Chinese carnation charms with graceful bright flowers, generously covering branched bushes. Plants retain their decorative effect for a long time, are unpretentious in growing, look good in mixed flower beds, on rocky hills and along garden paths.
Features of the view
Chinese carnation (Dianthus chinensis) is a perennial herb that grows wild in northern regions China, Korea and Mongolia. Despite originating from rather harsh latitudes, this carnation does not tolerate winters well, is prone to freezing and therefore is grown in an annual culture in a temperate climate. Abundant flowering Plants, sown directly into the ground, begins in July and lasts until autumn.
The species is characterized by long naked knotty stems and narrow leaves of green or bluish-green color. Flowers are single or collected in large inflorescences, simple and terry, with a jagged edge, of various shades, most often in a red, white or purple palette. Particularly attractive are the varieties with bicolored and double flowers, with fringed, narrowly cut petals.
The best varieties and hybrids
AT decorative purposes Chinese carnation has been grown for more than three hundred years, and during this time numerous attractive forms, spectacular varieties and hybrids have been obtained. In amateur floriculture special attention use dwarf varieties with compact bushes reaching a height of 15-20 cm, which are characterized by lush flowering.
The garden varieties of the Chinese Geddevig carnation are very popular with rounded bushes 30–35 cm high and large non-double or double flowers with a diameter of 5–6 cm.
Carousel (Merry Go-Round)
The joyful flowers of this dwarf variety of Chinese carnations will decorate a flower bed, look great in a hanging planter or flowerpot on the porch. Neat bushes, up to 20 cm high with knotty stems and numerous flowers with a diameter of 5-6 cm white with a scarlet center.
The cut edges of the petals and the shiny, shiny texture give the cute variety even more charm. Long bloom - from early July until autumn frosts.
Vorozheya
A wonderful variation of the Geddevig carnation with densely branched light green stems forming small bushes about 35 cm high. The plants are completely covered with double flowers 4–5 cm in diameter. Satin petals, crimson-black with a jagged edge and a bright white border.
The bloom is very generous, from July to October frosts. This is one of the best terry dark colored varieties - very effective and unpretentious.
Diana F1 Crimson (Diana F1 Crimson)
A bright hybrid of Dutch selection is distinguished by large colorful flowers with a diameter of 7–8 cm, adorning a small neat bush 20–25 cm high. The petals are wide, rounded, open, deep red with a finely toothed edge. The flowering is luxurious - from the beginning of July to the dank autumn cold. This hybrid is a great choice for potting or border decoration.
In addition to the colorful Crimson form, the series includes many other attractive variations, of which the most interesting are:
- Diana F1 White (Diana F1 White) - snow-white with a split edge of the petals;
- Diana F1 Blueberry (Diana F1 Blueberry) - bright purple;
- Diana F1 Crimson Picotee (Diana F1 Crimson Picotee) - with corrugated dense pink-crimson petals;
- Diana F1 Scarlet (Diana F1 Scarlet) - fiery red, catchy.
Grace F1 crimson
Another stunning red hybrid from the same Dutch manufacturer Hem Genetics. Unlike the previous series, these plants are adorned with double, full flowers. Low bushes, growing, form dense curbs or flowering lawns.
Plant height - 18-25 cm, flowers are very large, 6-8 cm in diameter, with a fringed edge. Form Grace F1 Crimson is characterized by flowers of a dense wine-red color with spectacular white stamens.
Other beautiful varieties are presented in the series:
- Grace F1 Salmon - salmon pink;
- Grace F1 Deep rose - raspberry pink;
- Grace F1 White - sparkling white.
Grace hybrid Chinese carnations are suitable for indoor cultivation.
You will find information about other interesting species and varieties of carnations in the article "".
Site selection and soil preparation
Chinese carnations grow well in sunny areas or in a thin partial shade, and in deep shade they stretch out and practically do not bloom. The soils for planting must be drained, fertile, calcareous or neutral.
Chinese carnation is moisture-loving; in the southern regions, light loams are preferable for it - too porous sandy loam soils do not retain moisture well.
On the contrary, in the northern regions, carnation grows well on sandy loam, provided that a sufficient amount is applied organic fertilizers... At the same time, slow heating of the soil can delay the spring planting of seedlings, and it is advisable to choose a site with a slight slope to the south or southwest. In this case, the earth will warm up faster and you can start planting earlier.
Since the Chinese carnation is grown as an annual flower culture, and planting is carried out in the spring, the site is prepared in the fall. For digging, per 1 sq. m, add a bucket of rotted manure or compost, add 2-3 kg of high peat to improve the structure, and a half-liter can as a mineral fertilizer wood ash.
It is worth considering that it is unacceptable to plant Chinese carnations in areas with stagnant water, and in no case should fresh manure be introduced into the soil.
They dig up a plot to a depth of 18–20 cm, carefully selecting the roots of perennial weeds, sow thistle, which can drown out young plants and serve as a forage base for pests.
Landing features
Chinese carnation is grown by seed in an annual crop. To get flowering plants in early June, seedlings are sown in March-April. Seedlings are often used to grow valuable varieties and hybrids with a limited number of seeds. When sown in open ground in late April - early May, strong bushes will bloom not earlier than the first decade of July.
Growing seedlings
Early spring crops of carnations must be supplemented.
