Chinese carnation is a short-lived perennial plant. Most varieties are of hybrid origin and are usually grown as annuals. Popular with gardeners for its versatility and ease of care. Easy to propagate by seed.
How to sift seeds
Indoor carnation seeds sown in early February, 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. Scatter them on the surface of a sterile soil mixture, well moistened.
You need sterile soil to get seedlings
Cover by plastic wrap and put in warm place (with a temperature of at least 15 ° C). Seeds germinate from three days to two weeks, an average of 7 days. Constant soil moisture - necessary condition for germination.
The potting mix should be homogeneous, aeratedfree of pests, diseases and weed seeds.
Another task that needs to be done before seeding is to sterilize the planting containers.
Wash them in a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach and 10 parts water to kill potential pathogens that can weaken tender young seedlings.
Sterile substrate can be cook yourself:
This combination also works well: half peat moss and half perlite, vermiculite or sand.
Grown seedlings for better growth light and cool conditions are required (temperature about 10 degrees). You can put them on a sunny windowsill or just below fluorescent lamps in a well ventilated area.
The light from a sunny windowsill is great for growing the variety Within 3-4 months after sowing, young plants are ready for transplanting in the garden.
What is the difference between planting in the garden and at home
There is no particular advantage to growing Chinese carnation from seed at home. But since many varieties are tender annuals, direct sowing is not applied to them until the last frost has passed.
The plant blooms within three months after landing... Biennial varieties, if planted in the garden, usually do not bloom for the first year. Perhaps they will bloom only next summer if the seeds are sown indoors. It is advisable to start planting earlier, stimulating flowering in the first year.
Carnation seeds are small and are sown indoors in a small tray. As soon as they germinate, a pick is made - they are transplanted into separate containers.
Seedling picking: what is it, when and how to carry it out
Picking - plant transplant from one place to another. A method that most often takes the form of growing a plant from seed in optimal conditions (indoors or in a greenhouse), then transplanting it into open space at favorable conditions environment.
It is not considered appropriate for all ornamental plants, since it carries a significant risk of damaging root system. Different types react differently to a pick.
In all cases, the main problem is prevention of transplant shock - stress received in the process.
The benefits of a pick include:
- increase in the growing season;
- protection of young plants from diseases and pests until they are strong enough.
Plants grown in protected conditions usually acclimatization period required (frost resistance). In addition, root disturbance should be minimized.
For this, plants are grown in peat pots or soil blocks. During the growth stage, when transplanting occurs, weather conditions are another important factor.
In the case of picking seedlings of Chinese carnation, as soon as the first leaves appear, they are planted in peat pots (or blocks of compressed soil mixture) and left in a cool place.
Picking is one of important milestones growing seedlings When the time comes, grown and strengthened seedlings are planted in the garden at a distance of 25-30 centimeters from each other, to the same depth. Top part the root system should be at the level of the soil surface.
Try not to bury any part of the stem to avoid stem rot! Unlike other plants, Chinese carnation is not mulched. The delicate root apex and posterior stem require air circulation at all times and must be kept free from waterlogging.
How to sow seeds outdoors
Chinese carnation prefers well-drained, moderately alkaline soil. You may need to feed her with compost and manure. But the plant adapts well to dry, stony and even clayey soils.
Loves the sun, but appreciates partial shade in hot summer weather. For planting, choose a place where the flowers will be in the sun for at least four to five hours a day.
The plant is watered about once a week and fed every six to eight weeks with a universal liquid fertilizer that stimulates constant flowering.
Planting outdoors is more suitable for seedlings than for seeds Seeds are sown in the open ground after the last spring frosts: at a distance of 25-30 centimeters from each other about 3 centimeters below the surface and sprinkle with sifted compost or vermiculite, slightly compacting the soil.
Before the seedlings germinate (this can take from 7 to 14 days), the soil is constantly moistened.
