How to grow carnations
Carnations are one of the most popular flowers in the world. Available in a wide variety of colours, these blooms can be enjoyed on their own or paired with other flowers in a vase. If you are planning on planting carnations in your garden, it’s important to prepare in advance and make sure that you understand exactly how to go about each step.
Choosing an area
Carnations need about four to six hours of sunlight every day. They enjoy sunny areas as opposed to shade so just remember this when selecting their new home. The soil should be well-drained and the pH is better on the alkaline side of the scale. They enjoy temperatures of about 50 to 65 degrees F in the day and no lower than 40 at night.
Carnation seeds
If you want to grow carnations from seeds, you need to spread them 12 inches apart and plant them about an 8th of an inch deep. Do not overwater the seeds in the beginning. Light watering three times a week is sufficient. Feel the soil before you water to make sure that it has dried out. Germination takes place after two to three weeks.
Cuttings
If you plan to grow carnations from cuttings, you can use cuttings from terminal flowers. These are the ones at the end of the sprout and not the ones where the stem and the branch meet. They should be 4 to 6 inches in length and the stem needs to be inserted into pure sand. After 25 to 30 days they can be transplanted.
Divisions
If you want to revive an old carnation plant, you can divide the plant segments and create several plants. Dig up the plant and gently separate the plant segments. Replant each division separately and water them well. You can do this every two or three years to keep your carnations happy and healthy.
Perennial versus annual carnations
An important decision to make is whether to grow carnations that are perennial or annual. Perennials should be planted (seeds) during the late autumn until the early spring. You can plant cuttings in May and divisions should be done late in the autumn season. Annual seeds should be planted in March under shelter before transferring them in the spring. Alternatively, they can be planted in the ground between April and May.
With these easy tips, you can grow carnations in your garden and really brighten up your home. Feel free to pick the flowers and place them in vases throughout your home too! There is nothing like fresh flowers to put a smile on anyone’s face.