For sowing seeds for seedlings, a mixture is prepared from:
- humus (5 parts),
- turf land (2 parts),
- high peat (2 parts),
- sand (1 part).
It is undesirable to take garden soil for growing carnations - soil contaminated with spores of pathogenic fungi will cause infection of fragile seedlings with a black leg, fusarium, rot and other harmful infections.
If the sod land could not be obtained, it can be replaced with a purchased seedling mixture. Are comfortable peat tablets Jiffy, which are nutritious, hygroscopic, allow you to grow seedlings separately from each other and not injure the root system during transplantation.
Before sowing, the soil is spilled with a hot solution of potassium permanganate and covered with glass or polyethylene. As soon as the ground cools down a little, seeds are placed on a warm surface, sprayed abundantly from a spray bottle clean water and sprinkled with a layer of fine peat, sand or vermiculite 0.3-0.5 cm thick.
The sprouts will appear on the 5-8th day. Carnation is cold-resistant, so the seedlings are kept at a temperature of 15-17 ° C and good lighting, otherwise the plants will stretch out and be weak.
If the seedlings are grown in boxes, in the phase of 2–4 leaves, the plants are transplanted into separate cups or into boxes with a distance of 8–10 cm. When 5 pairs of leaves appear, the seedlings are pinched for better branching.
At the end of April, the seedlings are transferred to a permanent place, planted in the ground every 25-30 cm. The plantings are watered and mulched with a mixture of humus, peat and sand in equal parts or one of the components.
Sowing in open ground
Chinese carnation works well for sowing in open ground, provided there is a sufficient amount of planting material and regular moisture. Seeds are embedded in prepared loose soil to a depth of 1–1.5 cm, with a distance between rows of 25–30 cm, watered and covered with foil until shoots appear.
As soon as the first shoots appear, the film is removed, in the phase of two pairs of leaves, the seedlings are thinned out at a distance of 10 cm, if there are 5 pairs of leaves, they pinch and leave best plants every 25-30 cm. As in the case of seedlings, it is advisable to mulch the space under the plants with one of the available materials.
Plant care
For active development and abundant flowering, the Chinese carnation is regularly watered, loosened the ground and spend two or three top dressing per season. In addition, it is necessary to remove the flowering peduncles in time after, in order to prevent the setting of seeds of weakening plants.
Watering
Water the carnation every 7-10 days, abundantly, but taking care not to damage the shoots and flowers with jets of water. Ground irrigation is optimal for this species. It will improve the structure of the soil and prevent rapid evaporation of moisture in dry periods, a thick layer of mulch, which is regularly renewed. This technique will make it possible to reduce the amount of watering, slow down the growth of weeds and get developed, luxuriantly flowering plants.
Top dressing
5-7 days after planting seedlings in open ground, the plants are fed with complex fertilizer with a predominance of phosphorus or double superphosphate... To do this, dilute 20 g of superphosphate in 10 liters of water and water the plantings on wet soil. Such feeding stimulates root formation, bud formation and increases resistance to fungal diseases.
With the onset of flowering, in June - July, feeding with a balanced fertilizer will give an excellent effect. The Kemira Lux brand has proven itself well in liquid form, containing as the main nutrients - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in optimal ratioand a complex of the most important trace elements.
Disease and pest control
Chinese carnation at the stage of growing seedlings is affected by blackleg, spider mites and rot. Adult plants are subject to fusarium, aphids, click beetles and thrips.
Blackleg
A fungal disease that often occurs when growing seedlings at the germination stage in the case of placing crops in greenhouses or on window sills. Excessive watering and dampness, excess nitrogen in the soil, the use of contaminated soil or sowing infected seeds are the main causes of the development of the disease.
It manifests itself in areas of darkening of the stem near the soil surface, with further development of the infection, the root collar rotts out, breaks down and the plant dies. Preventive measures - the use of sterile soil, seed dressing, moderate watering with mandatory descent excess water... When signs of the disease appear, the affected seedlings are removed, the soil and plants are powdered with Fundazol powder, they provide ventilation, and watering is limited.
Fusarium
Carnations get sick, especially when grown after, or next to, these and other plants that are also susceptible to fungal infections. The disease manifests itself in depressed dark spots at the base of the stem, which are later covered with a brownish-pink fluff. Plants wither, become susceptible to other diseases, and die.
To combat fusarium, infected plants or parts of them are removed, and the plantings are treated with one of the fungicides. Fundazol, Fitosporin-M, colloidal sulfur, which are also effective against ticks, have shown themselves well.
Spider mite
In dry and hot conditions of greenhouses, seedlings are oppressed by spider mite colonies, manifesting themselves as white grains on the underside of the leaves. In the future, the spots merge, the affected surface dries out and falls out. The dominance of ticks can drain plantings and cause significant damage.
Pests do not like water, so regular spraying is worth doing. An effective way is to place chopped garlic on the soil or treat plants and soil with garlic infusions, as well as a suspension of colloidal sulfur.
Click beetles
Beetle larvae live in sourish dense soils, gnawing into the roots and shoots of cultivated plants and weeds. Per short term pests can severely thin out or even destroy plantings of carnations and other ornamental crops.