Reproduction of Chinese carnation
Cuttings
In mid to late summer, stocky, non-flowering shoots from the healthiest plants are chosen. Count three or four pairs of leaves from the tip of the shoot and cut very sharp knife or blade the razor is 5-6 mm below the heel.
- Put the slice in plastic bag with wet paper towelso that it does not dry out at any stage of the process;
- After collecting as many shoots as needed, the lower pairs of leaves are peeled off;
- The cuttings are planted in a rooting container at a distance of about 3 centimeters from each other;
Each shoot is covered with rooting hormone, inserted into carefully moistened vermiculite (or a mixture of semi-perlite and vermiculite). They work carefully, without digging in the heel and without rubbing off the hormonal powder (gel).
- Once the container is full, it covered with plastic or glass and placed in a well-lit place, but shaded from direct sunlight (or under fluorescent lamps).
The "lid" is removed after two to three days. The rooting mixture must be constantly moist. After about three weeks, the cuttings will begin to slightly turn the tips towards the light and grow, indicating that rooting has begun.
When the root ball is about 3 centimeters in diameter (this can take several months), the shoots are transplanted into pots (10 centimeters in diameter) filled with well-drained soil, and transferred to a cool place until spring.
Dividing the bush
When dividing the bush, the roots are carefully loosened with a hand fork, the plant is lifted and the stems are separated from each other. The strongest stem is selected as the main one for each new bush.
Diseases and pests
Most problems can be avoided by properly watering the plant. In excessively moist soil, the crown of the flower begins to rot.
Sticky layer on the leaves - a sign of aphid infestation... Thin cobwebs on plants indicate a red spider mite infestation.
If you notice aphid damage, you need to act immediately. Otherwise, neighboring plants are at risk of infection. Slugs can also be a problem, especially in cooler climates. Slug traps placed around the plant tend to effectively control pests.
Brown, orange or yellowish spots on the shoots and on the back of the leaves are very likely caused by fungal invasion... The affected parts are removed and used for treatment with a fungicide.
General information about the flower
Flower description
Chinese carnation blooms with small pink, red or white flowers (some varieties are two-colored) 3-4 cm in diameter. Fringed flowers, single or multiple in complex umbrellas, look as if they had been cut with garden shears.
Average plant reaches a height of 30 centimeters... Leaves are green or grayish-green, linear-lanceolate, 3-5 cm long and 2-4 mm wide, with a prominent midrib, slightly narrowed at the base, whole or toothed along the edge, pointed at the apex.
Height less than half a meter is typical for this variety Stems are erect, with a branched distal part.
How long does it bloom
Flowers appear in late spring (May) or early summer (June); in regions with cool summers, the plant blooms later. Chinese carnation blooms for a longer period if regularly remove faded inflorescences.
Flowers are pinched off as soon as they begin to wither, without having time to produce seeds that shorten their life cycle.
The plant can be cut back to a third of its height, it will grow even more luxuriantly and give new buds, which will allow it to remain in full bloom in late summer, until September.
Popularity with gardeners and florists
Chinese carnation is widely cultivated as ornamental plant in various regions of the world with a temperate climate. There are many varieties available for decorating gardens.
The plant is easy to care for and looks beautiful, which is why it is very popular among professional flower growers and amateurs. Flowers range in pink color spectrum.
Gardeners, practicing breeding and hybridization for centuries, have developed numerous varieties different shades:
- White
- Cream
- Red
- Scarlet
- Burgundy
- orange flowers
- with a contrasting color on the back of the petals.
The flowers of the Chinese carnation are edible (a wonderful side dish for spring salad, and in the 19th century had a reputation for being a mild antidepressant).
Common varieties: Terry Mix, Diana
Chinese carnation flowers are spicy fragrant, but many hybrids are odorless... Moreover, the scent of cloves (even the most scented varieties) can vary depending on the microclimate, season and time of day.
Most of the commercially available varieties are compact shrubs, usually up to 20 centimeters tall, with a fairly long flowering period.
