Everyone chooses their favorites among a huge variety of flowers to their liking. Talking about which flower is better or worse is a thankless job. They are all, undoubtedly, good at least because they are unique. Chinese carnation has an original beauty and a number of characteristics that make it possible to recommend it for growing to every flower lover.
You can decorate anything with these bright flowers of various shades: a flower bed, a building facade, curbs, a balcony (they are good in container plantings, which makes them a mobile decoration). Bloom chinese carnation lush, rather long. The plant is easy to care for. If a Chinese carnation has not yet settled on your site, most likely, after a detailed examination, it will become one of your favorites, you will want to provide it with a place in the garden.
When the Chinese carnation blooms
The flowering period of the Chinese carnation lasts from June to August. To date, the efforts of breeders are aimed at creating hybrids with an earlier and longer flowering.
Flowers have a subtle scent. After flowering, slightly elongated seeds ripen; if handled carelessly, they can be damaged.
Chinese carnation grows in a bush from 10-15 cm to half a meter in height. Stems are thin, erect, some varieties have characteristic nodules. Elongated leaf plates with pointed tops are arranged in pairs, depending on the variety, they can be narrow or wider, twist slightly at the ends. Leaves and stems are green, may have a bluish bloom.
Chinese carnation has been cultivated since 1702. It is a perennial plant, but under conditions middle lane One- and two-year varieties are grown in Russia. Chinese carnation is also in demand in floristry: it is grown not only on an amateur level, but also on an industrial scale.
When to plant Chinese carnation seeds in the ground
In the conditions of central Russia, annual varieties of Chinese carnation are most often grown, which is still better to grow through seedlings. Perennial or biennial varieties can be sown directly in the flower bed. It is possible to sow seeds directly on the garden bed (in open ground) when the ground warms up to a range of 15-18 ° C, and the air temperature reaches 20 ° C. Approximately in terms of timing, such conditions occur in the second decade of May.
Before soaking the seeds for 20 minutes in a solution of succinic acid, which is prepared according to the instructions. Let them dry a little, but do not dry completely, you can just blot it with a paper towel.
Dig up the area, remove the weeds. Make barbs 1-2 cm deep. Mix the processed seeds with agrovermiculite, carefully sow, sprinkle with agrovermiculite on top. Moisten crops (it is better to spray with a fine spray, as the soil should be slightly damp and not flooded). To protect the daily temperature drops, cover the top with a film at night or build a greenhouse over the crops.
Under these conditions, the seeds germinate within 3 weeks. When the seedlings grow up and get stronger, they will give a couple of real leaves, you need to thin out the crops, leaving a comfortable distance. Plants plucked for thinning can be used as seedlings.
In regions with moderately cold winters, good self-seeding of carnations is noted.
Growing Chinese carnation seedlings at home
Start with Chinese carnations for seedlings in late February and early March (some growers recommend sowing from January, if early spring is in your region). You will need a container or any wide container. Lay any drainage at the bottom, fill it with a universal substrate for growing seedlings, or prepare it yourself: garden soil with the addition of sand and vermiculite.
- Spread over the soil surface, sprinkle with vermiculite (it promotes seed germination), spray with a fine spray.
- Place the container with crops on a light windowsill, maintain the air temperature at 20 ° C, the soil should be constantly moist. The foil does not need to be covered.
- When the sprouts appear, the temperature will need to be lowered to 15-17 ° C so that they do not stretch out.
- After the appearance of two true leaves, plant the sprouts in separate containers, where the seedlings will continue to grow until they are transplanted into the open ground.
- When the plants grow up, pinch the tops, leaving 4 true leaves, and the higher, cutting with scissors. This will provoke the growth of side shoots and allow you to get powerful shrubs with abundant flowering.
It is possible to transplant it into the ground when the threat of recurrent frost has completely passed. Plants by this time can already throw out color. A week before planting, harden the seedlings - first take them out into the garden for several hours, then increase the length of time until the seedlings are able to spend the night outside.
By transshipment of an earthen clod. The lune must be of the appropriate size for this. The root collar is flush with the soil surface.