Effective methods of control are liming the soil (30 g per 1 sq. M) and the introduction of wood ash. It should be remembered that clickers, as well as other harmful insects, are especially fond of areas overgrown with wheatgrass, sow thistle and other weeds.
Thrips and aphids
Thrips are tiny pests that suck up plant sap and carry viral infections. Cloves are more likely to be attacked by the specific clove thrips. A lesion appears in the form of light streaks on the leaves, which then dry out, and the buds and flowers are deformed. Aphids settle in the form of colonies on young shoots, depleting plants, and developing especially intensively in hot weather.
They scare away pests of processing with infusions of garlic and onions, and for a cardinal fight with a significant number of insects, you can use one of the insecticides - Arrivo, Decis or Karate. Treatments are carried out twice, with an interval of 5-7 days.
Video about planting and growing Chinese carnations
The Chinese carnation is an adorable low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow from seed. With a little effort, in June you can enjoy a luxurious flower bed, a rabat, illuminate the path with a flower border or decorate the rocky slopes of rockery with bright lights.
Large carnations on flexible peduncles will appear one after another, in a continuous beautiful flow, attracting with the grace of shape, a variety of colors and a subtle, slightly spicy aroma.
You can grow a Chinese carnation in open ground and on the balcony.
Planting a plant with proper care will quickly give the result in the form of beautiful flowers, as in the photo.Features and varieties of Chinese carnation
The Chinese carnation can be found on almost every personal plot... Her unpretentiousness and bright colors long flowering did their job - the plant gained immense popularity among flower growers. The variety of this flower is amazing.
The color palette of the Chinese carnation is very diverse.
The plant came to Europe from China, from where it got its name. Chinese carnation is a perennial plant growing in a bush. Some varieties are grown as annual crops. Initially, the Chinese carnation was characterized by variegated burgundy strokes on the petals. Currently, the selection of the Chinese carnation has about 300 species.
Separately, I would like to highlight the view Geddevig lanciniatus, bred in the middle of the 19th century by a St. Petersburg gardener. This type is also called "edged" carnation, because of the border around the edge of the flower petal.
Carnation Geddevig lantziniatus
Chinese perennial carnation grows in a compact or spreading bush. The height of the bush is from 10 cm (dwarf varieties) to 50 cm. The stems are thin, smooth, with nodules characteristic of the carnation family. The leaves are straight, narrow, oblong (some varieties have curled leaves). The flowers of the Chinese carnation are single, up to 5 cm in diameter (on average, 2-4 cm). The structure of the flower, depending on the variety, can be double, semi-double or simple. The edging of the petals has fringes or teeth. Bushes of Chinese carnations bloom in white, pink, coral, raspberry, cherry blossoms. Some varieties combine several colors, diluting the base color with a darker or lighter edging and "eye". The variety of Chinese carnations can be seen in the photo.
The most popular varieties of Chinese cloves are:
- "Diana";
Variety "Diana"
- Schneebal;
- Feuerbal;
- Gelstrat;
- "Charm is a magic mix."
Planting a Chinese carnation
The Chinese carnation develops well and actively blooms in warm, sunny or semi-shaded flower beds. Delightful bushes grow on the east (southeast) and west side of the site. Plant growth is possible in the shade, but the desired flowering effect is unlikely to be achieved.
If you plant a plant in the shade, it most likely will not bloom.
The soil for the Chinese carnation is loamy or sandy loam. Well-drained and moderately fertilized soil is lime before planting, adding lime or dolomite flour. Chinese cloves do not like excess moisture, and stagnant water will simply destroy the plant.
Important! The Chinese carnation does not tolerate manured lands and requires liming of the soil.
Seedlings of carnations are planted in open ground in spring at an average air temperature of 20º, and division of adult bushes is possible in autumn. The distance between seedlings should not be less than 20 cm.
Reproduction of the Chinese carnation by seeds
The Chinese carnation is propagated in several ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
For annual varieties, only the seed propagation method is suitable. Perennial varieties of Chinese carnations can be propagated by all methods.
Chinese carnation seeds
Carnation seeds are brown in color and have an oblong shape. It is worth sowing them in March, although some growers start sowing in January. Ready-made peat soil mixtures are not recommended for growing carnation seedlings; it is better to take garden soil with the addition of river sand.
Before sowing, the seeds should be soaked in succinic acid and slightly dried (do not dry completely). Moisten the soil in seedling containers and sow seeds. The seeding depth should be small, up to one and a half centimeters. A greenhouse effect is created in containers: cover them with foil or glass.
Chinese carnation sprouts
The optimum temperature for seed germination is 18-20º. The first shoots appear after 10 days, after which the film is removed, and the containers are placed in a well-lit place. If there is not enough light, and the seedlings have begun to stretch, backlight is needed. When the first true leaves appear, the seedlings dive.
Important! The seedlings of the Chinese carnation are affected by the black stem. Therefore, it is impossible to overmoisten the seedlings, and instead of watering, it is better to use spraying.
When the seedlings grow up and form 4-6 true leaves, they pinch it, thereby ensuring the splendor of the future bush.
Seedlings are planted in open ground in May, when the threat of return frosts has passed.
Cutting and dividing a Chinese carnation bush
Cutting, as a way of propagating the Chinese carnation, is quite simple. However, when grafting, it is worth following some rules.