Variety Diana Variety Super Parfight Variety Terry Mix
Among the most common varieties:
Application in landscape design
Chinese carnation is a wonderful tool in landscape design. Ideal for border decoration; find their place on balconies and terraces.
Of the most different options choose the varieties that are most suitable for a particular frost resistance zones.
"Diana", "Terry" are suitable for zones 3-9; Super Parfight works in almost all zones.
- Creates a charming environment for roses;
- The cottage garden serves as a wonderful background for lavender, artemisia, santolina, sage, other Mediterranean and northern European herbs with foliage gray-green shade; looks picturesque with coreopsis;
- Dwarf varieties are an exceptional warrant for rock gardens; the plant is grown in containers or directly in the ground.
To get the seeds, you need to allow the flower to develop seed pods. When they mature, they acquire brown colordry and crack on top. They are shaken over a bowl, collecting tiny black round seeds.
Landscaping gives a flight of imagination in terms of choosing varieties for planting We talked about other varieties of this flower. For example, .
Store in a cool dry place... You can leave the seeds to fall to the ground and wait for new flowers to appear next year.
Each owner of a private house or suburban area there is flower bed... Growing flowers is one of the favorite activities of any gardener. Each of them has their own favorite flowers, but they are all good and beautiful in their own way. Chinese carnation grows in almost every garden, it is very popular. We will talk about its features in care and cultivation in the article.
This type of perennial plant belongs to the clove family, but there is also annual flower species... As the name suggests, the carnation was introduced to Europe from China in the 18th century. It is a small branchy bush that can grow from 15 to 50 cm, it all depends on the variety of flowers. In total, there are almost 300 types of carnations, but every year there are more and more varieties. They are obtained by the method of selection and hybridization. New varieties obtained in this way are distinguished by a long flowering period.
Chinese carnation almost odorless... Flowers, she has single or collected in bunches of 2-4 pieces. The photo clearly shows that the double carnation mix has buds, consisting of a group of petals. The size of the flower can be from 1 to 4 cm in diameter. Lanceolate narrow leaves are opposite. Dwarf species grow low, bushes reach only 15 cm. Other species can grow up to 0.5 meters. The good thing about Chinese carnation is that it can be grown not only in the garden, but also on the balcony in a pot.
Chinese carnation blooms from June to August. As you can see in the photo, inflorescences can be of several colors:
- white;
- purple;
- pink;
- burgundy;
- lilac.
A distinctive feature of the Chinese terry carnation - slits and stripes on the petals... The stem of the plant is erect, with narrow lanceolate leaves of a dull green color on it.
Growing from seeds
Chinese carnation can be grown in several ways:
- buy ready-made seedlings:
- dividing the bush;
- sow seeds in open ground;
- grow seedlings from seeds yourself.
The last method of growing Chinese carnation should be dealt with in more detail. Planting perennial Chinese carnation seeds is essential start in March... Seeds are sown in boxes with a drained and nutritious substrate. They should be covered with a light layer of earth. The soil is well moistened and the container must be covered on top.
The optimum temperature for germination is 16-20 o C. After 7-10 days, the cover can be removed and it is desirable to lower the temperature to 14-15 o C. Seedlings are ready for picking when they have 2-3 true leaves. It is planted in peat pots with nutritious peat mixture. In order to plant seedlings in open ground, it must get stronger. It is best to plant it in pots in a permanent place.
You can also sow seeds in open ground in early May, she is not afraid of light frosts. The seeds are sown in an open nursery and then, when they germinate, they are transplanted to a permanent place in the flower garden.
Planting and leaving
The most favorable time for planting in open ground considered the end of May... Before planting, it is imperative to prepare the garden bed and plant the seedlings at intervals of 20-30 cm. The distance between the seedlings will depend on the variety of carnations.
Watering should be done only as the soil dries up. Frequent and abundant watering negatively affects the development of the plant. In extreme heat, the amount of watering should be increased and the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
Flower care is simple, growing a Chinese carnation is within the power of any novice gardener. It is very important to be attentive to the plant and timely carry out watering, loosening the soil, and removing weeds. The beautiful and fresh look of flowers is a confirmation proper care... If you pinch the tops of the stems of a carnation, then it will bush better. The plant loves partial shade and sun.