How to pinch carnation seedlings video:
Conditions for growing Chinese carnations in the open field
Chinese carnation is a perennial plant. As a rule, in the first year after sowing, a strong, healthy bush is formed, and abundant flowering begins with subsequent seasons (in the first growing season, several buds may still appear). In addition, many annual varieties have been developed that bloom in the first year - they bloom a few weeks after sowing.
Clove is not difficult, you should adhere to only a few recommendations. It all starts with choosing a landing site. In order for the plant to grow well, it is necessary to choose a drained area without stagnant moisture. Do not plant in low-lying areas, close to bedding. groundwater build high bed... The Chinese carnation feels great on cultivated garden soil. Loamy soils are ideal.
You can plant in an open sunny area and in partial shade - the flowering is equally lush. To support the flowering process, fertilization will not be superfluous. Add humus or compost before digging. In a strong shade, the plant is capable of producing a small number of buds per season, but this does not bear special decorative effect.
Even in annual varieties, the rhizome has time to grow over the season. So that the plants do not interfere with each other, optimal distance between them is 20 cm. The thickening of the plantings leads to poor air permeability, which can provoke disease.
Absolutely applicable to all plants seed propagation, perennials can be propagated by dividing the bush.
Reproduction of Chinese carnation by cuttings
Perennial Chinese carnation reproduces well vegetatively.
First, cuttings can be rooted. Use budless shoots with 3-4 leaf nodes. Cut off the stalk, stepping back from bottom node about 1 cm, remove all leaves from it (node) and make a couple of longitudinal cuts. Remove the rest of the leaves, and cut the top ones by half. Plant the prepared stalk in pre-calcined sand, pour, cover on top glass jar or cropped plastic bottle... The sand should not dry out. The stalk will take root after 3 weeks, then it can be transplanted into open ground.
Reproduction by layering
Tall bushes (0.5 m high) can be propagated by layering. To do this, make a hole, bend the stem to the ground, make cuts at the knot - in this place there should be contact with the soil, fix the layering with a bracket, sprinkle it with earth, the top of the shoot should be above the soil surface. Water throughout the rooting period. Separate the young shoot from the mother plant next season and transplant.
Dividing the bush
Reproduction by dividing the bush allows you to get several new plants that completely retain all the characteristics (terry, color of the petals). The method itself is not difficult, but not suitable for all varieties. Most of them have a taproot that cannot be divided. Varieties with well-developed rhizomes can be tried to divide. Optimal time is the spring time before flowering. Dig out the bush carefully, divide it into several parts, each of which should contain three living points of growth. Plant the cuttings in prepared holes according to the size of the root system, squeeze the soil around the seedling with your palms, water.
How to care for Chinese carnations outdoors
In order for the Chinese carnation bushes to begin to bush, it is necessary to pinch the tops of the stems at the seedling stage (see the video above).
After planting in open ground, Chinese carnation needs moderate watering, weeding, and periodic fertilization. Perennials need preparation for wintering.
How to water
Water Chinese cloves regularly and in moderation. In extreme heat, water more abundantly, but do not allow moisture to stagnate.
Periodically loosen the soil, remove weeds from the site.
How to feed
In order for the flowering to be lush, additional feeding will be required. It is enough to feed 2-3 times per season (after the seedlings have taken root, at the beginning and during flowering). Some gardeners consider it permissible to apply dressings up to 3 times a month. Give preference to potash and complex fertilizers, with a low dose of nitrogen.
Pruning
Cut off faded buds from the bushes (you can leave a few to collect seeds). To rejuvenate perennial bushes (about half a meter), they can be pruned a little by August.
Winter hardiness of Chinese carnation
In autumn, the stems of biennial and perennial carnations are cut, leaving a length of about 10 cm above the soil surface. Mulch the plantings with dry leaves and cover with spruce branches, after the snow falls, additionally add a snowdrift.
Diseases and pests
Chinese carnation, with proper care, is not exposed to diseases and pests. The prerequisites for the appearance of diseases are waterlogging of the soil, thickening of plantings, overfeeding with fertilizers (an excess of nitrogen in the soil is especially harmful) or, conversely, a deficiency of potassium. Also, Chinese carnation is susceptible to the same fungal diseases as tulips - do not plant them nearby. It is not recommended to cultivate cloves in the same place for more than 5 years; in order to prevent planting from autumn, they are treated with a fungicide.