Young bushes of Chinese carnation
- For harvesting cuttings, young shoots without buds are taken.
- Cuttings are cut into 2-3 knots, the lower cut at a distance of 1 cm from the knot. Top part cut, and all leaves are removed.
- Longitudinal cuts are made along the handle.
- The harvested material is germinated in containers with sand under cover (film or can). The temperature and humidity under the shelter must be constant.
Cuttings take root quickly enough. Higher bushes can not be cuttings, but propagated by layering. The principle of these methods is the same, but the layers are not cut off, but bent to the ground and covered with earth.
By dividing the bush, only some varieties of Chinese carnations with a fibrous root system reproduce. All the properties of the mother bush are preserved with this reproduction. In spring or autumn, the bush is dug up, and the rhizome is carefully divided so that at least 3 buds of growth remain in each part.
Chinese carnation care
Like any cultivated plant, the Chinese carnation needs grooming.
Several times a season, Chinese cloves need to be fed with mineral supplements.
Fertilizer. You should be careful with feeding Chinese cloves. The plant does not tolerate manure, so it cannot be used as fertilizer. Potash and complex mineral fertilizers for garden flowers, they are applied 2-3 times per season (in spring and mid-summer). In the second year of carnation growth, calcium supplements are needed.
Watering. Chinese carnation tolerates moderate drought well. Therefore, it is better to skip watering than to flood the plant. After each watering, the soil around the bush is weeded, thereby providing air access to the roots.
Diseases and pests. With improper care, Chinese cloves are affected by many fungal diseases: fusarium, rust, root rot etc. Having noticed the first signs of fungus, remove the plant, and treat the place of growth with special means.
Aphids on carnation leaves
Chinese carnation is afraid of pests spider mite and aphids. As a preventive measure, plants are treated with a Bordeaux mixture.
For abundant flowering, withered shoots are cut off throughout the summer. For the winter, the green part is cut off, leaving 10 cm above the soil level. Outdoors, planting and caring for chinese carnation does not require special skills.
The use of Chinese carnation in landscaping
Many varieties allow the Chinese carnation to be widely used in landscape design. Bright flowers will become an ornament along the path, border the flower beds. Varieties of different heights can be used in mixboards and on ridges.
Flower bed decoration with Chinese carnation
The Chinese carnation will also decorate the rock garden. For landscaping balconies and gazebos, Chinese carnations are planted in flowerpots. Photos with Chinese carnations just beckon to compose your own, designer and unique composition in the garden.
Marigolds, not blooming green plants, forget-me-nots look great as partners of carnations. In flowerpots joint landings carnations with pansies give an amazing effect. But the neighborhood with tulips is not recommended, due to the defeat of plants by the same diseases.
The Chinese carnation belongs to the category of plants that you never tire of admiring, which every owner wants to have in his flower garden. The variety of colors makes this flower desirable for any landscape designer. The very name alone - Chinese terry carnation - makes it clear that this miracle of nature has a non-standard appearance and makes us carefully study the information about the features of its cultivation.
Today we will acquaint you with basic recommendations for planting and caring for this plant. This information will be useful not only for a novice florist, but also for those who want to learn more about this flower.
general information
This beautiful flower came to us from the east, namely from China, Mongolia and Korea. It is not known exactly where the plant originated, but these three countries are considered its homeland. Despite the fact that the flower can only grow for a year or two, it is still regularly planted in flower beds, as its beauty exceeds all expectations.
The Chinese carnation is short, not more than fifty centimeters high. The stem is generally quite thin, and the leaves are long and pointed.
The variety of varieties has led to the fact that this moment at the disposal of florists - many colors and structures of this flower. Simple, double or semi-double - a carnation is good in any form. There are buds of the same color, and there are two-color ones with unique shades. Flowers reach three to four centimeters in diameter.
origin of name
By the way, the Chinese carnation has a similar name only in our country. At home, this flower is called nothing more than the "flower of the gods." There is a whole legend about this plant. The essence of the legend is that this flower fell in love with two gods: Zeus and Jupiter. And he appeared at the moment when the goddess Artemis decided to teach a shepherd a lesson for what he sang. The drops of his blood turned into bright maroon buds. But as a result of three hundred years of breeders' work, the burgundy color has turned into a palette of various shades.
Features of the species
Speaking about the types of Chinese carnations, it is worth noting that they differ not only in the color of the buds, but also in the height of the stem and the shape of the petals. One variety has long leaves, the other has twisted leaves. One plant stretches up to half a meter in height, while the other does not grow above fifteen centimeters and is considered a dwarf variety.
Carnation blooms from the very beginning of summer and lasts until the end of the season. You can find white, pink, purple or scarlet color of the buds. But they are all beautiful. Initially, the flower could grow over the years, but in cold climates, it gradually developed into an annual plant. Now experts are working hard to restore the flower to grow for more than one or two years and increase the flowering period.
Due to the fact that the roots of the flower have a very compact shape, it is quite easy to transplant it. AND low height makes it attractive to home growing... Among the most common varieties of cloves are:
- "Diana",
- "Shnebal",
- "Gelstrat",
- "Fireball",
- "charm".
Any of these varieties looks great in a flower bed in combination with other plants.