Flowers are very respond well to feedingif you don't add too many of them. The amount and proportion will depend on the fertility of the soil. It is recommended to feed the flowers 2-3 times a month. Calcium-based fertilizers cannot be applied in the first year of life.
To extend the flowering period of a carnation, it is necessary to cut off the stems with buds that have already faded. For propagation by seeds, you must leave the inflorescences you like and then collect them.
Chinese carnation tolerates winter very well in our regions. Before wintering, its stems are cut to 10 cm above the ground in late autumn. The bushes can not be insulated, but sawdust or peat, fallen leaves can be used to protect them from freezing in severe frosts. With the arrival of spring, the cover should be removed.
Like all carnation plants susceptible to some diseases:
- fusarium;
- rust;
- spotting;
- root rot;
- septoria.
If such diseases are found, then the damaged stems must be cut and removed. It is better to deal with spider mites and aphids with Bordeaux liquid.
The secret of popularity
The plant is very popular with gardeners, which is understandable. Unlike bulbous and other plant species, the flowering phase of a carnation is very long. The flower is ideal for many purposes. It is often used in design landscape design ... The Chinese carnation is always appropriate in city parks, squares, it is planted in the form of borders. The photo clearly shows that it fits perfectly into the alpine slide. Thanks to its bright color, it looks spectacular in island and bouquet planting on lawns.
Each of us has our favorite flowers. It is thankless to say which flower is better, which is worse. They are all good and they are all unique. But Chinese carnation really has features, thanks to which it can be recommended to everyone. Her bright flowers all colors and shades are able to decorate a flower bed, border, balcony, facade, whatever! She has a long and profuse flowering... It's easy to take care of her. If you don't have a Chinese carnation in your garden yet, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of its cultivation and the variety of varieties. Without a doubt, this flower will become one of the most desirable for you.
Etymology of the name
This plant is called carnation in Russia. His name is Dianthus in Latin, which means "divine flower". It is believed that Jupiter and Zeus loved the carnation. And her appearance in the world is associated with Artemis. The myth tells that scarlet carnations appeared from drops of blood of a shepherdess, whom the goddess of the hunt, in the heat of her anger, punished for singing. The whole story of the rise of the carnation to the Olympus of popularity is somehow connected with the struggle. French revolution, our October, World War II - this proud beautiful flower invariably became their symbol.
The Chinese carnation is a more peaceful representative in the carnation family. As the name suggests, she came to Europe from China, although Korea and Mongolia are also considered her homeland. First hallmark This species had burgundy strokes on the petals, but over 300 years of active selection, many varieties with monochromatic petals appeared. Changes have occurred with her life cycle... At home, it is a perennial. We also grow Chinese carnation as a biennial or annual.
Description
Chinese carnation is a bushes with a height of 10 to 50 cm, which form thin green stems. Some varieties have characteristic nodules on them. Leaves of carnations are elongated, thin, pointed at the ends. There are species with slightly curled leaves. There are varieties with more small leaves and with wider ones. There is a simple, double and semi-double Chinese carnation. The photo below shows the Grans Favorite terry carnation.
The usual corolla consists of 5 petals with fringes or notches at the ends. In terry species, the entire flower is a group of petals. Their color is white, pink, red, lilac, burgundy, lilac and even blue. There are many species with two-color petals (light or, conversely, dark edges or middle). The size of the flowers depends on the variety and varies from 1 to 4 cm in diameter. Seeds of Chinese carnation are slightly elongated, can be damaged if handled carelessly.
Growing features
Chinese carnation, as mentioned above, was originally a perennial. In the first year after sowing, such plants, as a rule, do not bloom, but only form a healthy strong bush. Breeders have bred many varieties of annuals that bloom in the first year, just a few weeks after germination, and delight with flowering before frost. Growing a Chinese carnation is not difficult, but it requires attention. This flower is somewhat capricious in the choice of soil. You can't stick it anywhere.
