter inch, and then water them in.

After planting, water them well and place them in an area where they receive enough sunlight or under grow lights to prevent them from growing lanky and scraggly. You might consider cutting them back once they reach a certain height to promote bushier growth and delay blooming until the desired time.

Ideally, you should sanitize pots in a one-part bleach to ten parts water solution to kill off any pathogens and germs. However, some gardeners might not take this step while potting plants.

Cutting back the plants once they reach a certain height helps promote better branching and rooting, delays blooming time, and can potentially help combat issues such as powdery mildew.