Planting seeds
In order for such a miracle to appear in your garden, you need to properly plant and care for it. First, consider the process of planting Chinese carnation seeds.
We spread the drainage layer in a special container (pot, box). On top we place the prepared soil, which includes garden soil, sand and vermiculite. Carefully plant the seeds at a short distance from each other and sprinkle with soil. We create a greenhouse effect using oilcloth or film. We place the container in a place where it is light enough and the temperature fluctuates around twenty degrees. After a few days, you will notice the first shoots. Peel off the film and care for the sprouts, following these tips:
- the temperature should not be lower than seventeen degrees;
- the ground should be moist, but not too wet, so moisten it with a sprayer;
- if there is little sunlight, use artificial lighting;
- after the appearance of the second leaf on the stem, you need to dive the seedlings, using, for example, plastic cups;
- after three weeks after the appearance of the first sprout, you need to start accustoming the flower to a lower temperature, gradually reducing it to twelve degrees.
So we look after and wait for the formation of the root system.
We plant seedlings
The correct cultivation of the Chinese carnation depends a lot on where the flower is planted. It is recommended to plant the plant in a place that is abundantly illuminated by the sun's rays. The procedure is best done at the end. spring periodwhen the soil has warmed up enough after winter.
The chosen place is dug up and fertilized well. Examine the proposed location carefully for the presence of weeds. They will prevent the flower from growing and developing properly. When planting seedlings, make sure that the sprouts are not closer to each other than twenty centimeters. It is recommended to plant it together with a lump of earth from the container where the seedlings grew. This will help the flower to acclimatize faster in its new location. To prevent the plant from breaking, the stem does not bend, stick a small stake next to each sprout, to which gently tie the flower until the stem gets stronger.
If you plant a carnation in the shade, you risk never enjoying the beauty of its flowers, as it only blooms in the presence of abundant light. And the longer this light falls on the flower, the longer it will bloom.
Landing in the ground
There is another way of planting Chinese carnations. Growing from seeds can be done directly in an open area. This is a more troublesome process, but some growers use it, especially in warm areas. In this version, the seeds are also planted at the end of spring, when the earth has already completely moved away from the winter cold. The most difficult thing is to maintain the temperature regime at night. The seeds do not tolerate cold, so it is imperative to cover the planting site with foil. The whole procedure is as follows:
- soak the seeds for twenty minutes in a solution of succinic acid;
- we take out the seeds, let the napkin soak excess moisture;
- we prepare the landing site in advance by digging up the ground, loosening it, removing all weed grasses;
- sow seeds into the ground at a distance, sprinkle them with earth on top;
- irrigate the planting site with water using an irrigator;
- we cover the entire flower bed with foil to create a greenhouse effect and maintain a temperature of at least fifteen degrees.
After waiting three weeks, you can observe the first shoots. Seedlings need to be thinned out if they sprout too thickly.
Taking care of the flower
There are several points to consider when growing a Chinese carnation. Planting and caring for a flower is not particularly difficult, but still requires your attention. Like any plant, this flower, which came to us from warm regions, needs basic care. Here are some guidelines for a beginner grower:
- mulch the soil where the flower grows, this will prolong the flowering period;
- water the plant in moderation, but do not let the soil dry completely;
- increase watering at the time of bud setting and flowering;
- delete it will speed up the appearance of new ones;
- do not use ammonium fertilizers;
- use potassium-containing fertilizers;
- three weeks after planting seedlings, use stimulants to accelerate flower growth;
- in the fall, prune the flower, leaving about eight centimeters of the stem, and also cover the plant for the winter.
By following these simple tips, you will be able to grow beautiful plant in my garden. Your reward will be the beauty of the flower bed and the envy of your neighbors.
Possible problems
The Chinese carnation, the photo of which is presented in this article, is quite resistant to diseases and pest attacks. But with improper care, problems are possible. Over-watering or planting flowers too thickly can lead to pathogens and fungus. Do not plant carnations in the same spot all the time. At least once every five years, you need to treat the soil with fungicides. If you nevertheless notice the appearance of spots or traces of decay on the flower, remove the diseased bushes and burn them, and treat the planting site with a special antifungal agent. The fight against aphids and ticks is carried out in a standard way using special meansthat can be found in stores.
Decorating the landscape
Often the planting of a Chinese carnation is done precisely for the purpose of decoration. garden plot or park area. This is quite logical, since the plant blooms for a long time, it is easy to care for it, and it goes well with many flowers in the flower bed. Carnations also look great in a private house, where the owners strive to create coziness and comfort. Very often they are used for decoration alpine slide... Lawns in parks and flower beds in squares also dazzle with a variety of colors of this miracle. All in all, the benefits of a flower make it one of the most attractive options that landscape designers use.
Carnation - graceful plant, which is famous for the scent of its flowers. It has been known since the days of Ancient Greece. Theophrastus gave her the name: "flower of Zeus". It is also called the divine flower. Carnation chinese cultivation from seeds, possibly directly by sowing in open ground or for seedlings. The flower is successfully grown at home, it is used to decorate rocky hills, rock gardens, they frame flower beds. The plant looks good in flower pots, at hanging planters, on the terrace or on the balcony.