For the plant to be pleasing to the eye, it must be provided with soil with good drainage, without stagnant water. In addition, regular feeding is required throughout the summer. Without them, the carnation will bloom too, but poorly. You can plant it in the sun or in partial shade, it will bloom magnificently there and there. In the shade, the plant will not die either and may even throw out a couple of buds per season, but it will not look. The root of the Chinese carnation has time to grow over the summer. Therefore, so that the plants do not interfere with each other, they must be planted at a distance of closer than 20 cm. Another scourge of dense plantings is poor air access. Carnation is propagated by seeds (all types) and by dividing the bush (perennials).
Seed propagation in the open field
Chinese carnation care is not too difficult. However, you need to try so that they generally begin to grow on the site. In temperate climates, annual Chinese carnations are more commonly used. They are grown from seeds. The complexities of the process lie in observing temperature regime and proper watering... IN open ground this is difficult to achieve, so clove seeds are rarely sown directly to the garden. If it so happens that there is no other way out, we can recommend the following: before sowing, soak the seeds in a solution of succinic acid for 20 minutes (dilute according to the instructions), let them dry slightly, but do not dry them completely. You can blot them with a paper towel. In the garden, select all the roots of the weeds, loosen, you can add a little lime. Make rows no deeper than 1-2 cm.
Mix the prepared seeds with agrovermiculite and carefully sift them into rows. Sprinkle a little agrovermiculite on top. Moisten. The soil should be exactly wet, and not flooded with water. For seed germination, the soil temperature should be +15 ... +18 degrees. The air temperature is about +20. To avoid daily temperature drops, cover the rows at night with foil or build a greenhouse over them. Seedlings should appear in 3 weeks. When they grow a little and get stronger (a couple of true leaves will appear), they must be carefully thinned out by picking and planting at the required distance from each other. By the way, in regions with moderately cold winters, self-seeding of carnations is possible, which usually gives good germination.
Chinese carnation. Planting and leaving. Photo when propagating by seedlings
To avoid all these difficulties, it is wiser to grow Chinese carnations from seeds at home, and then plant them in open ground. They do this in March, although some authors advise to sow seeds in January. Containers are prepared (ordinary bowls can be used) in this way: any drainage is placed on the bottom and the container is filled with soil (garden soil with sand, vermiculite can be added). Clove seeds are placed on the ground, sprinkled with vermiculite (it promotes seed germination). The bowls are placed on the window, where it is light, but not hot. The air temperature must be maintained up to +20. The soil in the bowls should be moist all the time. In the house, the seeds do not need to be covered. When sprouts appear, the bowls must be transferred to a room with a temperature of +15 ... +17 degrees, so that the seedlings do not stretch up much. The grown seedlings dive into separate containers, where they continue to grow (see photo) and may even discard color before planting in open ground. Carnations are planted on a flower bed when there are no return frosts.
Propagation by cuttings
If a perennial Chinese carnation falls into the hands, it can be propagated by cuttings. It is very easy. Use shoots without buds, which have from 3 to 4 leaf nodes. The stalk is cut, stepping back from bottom node up to 1 cm, the leaves are removed from it and a couple of longitudinal cuts are made on the node. The rest of the leaves are also removed, and the topmost ones are shortened. The prepared stalk is placed in calcined (cooled) sand, watered and covered with a film (you can use a jar). The air humidity underneath must be constant. The sand should also not dry out. Roots are formed already in the third week. If the carnation is high (50 cm), you can not cut off the cuttings, but bend them to the ground, having previously made cuts on the node. It is necessary to pin such a layer with something and sprinkle it with earth. Drizzle.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
This simple method makes it possible to obtain a new plant while preserving all the properties of the maternal (terry, color of the petals), but is suitable for a small part of the species, since flowers (Chinese carnation reproduces easily, but growing from seeds is still a priority) most often have a taproot. not amenable to division. If the species forms good rhizomes, you can try to get a new plant by dividing the roots. Optimal term for this - spring, before flowering. The plant is carefully dug out of the ground, the rhizome is divided so that at least 3 live buds (sprout) are obtained in each area and planted in prepared holes.
