How to grow carnations, even in the garden and in pots

Well-drained soil. Water sparingly but deeply. A sunny location for at least 6 hours a day.

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How to grow carnations in the garden and in pots

Beautiful, bright, colorful, the carnations they are perfect for embellishing the garden and the balcony with their bright colors. If you're wondering how to grow them, know that these are easy-to-care-for flowers that don't require much maintenance while still providing excellent and satisfying results (and with minimal effort). How to grow carnations? Here's everything you need to know.

The carnations – Dianthus caryophyllus their botanical name – are flowers characterized by a double layer of silky petals and are available in a wide range of colorsEquipped with long, sturdy stems, they have a long history behind them. They date back to ancient Greece and Roman times and their family name, Dianthus precisely, it means "flower of the gods." They symbolize charm and love and are often given as a sign of gratitude and affection. Looking for advice on carnation cultivationHere's everything you need to know to take the best care of these flowers.

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When to sow carnations? The best time for sowing is the transitional seasons such as spring or l 'autunnoTo choose the best location, know that these flowers prefer sunlight to shade. If you plan to planting clove seeds Annuals can be sown in two ways: sowing can be done in March but in a container/sheltered place and then moved in spring, or planting them directly in the ground in the months between April and May.

How to grow carnations in the garden and in pots

Land

Clove seeds should be planted in a Plot well-drained, fertile and slightly alkaline and should be distributed fairly spaced apart from each other. Too fertile or poorly drained soil will make it difficult to flowering and achieving bright colors. If the soil needs more nutrients, you can resort to bag, an organic compound obtained from the deposit of water-soaked plant remains.

Watering

Le watering They don't need to be abundant. As for frequency, it's best to water lightly two or three times a week, but not before checking the soil to make sure it's completely dry; otherwise, it's best to wait. It's better to water deeply and less often than less and more frequently.

Pruning

Le pruning They are a fundamental operation for keeping carnations healthy and strong. If the plants are in the early stages, they can be pruned by removing the flowers and old leaves to direct more nourishment to the healthy parts of the plant. pruning It should be done in the spring months: in this season, cut the stems with the flowers at the fourth or fifth node. Subsequent pruning of flowers and leaves should be done higher up.

How to grow carnations in the garden and in pots

How to plant carnations

A question that plagues many is where to place carnations. These flowers should be planted in a sunny spot (receiving at least six hours of light a day), about 30 cm apart, and not too deep in the soil. It's helpful to add some compost to the ground to provide more nourishment. Carnations can be placed both on the terrace and in garden, but the optimal temperature for their well-being is between 8 and 35ºC.

If you're wondering how to make new carnation plants, in addition to through seed, you can opt for the reproduction of carnations by cuttingIn this case, during the spring, choose a flower with a sturdy stem, cutting it near the base, then make a clean cut near a vegetative node, dip it in rooting hormone, and plant in the ground. Roots should begin to grow within 20 days. This completes the carnation propagation.

How to grow them in pots

If you prefer growing carnations in pots, choose to plant them first indoors, inside a flowerpot To ensure good drainage, sprinkle the seeds over the surface and cover them with a loose layer of soil. Once this is done, water the soil—but not too much—and cover it with a plastic bag (preferably recycled) to create a sort of greenhouse and ensure optimal protection during this delicate stage. The pot should be placed in a bright area of ​​the house or balcony, but not in direct sunlight, which could cause the flowers to burn. In winter, if the climate is harsh, it is better to keep them indoors.

More tips on how to grow carnations in jar They can be useful: once they reach 10 cm in height, you can (possibly) transplant them into the garden. As for pests, carnations are generally not bothered by them. If planting them in the ground, it's best to maintain adequate spacing to allow for good air circulation and prevent mold, mildew, and other diseases.

carnation cultivation

How many times do they bloom?

Perennial carnations first bloom in June. Depending on the species, flowering occurs between spring and late autumn.

Diseases of the carnations and remedies

I carnations They can fall victim to fungal diseases and viral diseases.
The first are:

  • Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea)

    • Symptoms: brown or gray spots on the leaves and flowers, which become soft and wilted.
    • RemediesRemove infected parts, improve air circulation around the plant, and avoid overwatering. For severe infestations, use a systemic fungicide.

  • Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum)

    • Symptoms: white powdery spots on leaves and stems.
    • Remedies: remove infected leaves and treat with specific fungicides for powdery mildew (based on sulfur or potassium bicarbonate).

  • Root rot (Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp.

    • Symptoms: yellow leaves and rotten roots, often with an unpleasant odor.
    • Remedies: improve soil drainage and avoid waterlogging. Specific fungicide treatments for root rot may be helpful.

Carnation Mosaic

As for viral diseases, this plant can suffer from this very specific problem.
  • Symptoms: light green or yellow spots on leaves, stunted growth.
  • RemediesThere are no treatments for viral diseases. Prevention is essential: remove infected plants and use seeds or cuttings from healthy plants. Also, avoid using contaminated tools.
Finally, the parasites that most attack plants are carnations they are aphids, the red spider and the ladybugs.
The advice is to first try using natural insecticides, such as neem oil or a cloth soaked in alcohol, and then move on to chemical products.

Problems and remedies

Carnation plants can suffer from two types of problems: parasites and fungal diseases. The first category includes: aphids, scale insects (attack roots, stems and leaves), thrips (insects that destroy leaves and flowers).

What are perennial carnations?

There are many varieties of carnations: these include annuals, biennials, and perennials. The latter category includes common and feathery carnations, which are among the most fragrant species. Small carnations can also be perennials: they are commonly admired in rock gardens and at the edges of flowerbeds.

How to preserve carnations in winter

It's important that, during the coldest season, the location where the carnation plant is located doesn't reach temperatures below freezing, as carnations are sensitive to frost (although they can survive temperatures as low as -3°C). In this case, it's best to protect them adequately—perhaps by covering them—or move potted carnations in the winter to more sheltered locations, away from the low temperatures.

What to do with dried carnations

Dried Carnations: What to DoTo encourage reflowering and strengthen the plant, dying leaves and flowers should be removed one by one. Only the dried flowers should be removed, or even part of the stem, if it is also drying out. How do you remove dried carnation flowers? The same applies: wilted flowers should be removed to encourage new buds to open.

If they are properly dried, however, dried carnations can be preserved and used in home decorations such as compositions and garlands.

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