Chinese carnation (Dianthus chinensis), about scripture
The flower can be found in the garden of every grower. Chinese carnation is considered a perennial plant, but in cold climates it is grown from seeds annually as an annual. They will be distinguished by long flowering. When blooming, white, red, pink flowers rise like a cloud over thin green stems. Flowers can be one or two colors, with specks, “eyes”, stripes of contrasting color.
The size of the plant varies between 10-50 cm. The stems of some varieties have nodules. Pointed, elongated leaves are located on thin shoots. In some varieties, they twist to the bottom. On the site, you can create a single ensemble of multi-colored terry, simple and semi-double varieties.
In a simple flower you can count 5 petals, in a double flower - more than 20. Each petal is crowned with serrations or fringe. There are varieties with small flowers, not exceeding 1 cm in diameter, there are lush plants with a flower 4 cm in size.
Chinese carnation photo
Growing carnations from seeds
The value of the plant lies in the fact that it usually produces self-seeding. During the winter, the seeds stratify and germinate when warm weather sets in. It remains only to plant the appeared seedlings.
Specialty stores sell different varieties of cloves. They can be sown directly on the street or grown in the house. Moreover, the second method is the most suitable, since everything can be created in the room the necessary conditions for the normal development of the plant.
Sowing seeds in open ground
As soon as the snow melts and the earth warms up, it is necessary to start sowing seeds. Sowing in open ground should be in early May. The difficulty in growing is maintaining temperature regime in nighttime. Harmful to seeds low temperature, so the plantings will have to be covered with a film.
Before sowing, the seed should be soaked in succinic acid for 20 minutes. The solution must be made in accordance with the instructions. After the time has elapsed, the seeds should be taken out, put on a napkin so that it draws in water, but it cannot be dried out either. Before sowing, the bed must be loosened, weeds removed and shallow grooves made.
Attention! When sowing seeds, do not place them close to each other!
To avoid thickening of the plantings in the future, mix the seed with dry sand and sow in the furrows. Top crops are sprinkled with a small layer of soil. After which the beds should be moistened. Seeds germinate successfully at soil temperature +15 ºC and air temperature +20 ºC. It is clear that it is impossible to ensure the same temperature day and night, so the crops are covered with foil every evening. You can build a mini greenhouse, so it will be more convenient to cover and hide it.
After 3 weeks, the first shoots can be seen. If it is densely planted, the weak seedlings should be removed, and the stronger plants should be planted at an optimal distance from each other.
Chinese carnation from seeds at home
At home, sowing seeds in the ground is carried out in April. For sowing, take containers, fill with fertile soil. The soil is prepared independently: garden soil is mixed with sand and perlite - small white granules - is added to improve air exchange.
Note! The presence of perlite in the soil provides not only air access to the root system. It acts like a sponge - it absorbs excess moisture.
Sowing seeds
A drainage layer must be placed on the bottom of the pot. Shallow grooves should be made in the soil and seeds should be sown. From above, they should only be lightly sprinkled with soil, but the soil does not need to be compacted with the palm. After sowing, the soil is moistened, the container is covered with glass and the mini-greenhouse is sent to a light windowsill. Suitable temperature for germinating seeds is +20 ºC. It remains only to regularly air the plantings, water as needed and observe the appearance of the first shoots. After a few days, thin threads of new plants will appear. At this time, you need to remove the glass so that the landings do not burn out.
Daytime temperature should be within +20 ºC, night temperature should not drop below +17 ºC. If the weather is constantly rainy, it is always cloudy, the seedlings will suffer from a lack of natural light. It is recommended to install fluorescent lamps above the plants. It makes no sense to turn them on all the time, the plants grow so well, but in cloudy weather it is simply necessary.
Seedling picking
When the plant develops three true leaves, the seedlings are planted in separate pots. The procedure is carried out carefully, trying not to damage the roots. After the pick, you need to water the young carnation. How to dive seedlings correctly can be found in the video.
Seedling care
Care consists in maintaining the temperature regime, moderate watering. When the time for transplanting into open ground approaches, about 3 weeks before planting for permanent residence, the seedlings should be gradually taught to fresh air... You can take containers or pots of flowers to the balcony, loggia or outside to the garden. During this period, it is recommended to keep the seedlings at a temperature of +12 ºC at night.
Note! It is important for the gardener to get a lush bush of carnations, therefore, when the seedlings noticeably start to grow, pinch the top. The pinching is carried out over the third real sheet.
During the cultivation of seedlings at home root system grows well and the plant can become cramped in the pot assigned to it. This can be seen by the amount of water consumed. If the soil dries out quickly after watering, then the plant needs to be transferred to a large container.
Transplanting plants is beneficial for both: the carnation and the owner. The plant will be able to develop faster, and the grower will not need to water the plantings often and make sure that they do not wilt, especially in hot weather. When growing seedlings on a southern windowsill, shade the plants at noon. The sun's rays can have a detrimental effect on flower development. When to plant a plant in a flower bed?
Planting seedlings in open ground
It is advisable to transplant seedlings to a flower bed in early June. By this time, the likelihood of recurrent frosts can be excluded, so nothing will threaten the seedlings. For cultivation, choose a sunny area with fertile soil. It is advisable to plant in a place where there will be no direct sunlight on the plants at midday.
Note! Sometimes, by the time of transplanting into open ground, the first flowers appear on the seedlings. This factor will not harm the plant, it quickly adapts to new conditions.