Further care
The seeds have sprung up safely, the seedlings are dived into separate containers and grow up. What to do next? What should be the planting and care for a lush Chinese carnation? The photo below shows one of the options for the correct fit.
In order for the carnation bushes to begin to bush, even at the seedling stage, they pinch the tops of the stems. Young plants are planted in the sun or in partial shade. Watering is provided very moderate. Only in extreme heat is it increased, but moisture stagnation is not allowed. Like everyone cultivated plant, cloves need weeding. For more lush bloom it needs to be fed. Do this 2-3 times a season (some gardeners recommend up to 3 times a month). Mainly use potash fertilizers or complex for carnations. For prolonged flowering, faded buds are cut from the bushes. By August, tall varieties can be pruned slightly to rejuvenate the bushes. For the winter in biennial and perennial carnations, the green part is cut off, leaving stems up to 10 cm. severe frosts they need to be covered.
Diseases and pests
Usually, a Chinese carnation grows without problems, planting and caring for which are carried out correctly. These flowers have few pests. Waterlogging, dense planting, overfeeding with fertilizers, potassium deficiency and an excess of nitrogen in the soil contribute to the appearance of diseases. Carnations, together with tulips, are affected by the same fungal diseases, so it is better not to plant them next to them. It is also not recommended to grow carnations for more than 5 years in one place, or the beds should be treated with fungicides in the fall. When red or dry spots appear on carnations, as well as when bushes wilt, regardless of watering, diseased plants must be destroyed, and the place must be treated with antifungal drugs. Spider mite and other pests to destroy with insecticides.
Landscape design
Chinese carnation has become popular for its splendor and color. The photo above demonstrates how it looks along the path. Low varieties are often used to decorate such living borders, as well as to border flower beds, to add picturesque facades. They are also grown on alpine hills, but in this case one should not forget about top dressing and soil fertility. It just won't grow among stones or in the sand. This flower is ideal for decorating balconies. Carnations are also planted in flowerpots. This "place of residence" is especially convenient for perennials. To in climatic zones with the harsh winter do not turn perennial carnation in an annual, it is recommended to cover it in the fall, before frost. To do this, spruce branches are placed on the stems remaining after pruning, on top - a film. And then the whole structure is covered with earth.
Species diversity
In the genus of carnations, there are about 300 species, and in almost each of them there are dozens of varieties. Even just listing them all in one article is impossible. Breeders are actively inventing something new. In relation to the Chinese carnation, there is truly no limit to imagination! The varieties with simple flowers and the Chinese terry carnation are equally popular. Caring for her is carried out by general rules... Growing it from seeds can upset the receipt of non-double inflorescences, but in general it does not cause difficulties, and pleases with flowering a little longer than varieties with simple five-petalled corollas.
The Chinese carnation, popular among gardeners, appeared in Europe not so long ago. At the beginning of the 18th century, the seeds of this plant were sent to France from China by a certain missionary. And only in the nineteenth century the Chinese carnation appeared in Russia. Now at the disposal of European and Russian flower growers are many varieties and hybrid forms of Chinese carnations. Any of them can be a decoration for a flower bed or container. Some varieties can bloom at home on a window or balcony.
Plant features
IN wildlife Chinese carnation grows in Korea, Mongolia and North China. For its beauty and unpretentiousness, this flower is loved by gardeners all over the world. It is used in amateur and industrial floriculture.
Chinese carnation is a perennial herb from the genus Carnation, the Clove family. The plant is a low bush with a stem height of up to 50 cm. The leaves of the Chinese carnation are arranged in pairs, have a narrow elongated shape. There are varieties with curled leaves. Exists dwarf varieties with a stem height not higher than 15 cm. In countries with a temperate climate, this perennial plant is grown as an annual. In southern latitudes, wintering in the garden is possible with compost or dry leaves.