If red or dry spots appear on the plant, the bushes wither regardless of watering, the affected plants will have to be destroyed (to avoid disease of the rest), and the plantings must be treated with a fungicidal preparation.
Destroy spider mite or other pests, insecticide treatment will help.
Chinese carnation in landscape design
Due to the splendor and brightness of flowering, Chinese carnation is loved by many flower growers.
Neat low bushes look great along garden paths, are used for bordering flower beds, creating living borders, making facades more picturesque. Island or bouquet planting against the background of the lawn - great option application of Chinese clove in landscape design... When grown on alpine slide you will need to take care of the nutritional value of the soil.
Half-meter specimens will serve as background plants, you can combine different varieties, combining in height, color.
Chinese carnation is grown not only in personal plots, it can often be seen in parks and squares.
The origin of the name and a little history
This plant is called carnation in Russia. Chinese carnation (Dianthus chinensis) translated from Latin means "divine flower", the second component of the name is due to the country of origin. It was from China that she came to Europe, also to natural environment lives in Korea and Mongolia.
The origin of the carnation is shrouded in legend. She is divine because she was loved by Zeus and Jupiter. And the flowers appeared thanks to the wrath of Artemis, which fell on the shepherdess. He annoyed the goddess of the hunt with annoying singing, this flower appeared from the drops of his blood. The entire history of the popularization of the carnation is associated with struggle and sorrow. This beautiful, proud flower, shining like a torch, became a symbol of great historical events ( French revolution, Great October, World War II).
The Chinese carnation is a more “peaceful” representative of the Clove family. Initially, the distinctive features of the species were the strokes of a burgundy hue on the petals. More than three hundred years of active breeding work greatly diversified appearance plants. Many varieties have appeared with a single color (white, pink, red, lilac, burgundy, lilac and even blue) colors.
There are bicolor varieties: the edges of the petals are dark, or vice versa, the core is dark with a lighter shade towards the top of the petal. there is a simple, terry and semi-double form. A simple corolla consists of 5 petals, at the ends there are notches and a fringe; double flower consists of several rows of petals. Depending on the variety, the diameter of the corolla varies between 1-4 cm.
The best varieties of Chinese carnation with photos and names
Plain flower varieties of Chinese carnations are as popular as Chinese double carnations. Caring for the latter is also carried out according to general rules, in addition, a longer flowering is noted.
Thanks to the work of breeders, the widest selection of varieties is provided:
Chinese Carnation Diamond mix Dianthus 'Diamond Mix' photo
Diamond - bushes 25-30 cm high, terry inflorescences, dark red hue;
Vesuvius - thirty-centimeter bushes flash with an orange-red tint of inflorescences;
Schneeball - a variety of Chinese carnations with a height of about 30 cm, flowers are snow-white, double;
Tenderness - a plant with a height of 40-45 cm, flowers are double, snowless;
Feuerball - plant height is 25-30 cm, double flowers are bright red;
Snowfire F1 - the stems are extended to a height of 20 cm, the flowers are semi-double, the colors are double: the eye is bright pink, then the shade is lighter;
Black and white - a variety with thirty-centimeter stems got this name because the inside of the petals is maroon, the outside is almost snow-white; flowers are terry.
The series are especially popular:
Charm F1 - Abundant flowering carnations about 20 cm high, most often grown as a container crop. There are six pure shades: coral, red, pink, scarlet, white, you can also mix them;
Parfait F1 - crumbs only 15 cm high, large, non-double flowers. The series has two varieties: Raspberry Parfait - the dark pink heart turns into a dark pink shade of the petals; Strawberry Parfait - deep pink eyelet, petals of a more delicate shade;
Telstar F1 - bushes 25-30 cm high. There are seven sub-varieties:
Chinese carnation Crimson charm Dianthus chinensis 'Crimson Charm' photo
Crimson - fiery red flowers
Picotee - fiery red petals with a thin snow-white border
Pink - pale pink shade;
Purple Picotee - purple petals with a white border
Scarlet - bright red flowers
White - white flowers;
Telstar Mix is a mix of shades.
