I had a gardener plant a row of rainbow warrior flax plants for me-I bought them at a nursery and they were in beautiful shape. The gardener planted them and then we saw him watering them down with the "jet" setting of the sprayer. By the time we saw this, he was almost done. The leaves were all split and the plants looked destroyed. He assured me that they would eventually stand back up and be fine. Will these plants bounce back from this??
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.
I would avoid watering into the crown, instead build a basin around the plants to help hold the water and allow it to drain into the soil around the roots.
The plants should recover once they began to become established.
I got seed in a wildflower mix. One of the flowers I didn't recognize, but have looked around and I think it is a scarlet flax. What I read said they were annuals, but it has been down in the low 20's, and the flower plants are still looking good. Do you think it is still a scarlet flax? It has such lovely flowers, I'd like to have it as a perennial little shrub. Just an FYI since it asks below, USDA maps put me in zone 6, but we are in a pocket of significantly colder winters. Thank you for any input.
Scarlet flax is a hardy annual. This means it can tolerate some frost and even live through mild winters in zone 5-6. Snapdragons are similar hardy annuals. (Tender annuals die at the first frost.) Have you gathered seed or let the plant go to seed; it often self-sows new plants. Flax is not native to North American. Wildflower mixes often include perennials, which take longer to get established and flower, as well as annuals which give an initial pop of color. If you are interested in growing native plants, do an internet search for the "native plant nursery" nearest you.
I have 20 mature flax plants approx 1 mtr in height, healthy and recently flowered 4 weeks. Flower stems are very heavy and half of them are leaning with the weight. When do I cut them and do I cut them at the base of the flower stem. Tracey Perth WA.
If you are using them for cut flowers, you could cut them any time and at any length you prefer. If they are no longer looking attractive and you simply want to clean up your garden, you can also cut them anytime you wish. If you want them to stay in the ground longer to produce fiber or flaxseeds, maybe you could tie up the bundles with string so that they stand upright.
planting a flax plant in dirt with concrete underneath.
It should be possible to grow flax over concrete, as long as the soil is at least 6 inches deep (and 12 inches deep is better, if possible). These articles will tell you more about preferred growing conditions for flax:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/flax/flax-plant-care.htm
http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene12cf.html
iv only just looked up to seewhat my plant was because to my surprise has through up enourmas shoots ready to flower after having it for at least ten years. how often does it flower and what to do after flowering
Blooming is rare outside it's native growing region or outside of a greenhouse.
Congratulations!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/new-zealand-flax/new-zealand-flax-plant-care.htm
Hi, here are pics of our flowering Flax in sunny, hot Sacramento California! This is the first time the flax have flowered. The plants may be 20 years old, they get as you can see full afternoon sun next to the green house. It appears there are both male and female parts, some yellow and some white. We are quite happy to see the huge tall flower stalks, some at least 4-5 feet long and the hummingbirds had quite a feast. Hope you enjoy our pics. There is still dried flowers that could be harvested if you want some. JJ 916-224-1402 email4JJ@yahoo.com
Nice! Keep up the good work.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/new-zealand-flax/new-zealand-flax-plant-care.htm
Some of the flax leaves are stained by reddish-brown or purplish-brown spots. This applies to what appear to be otherwise healthy flax plants in lots of different environments
Some flax varieties can be susceptible to fungal leaf spot if the conditions they're growing in are rather damp and humid. Flax grow best in relatively open, sunny spots with lots of fresh air blowing around them. So, to reduce the risk of leaf spot, prune away nearby growth to expose the leaves to as much light as possible and allow whatever breeze there is to blow around the plant and dry out the foliage. It's also a good idea to cut out badly spotted leaves close to the base, along with any dead leaves, to reduce the risk of infection. You could spray with a general fungicide.