Modern varieties have a compact bush and long flowering. The Chinese carnation blooms from June to August. Some varieties bloom almost all summer and cover part of the fall. Flowers - white, pink, burgundy.
Chinese carnation can be distinguished by the cut and rich burgundy stripes on the petals. Flowers are arranged singly or collected in several pieces on one stem, forming a small bunch. Varieties have been bred with simple and double flowers ranging in size from 3 to 8 cm. Some plants smell of a subtle aroma.
Popular varieties of Chinese cloves
Popular varieties:
- Geisha dance. The height of the bush is 30 cm, the diameter is 15-20 cm. The bushes are erect, columnar, of medium strength, there are few leaves. The main shoots are from 7 to 11 pieces. In the center of the bush there is a flower stalk 25-27 cm long. At its end non-double flowers with a diameter of about 3 cm, bright red with a faint aroma, bloom. The variety is used for decorating ridges and cutting.
Geisha dance
- Grace. A non-terry blend of lilac and hot pink flowers with white edging and speckles. Blooms in June-August. Plant height - 30 cm, planting pattern 15x15 cm. Seeds are sown in March-April, planted in the ground in May.
- Terry Mix. A mixture of terry varieties of various colors. Terry carnations bloom longer than usual - up to 5 months. Flowers have beautiful shape, decorated with graceful scalloped petals. The mixture includes varieties with purple, white-red, white-pink and white colors.
Terry Mix
- Chinese carnation + bearded Ideal Select. This is a large-flowered interspecific hybrid of the bouquet type of flowering. The diameter of the flowers is up to 4 cm. The bush grows about 20-25 cm wide. The series is good for landscape planting and growing in a container. When obtained from seed, the hybrid blooms 9 weeks after germination.
Ideal Select
- Diamond. Terry variety with deep red flowers consisting of serrated petals. Height - 30 cm, diameter of flowers - 5 -7 cm. Sprawling bush, green shoots, dark red at the nodes.
Diamond
- Diana F1. A hybrid that can be called a prime example of the achievements of modern breeding. Bred by Hem Genetics (Holland). It is a compact bush up to 20 cm high. It blooms early, has non-double flowers, but very large and unusually cut along the edges. The series includes hybrids with flowers of various colors - from white to variegated.
- Grace. Another series of varieties of hybrid origin from Hem Genetics. The series is distinguished by large double flowers up to 8 cm in diameter. Low bushes, growing, form curtains completely covered with flowers. The hybrid is great for flowering lawns and borders. It can be grown in room culture in pots.
Growing from seeds
Chinese carnations are grown as seedlings, sowing seeds in March. The plant is cold-resistant, so seedlings can be planted in the ground in mid-May. Low positive temperatures at night and during spring frosts are not terrible for a cold-resistant plant.
Seedlings in open ground are planted with an interval of 15-20 cm, 10 cm are left between miniature varieties. On the package with seeds of this variety, there is always information about the recommended distance. At the beginning of March, enough sunny days for growing seedlings without supplementary lighting. Artificial lighting may be required if the cups will stand on the north or east window. The seedlings themselves "signal" about the lack of light - the hypocotyl knee will be excessively extended, the sprouts will bend strongly towards the sun, some will even fall.
Seeds are sown in ordinary garden soil, adding a little sand or vermiculite to it. In ready-made peat-based substrates, seedlings develop poorly, since carnations need more nutritious soil. The seeds are sown to a depth of 0.5 cm and watered from above with a stream of water through a strainer so as not to wash out the seed. The container is covered with a transparent film and placed on a light windowsill. When the first shoots appear, the film is removed.