Medicinal properties of Chinese clove
In addition to decorativeness, Chinese carnation has a number of medicinal properties... Used only traditional medicine... For the preparation of medicinal products (infusions, decoctions, oils), the ground part of the plant is mainly used, the roots are rarely used.
The medicinal properties of Chinese clove are due to the rich chemical and biological composition of substances. Among them: glycosides, saponins, a number of alkaloids, some flavonoids, various vitamins, coumarins, tannins. Unbroken buds and flowers in a large number contain essential oils.
Reception of funds has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, diuretic, diaphoretic, hemostatic and analgesic effect.
The seed infusion is an excellent diuretic. Infusion on flowers has a therapeutic effect on uterine bleeding.
The result of comprehensive research by Chinese scientists is proven information about the ability of the components of Chinese clove oil to inhibit the development of cancer cells.
There are no contraindications to the use of products based on Chinese cloves, but individual intolerance is possible.
Preparation of medicinal raw materials
All parts of the plant are used as medicinal raw materials: roots, stems with leaves, flowers and seeds.
Dig up the roots with a garden shovel, remove the soil and rinse well under running water. Then blot with a napkin or towel. Cut into small pieces, spread out thin layer on a newspaper or a special mesh for drying. Dry in a shaded place with good ventilation (attic, shed, i.e. out of access to moisture). Can be quickly dried in an oven at 45-50 ° C.
Place the dried raw materials in fabric bags and store for two years. After the expiration date, it makes no sense to apply - the medicinal effect is lost, replace with fresh raw materials.
Harvest the aerial part (stems, leaves, flowers) in dry weather in the daytime (after dew has melted). Cut the stems almost to the root. Separate the flowers and dry them separately, similar to the roots (on a net or dry bedding, spread out in a thin even layer). The stems can be bunched and hung to dry. Store such raw materials in cloth bags or paper-cardboard boxes for no more than one year.
Collect seeds during their ripening period. Pour gently from the capsule fruit. Store in paper bags. Seeds remain viable for 4-5 years.
The choice of planting material
Chinese carnation seeds can be easily found in specialized stores. Give preference to professional packaging from the manufacturer. Do not fall for the tricks of simple packers, because of whose dishonesty you can lose time, money, hope and such precious space for seedlings.
When choosing a variety, prefer one thing, do not buy a mixture. Clove is enough exquisite flower, you can create breathtaking clumps from it, but the mixture makes the flower garden look like a rural space. Carnation is more suitable for the Versailles style than for the Provence style. The correctness and sophistication of the forms of the carnation will help to neutralize small oversights in the flower garden and will take the emphasis on itself.
When choosing a color, think about whether it is compatible, will be with colors your flower garden. Think about the landing site in advance, and this will help you make the right choice.
Chinese carnation seeds are captivating with their variety:
- Black - "Gypsy", "Vorozheya", "Chianti", "Minstrel Plasma";
- Pink with a red "eye" - "Diana Laverder Pikoti", "Strawberry", "Carousel", "Fire of the Arctic";
- White - "Diana", "White Dance";
- White with a lilac "eye" - "Mary Popins".
Terry varieties - "Fruit fondant", "Capella", "Vesta", "Imperalis".
The seed variety is simply fascinating. Don't buy everything at once, especially if you don't have experience. Stop at one or more varieties. Considering that carnations can be grown as an annual crop, as well as a perennial crop, and if you save the variety for the next season, then the variety of colors can be replenished annually.
Sowing cloves, how to do it right?
Sowing seeding 
are scattered exclusively from the possibilities of supplementary lighting. If you do not have this opportunity, then sowing in early March will be optimal. It is better to prepare the earthen mixture in advance, in the fall. Give preference to clean compost, humus and sand in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. Fill the tub, compact the soil, water and let it rest for a while. Place the seeds in the grooves made one centimeter apart. Press down with soil and compact. Cover crops plastic wrap and place on the windowsill. For germination, carnation does not require high temperatures and 18 - 20ᵒC will provide good shoots.
After germination, sometimes remove the foil for airing, and keep the soil moderately moist. Watering is best done from a spray bottle followed by airing.