When planting, you must observe the distance between plants. It must be at least 25 cm.
Chinese carnation care
Watering.Chinese carnation easily tolerates drought, but reacts poorly to waterlogging of the soil. It is recommended to loosen the soil after each watering. Thus, providing oxygen access to the root system.
Be careful! It is better to skip watering once than to make a swamp in the area with plants.
Lighting.Carnation prefers bright open spacebut does not tolerate direct sunlight. Therefore, when choosing a site for planting, you need to pay attention to this.
Top dressing.Chinese carnation does not tolerate organic fertilizers, therefore, fertilizing plantings with manure is contraindicated. Fertilizer should be applied with care. Plants should be fed 3 times during the growing season. Complex fertilizers containing potassium and minerals are suitable for these purposes. If in a warm climate the carnation is grown as a biennial plant, in the 2nd year of life it is required to feed it with fertilizers containing calcium.
Pest and disease control
Of the diseases, the most common are viral diseases that damage not only leaves and stems, but also the root system.
Common diseases of Chinese clove:
- Fusarium wilting. To date, there are no methods to combat this disease. The foliage of the plant first becomes discolored, the stems become dirty yellow, the tissues of the plant dry out and it dies. The stems become like straw, if kneaded in hand, you get one dust. In order to prevent the disease, treatment with the drug "Baktofit" is recommended.
- Viral diseases. Lead to discoloration of foliage, growth slows down, the plant looks depressed. The central veins on the leaf plates turn yellow. Variegation is often observed. Diseased plants should be removed. To prevent the introduction of the virus, flowers should only be cut with a disinfected tool.
- White rot. To combat the disease, the chemical "Rovral" is used. Plants wither completely. The first signs of the disease are manifested in the appearance of brown spots on the stems, inside which is the mycelium of the fungus with sclerotia - vegetative bodies.
- Brown rot. It manifests itself as rot spots on the stems. The onset of the disease is facilitated by high air humidity with poor ventilation. For the fight use drugs: "Fitosporin-M", "Rovral".
- Rust. Pads of yellow color are formed on the stems, which eventually turn brown. The plant eventually dies. It is recommended to spray with a Bordeaux mixture.
Attention! For planting plants, you can not choose a place located near conifers... Rust is bound to appear.
Insect pests:
- Spider mite. Dry air heat - ideal conditions for the appearance of the pest. On the back of the leaf, he twists his cobweb and peacefully wields, gradually reducing the plant's immunity. For spraying it is recommended to use "Fitoverm", "Actellik", "Iskra".
- Thrips. The growth point is curved, which leads to deformation of the stem. The leaves turn brown, the flowers fade. It is recommended to hang traps near the plants and treat them with tanrek, phytoverm, spark. Insects appear in high humidity conditions, so if the plants are grown in the house, it is recommended to often ventilate the area.
Pests and diseases cause great harm to the plantings, they can even destroy the entire collection. Therefore, it is important to notice changes in time and take measures to destroy insects and treat diseases.
Types and varieties of Chinese carnation
In the process of breeding work, many varieties and hybrids of Chinese carnation have been obtained. The seeds are sold in specialized stores. Before you buy planting material, you should read the growing recommendations on the packaging.
There are varieties with simple flowers, semi-double. Cloves are very popular. terry mix... That is, from the seeds of one bag, you can get plants of various colors in flowers and create with their help a beautiful composition on the site. The only pity is that you can't guess what color the flower will bloom on the plant.
Varieties:
- "Diamond". Tall compact bush with red double flowers.
- "Tenderness". The name itself speaks for itself. The medium-sized bush is covered with snow-white double flowers.
- "Black and white". A low-growing plant, suitable for border decoration or flower beds in the foreground. The color of the flowers is original: the inner petals are painted in a dark burgundy tone, and the outer ones are white.
- Vesuvius. A low-growing variety with flowers of extraordinary beauty. Orange flowers bloom on the plant in July.
Hybrid series
Why is the series good? When developing these varieties, breeders took into account all the necessary conditions for growing carnations and were able to adapt the flowers to changing weather conditions:
- "Parfait" F1. A planted plant that grows no more than 15 cm in height. But, despite its short stature, the series is famous for its huge flowers. There are varieties with pink simple flowers with a bright spot in the center, with a dark eye and pink petals.
- "Charm" F1. Abundant flowering, variety of shades, low plants - these are the advantages of the series. Carnations of this selection are suitable for growing in containers and hanging pots.
Growing Chinese carnations from seeds is not at all difficult, and even exciting. It is especially breathtaking when you are waiting for flowering and you think: "What flowers will bloom on the plant: double or simple, red or orange, white or pink, monochromatic or two-colored?"
And here it is - a carnation bloom! It's good when the result exceeds your expectations. Chinese carnation, in response to good care, will bestow lush flowers with unique colors.
Video: growing carnations from seeds
Chinese carnation is a beautiful perennial plant. True, in regions with a temperate climate, it is grown as an annual. In landscape design, the Chinese carnation has been used for more than three hundred years (counting from 1702). And it is not surprising that many interesting varieties have been bred during this time.
Any carnation looks good on flower beds and borders, in containers displayed on balconies and terraces. A mixture of different shades of cloves can be grown in the Alpine mountains, since such plants take root well on rocky soils.