In the future, it is better not to water the seedlings from a watering can, but spray with a spray bottle, since they are extremely delicate and have small size... Carnation tends to get sick with black leg, so the main concern when caring for seedlings is uniform and accurate watering. Plants should not suffer from a lack of moisture, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
On cloudy days, early in the morning and in the evening, turn on the phytolamp. After the appearance of a pair of first leaves, the plants are planted in small plastic cups... As soon as the second or third pair of leaves appears, you need to pinch the growing point so that the bush is denser. If the roots are completely entwined with an earthen lump in a glass, the plant can be transferred into a larger container. There may be several such transplants. You should not immediately dive seedlings into a large container, since in a large volume the roots will rot due to high humidity soil.
After waiting for the bushes to take root and grow, they begin to harden them. Cups are taken out on glazed balcony or a loggia. When the temperature outside at night ceases to fall below 0 degrees, the glasses are taken out at night for fresh air... The alternation of warm daytime and low nighttime temperatures makes the seedlings strong, hardened, and prevents lodging. Seedlings are actively developing and subsequently do not get sick, are not exposed to pests. Early varieties carnations bloom already in cups, long before planting in open ground.
The plant is able to bush and bloom non-stop, but for this it needs to be planted with seedlings and ensure the optimal level of light and humidity, as well as good nutrition.
Each faded flower tends to set seeds. If it is not removed, the plant will stop flowering and will direct all its energy to rearing "offspring". In practice, it is very difficult to remove individual dried carnation flowers in a timely manner. Sometimes it is easier to wait until the inflorescence has faded on a whole branch and remove it entirely. Cloves are fed twice a month with complex fertilizer.
An indicator of proper care for a Chinese carnation is a sign that more and more flowers are opening on the bush.
The Chinese carnation is an unpretentious, long-flowering and disease-resistant ornamental plant. She wonderfully decorates the garden and delights gardeners bright colors various shades. The culture deserves the close attention of gardeners. Growing from seeds allows you to get a large number of inexpensive planting material... With a little care in early springby sowing seeds and growing seedlings, the gardener will receive a highly decorative plant, will be able to admire the flowers throughout the summer and part of autumn.
You can grow Chinese carnations both on the site and in pots on the window or on the balcony. As you know, most varieties of carnations are perennials, but in a temperate climate they are grown as annual plants... New hybrid varieties Chinese carnations are annual plants with long and lush flowering.
A Chinese carnation grows in the form of a bush up to half a meter high. Its leaves are narrow, paired, sometimes twisted. Dwarf species grow to a height of only 15 cm. Carnations bloom in June-August with white, pink, burgundy flowers with a characteristic rich burgundy strip on the petals.
Planting and caring for Chinese carnations
The annual Chinese carnation is grown exclusively from seed. Perennial - by cuttings, dividing the bush and seeds. Consider sowing a Chinese carnation from seeds, then planting it in open ground or picking it in pots.
When asked when to plant Chinese carnations for seedlings, the answer is early spring. Seeds should be planted in a prepared box with drainage and light damp soil. Top seeds fall asleep thin layer soil (2 mm) and cover with paper.
During the period of seed germination, the air temperature should be at the level of + 16..20 ºС. The soil needs to be moistened periodically. After 10 days, the first seedlings will appear, which can be dived when they germinate a little. The air temperature after the emergence of seedlings should be reduced to + 10 ... 15 ° C. It is extremely important to adhere to this temperature regime.
Chinese carnation care
You can plant seedlings of perennial carnations in the early summer, first in a greenhouse, and in the fall - transplant them into open ground, keeping a distance of 20-30 cm between plants.
Annual carnations are planted in partial shade or in direct sunlight. She absolutely does not need abundant watering. The soil at the planting site should be light and well-drained, with a little lime.
If you want to grow carnations in a pot of potting medium without soil, your plant needs a weekly feeding. Perennial plants growing in open ground need to be fed with potassium fertilizers, starting from the 2nd year.
From pests, bushes need to be sprayed and cut off already damaged areas of the plant. You also need to cut off the stems with faded flowers and seed pods if you want to prolong flowering.
Before the onset of winter, perennial carnations should be cut 10 cm above the ground. The plant does not need additional shelter - it tolerates cold well.