Plant picking is carried out when real leaves appear. First unpack into small containers, and then transfer to larger ones. If the rhizome is not injured during transplantation, then there will be no growth arrest either. Chinese carnation looks great when formed by a lush bush. Bush with huge amount flowers looks very elegant and pompous. In order to get such a bush, you need to take care of this at the seedling age. When the seedlings are 3 -4 cm (2 -3 pairs of leaves), pinch off, and immediately fertilize with complex mineral fertilizers. This agronomic technique will cause the carnation to release additional shoots from the internode and form a bush.
By mid-May, it is quite possible to grow Chinese carnations from seeds at home. Seedlings ready for planting are transplanted into open ground and continue to grow there. If the agricultural technique for growing Chinese carnations is followed, then after 2 - 3 weeks the bushes will bloom. Do not rush to plant a carnation if return frosts are possible in your region, the carnation will not withstand even freezing temperatures and will suffer greatly.
Choosing a landing site
For abundant flowering carnations need a sunny spot, but they do well with light shading.
When planting a carnation, it is necessary to leave its place for the development of the root system, as well as growth. The plant will not tolerate compacted plantings.
For non-stop flowering, a constantly moist soil is needed. In dry hot summers, this can be achieved with the help of daily watering, as well as mulching the soil. The slightest drying out of the earthen coma leads to a stop of flowering, and it will take 2 - 3 weeks to recover. If the drying out is very frequent, the carnation stops flowering altogether.
The carnation flower is very beautiful and pleases with its beauty for a long time, but as soon as it begins to fade, it must be picked immediately. Ripening of seeds prevents the formation of buds, flowering becomes rare and the bush loses its attractiveness.
We do top dressing
Chinese carnation is very responsive to feeding, both organic and mineral fertilizers. For top dressing, you can use a universal mineral fertilizer for flowering plants, as well as a solution of chicken manure 1:20, horse, pig, cow manure at the rate of 1:10. With regular fertilizing, your carnation will bloom continuously throughout the summer. Fertilize twice a month, starting from the moment of planting the carnation in the open ground and ending in September.
Without seedling method of cultivation
Modern flower supermarkets offer an excellent assortment of Chinese carnation pottery. Planting Chinese carnations without a seedling method is not at all difficult. When purchasing a bush, take a close look at its root zone in order to identify rot, pests, powdery mildew... If the bush is healthy, feel free to plant it in open ground using the transshipment method. Further care does not differ from the seedling method.
From a huge variety different types flowers the leading position is occupied by the Chinese carnation. This plant happens different varieties and types. It has a lot of advantages. The colorful inflorescence gives the owners a sense of celebration and comfort. Also, this flower can be grown not only outdoors, but also in small pots. In order to grow a beautiful and healthy plant, you need to familiarize yourself with its characteristics and basic care rules.
Quite a few people love to grow flowers in their backyards. Flowers in the yard not only give it beautiful view, but also fill the air with pleasant aromas. The Chinese carnation is a perennial plant of the carnation family that came to the domestic expanses of the southern regions of Primorsky Krai from Northern China. The plant is characterized by slender and geniculate stems of bright green color. The average height of the stem reaches 40-50 cm. The foliage of the plant is long and narrow. The tips of the leaves are pointed. The arrangement of leaves on the stem is opposite. The foliage has a color from deep green to gray-green.
Most often, the flowers of the Chinese carnation are single. Examining the flowers closer, you can see that their edges are serrated. Carnation blooms are simple or double, depending on the variety and subspecies. Flowering occurs at the end of June and continues until the first frost. When the flowering process takes place, a box is formed, filled with new seeds. A particularly favorite species among gardeners is the Chinese terry carnation. It features cuts and stripes on the petals. On a standing stem, there are narrow lanceolate leaves of a muted green color.
How to grow seedlings?
Annual types of carnations are bred only by seeds, and perennial varieties - by cuttings. There are several ways to plant Chinese carnations in your garden:
- purchase ready-made seedlings;
- bush cuttings (used only with perennial varieties);
- planting seeds in open ground.
The latter method is considered the most beneficial for breeding this plant. It is recommended to plant seeds for seedlings in spring. The most optimal time is considered to be the month of March. To do this, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil. In order to plant seeds for seedlings, use the usual garden soil, to which sand and vermiculite are added. You can also use soil, which contains peat and humus.