General information
Chinese carnation is a relatively low flower with a straight, erect stem and narrow lanceolate leaves of a rich green hue (in some varieties, they have a twisted shape). The plant forms bushes up to 0.5 m high. But there are also dwarf varieties with a bush height of only 15 cm. It blooms from July to late autumn, so it will be a welcome crop in any garden, pleasing the eye when most plants are already withering. True, a lot depends on the region. In harsher climates, carnations will only bloom until August-September.
Her flowers are single or collected in "bunches" of 4 pieces. The description of the plant would be incomplete without mentioning the color of the petals. Initially, the Chinese carnation was not distinguished by a special richness of the palette - there were only the usual colors: red, white, bright pink. But over the long years of selection, varieties with the most fantastic color have been bred - purple, white-red, cherry, pearl-white, almost always with a contrasting stripe along the edges of the petals. You can also find a variegated variety in which several shades are mixed.
The flowers of the plant are very beautiful. There are varieties with the usual finely toothed edges or deeply dissected. At one time, both terry and semi-double forms, as well as varieties with feathery petals, were bred. Interesting that terry hybrids can bloom longer than conventional varieties, up to 5 months. But flowering begins a little later, around the end of July.
There is another beautiful plant - the Turkish (or bearded) carnation. It differs from Chinese by the presence of bracts. The variety of cloves is amazing. The garden can grow the most different types and varieties.
Most popular varieties
Seeds of a wide variety of varieties can be found in shops and garden centers today. There are about three hundred of them. The most popular are:
- 1. Diana is not terry varietygrowing in bushes of medium "growth" - up to 25 cm in height. Compact crop, blooming from July to September.
- 2. Supra is a non-double, spreading variety that blooms from July to October.
- 3. Grace is a beautiful terry variety. The bushes are spreading, rather high - up to 30 cm, sometimes more. Blooms from July to October.
- 4. Ideal Select is a richly flowering variety, usually grown as a biennial. The height of the bushes is 20-25 cm, the diameter of the flower is on average 4 cm (quite a lot for this type of carnation).
- 5. Dulce is a mixture of Chinese and Turkish velvet carnations with very beautiful and unusual flowers.
- 6. Lillipot is a dwarf variety that is quite consistent with its name. Withdrawn japanese breeders... Without treatment with growth regulators, it will remain compact. A small shrub suitable for growing in pots. Flowers can be not only pink or red, but also lavender and even orange.
- 7. Chibo is another mixture of Chinese and turkish carnation... Differs in a very long flowering, until mid-November.
- 8. Super Parfight is a very beautiful hybrid with two-tone large flowers... The bushes themselves are compact, but well branched. They can also be grown in balcony pots.
Finally, such an option as terry carnation mix is \u200b\u200bpopular, when flowers of various shades can be grown from seeds packed in one bag.
Although Chinese carnation is a perennial, many hybrids were originally bred as annuals.
Growing
Whether it is a garden carnation or a home form grown on a balcony, it is very unpretentious plantthat even a novice florist can handle. Annual varieties are propagated exclusively by seeds. Perennials can be propagated by cuttings and dividing the bush.
At home, seedlings are grown as follows. First, a suitable box or container is prepared (if any flowers have already been grown in it, it needs to be disinfected), a drainage layer is arranged at the bottom. The Chinese carnation prefers a well-hydrated, slightly calcareous soil. So the soil should be light and already damp before the seeds are planted. You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing peat with leafy earth and sand, or buy ready-made in the store.
Sowing is done in early spring... Seeds are planted in moist soil and covered with top thin layer the same soil, and then the container or box is covered with paper or film (in the latter case, due to the fact that the material does not allow air to pass through, regular ventilation is necessary). The temperature for germinating seeds should be 16-20 degrees. The soil needs to be slightly moistened so that it does not dry out.
Growing from seeds is not difficult. Usually sprouts appear after ten days, and soon they are picked. But it should be borne in mind that after the first shoots appear, the temperature in the room where the seedlings are grown should not exceed 15 degrees. So it is better to leave the plants on the insulated balcony or loggia.
It is very important that the soil remains moist, but not wet. In areas with warm climates perennial varieties can be transplanted into open ground in summer, and where conditions are more severe, they are first transplanted into a greenhouse.
The Chinese carnation can also be grown outdoors. No need to sow directly into flower beds. It is better to find a place for seedlings, from where already grown seedlings can be transplanted to a permanent bed. This plant is not afraid of light frosts, so you can sow cloves in May. It will grow best in light partial shade, but direct sunlight is also suitable for these flowers. The flower bed should be set up in an area with good drainage.
Before planting, it is recommended to harden the seedlings for some time, two weeks should be enough for this. To do this, first you just need to open a window in the room, then start taking containers with plants to the balcony or terrace. The time spent outdoors should increase gradually.
When transplanting seedlings into the soil, you need to calculate the distance between them. Much depends on the variety, but it is recommended to adhere to the general rule - the distance between the bushes should correspond to their expected height. For dwarf varieties it is 10-15 cm, for undersized - about 20 cm, and for large varieties - about 30 cm. In order for the bushes to branch well in the future, you need to pinch the top of the seedlings over the fourth pair of leaves.