A medium-sized drainage layer must be laid out at the bottom of the intended container. After that, the container is filled with soil, which should be moistened before sowing the seeds. Seeds that fit in the container must be covered with a thin layer of nutritious soil. After sowing, the soil with seeds is covered with a film. Growing from seed requires regular maintenance temperature regime and timely moistening of the soil. When the first shoots appear, the film is removed, and it is recommended to move the container to a well-lit place.
In order for the plant to be healthy and give beautiful flowers, it is very important to ensure correct and timely care seedlings. Care is based on correct watering... Watering the sprouts is necessary after the soil has completely dried. Foliage should not be allowed to wilt - this slows down growth and worsens the condition of the plant.
For dosed watering, you can use a spray bottle. As the flower develops, it is necessary to add fresh soil. The extra soil holds the thin and delicate stems of the plant. At the end of May, when the weather starts to delight with warmth outside, the seedlings can be planted in open ground, but first you need to pick.
The picking process is carried out when the plant has more than 3 leaves. Each seedling must be carefully transplanted into a separate peat pot with a nutritious substrate. In order for the seedlings to get stronger faster and prepare for planting in open ground, it must be hardened.
There are many ways of hardening, but the simplest and most reliable is to take the seedlings into fresh air. You can take out containers only in calm weather. If you follow all the simple growing rules, you can get a high germination rate and beautiful and strong seedlings.
Landing in open ground
Chinese carnation, the cultivation of which does not require special conditions, is used as decor and landscaping of the courtyard of a private house, flower beds and loggias. You can plant seedlings of this plant both in open ground and in flowerpots. The landing period starts in May and lasts until early June. Areas that are well lit are best suited. With a lack of sunlight, the stem of a carnation grows rather thin, and its flowering does not last long and is not too abundant.
Before planting, the soil must be well loosened and dug up. It is recommended to nourish the earth with useful substances. Humus acts best in this role. Seedlings of Chinese carnations are planted in pre-prepared beds at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. So as not to damage root system plants, seedlings are planted in peat cups or together with an earthen lump that formed during the growth of the sprout.
Since the carnation is a tall plant, you need to take care of the stems in advance. To strengthen them after planting, you can install a special peg that will support the plants during the entire cycle. The process of planting a Chinese carnation must be carried out carefully so as not to damage the stems and root system.
Chinese carnation care
The Chinese carnation, like any other plant, needs quality care. Care includes several basic processes:
- 1 In order for the carnation bush to be as lush as possible and reach large sizes, it is necessary to pinch the top. Pinching should be carried out over 2-3 pairs of leaves.
- 2 Watering is the basis of care, therefore it must be carried out correctly and in a timely manner. Chinese cloves must be watered once every 7 days. During the hot period, watering should be increased. Do not allow the bay and the formation of puddles. You need to water directly under the root. Water adhering to foliage or buds may cause development various diseases.
- 3 For good development and growth, the plant needs feeding. For Chinese carnation, a substrate, potassium and complex fertilizers are used. Fertilizers can be applied once every 14-20 days. Fertilizers should be purchased at a specialized store. When preparing fertilizer, you must follow the instructions.
- 4 To extend the flowering period, dried stems and faded buds must be cut off. Pruning is carried out with a sharp secateurs at a distance of 15 cm from the ground. After a while, this bush will give new shoots.
It is very important to protect the plant from various diseases and pests that impair plant growth. The most dangerous diseases for Chinese cloves are:
- rust;
- fusarium;
- spotting;
- root rot;
- septoria;
- viral diseases.
To prevent diseases from developing, it is necessary to monitor the moisture content of the soil, and remove the affected plants from the site. Bordeaux liquid can be used to protect against pests.
Chinese carnation - bright and beautiful plant, which is able to decorate any flower bed or flower garden. To grow it, you need to have knowledge of when to plant and how to care. Carnation goes well with other types of flowers, which also grow in bushes. Iris and sage stand out very strongly against the background of the carnation. The best neighborhood of carnations is considered to be geraniums, edelweiss and various decorative grains. Flower beds with carnations can be decorated with original stones.
You can grow Chinese carnations outdoors 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 - perennial growing 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 Chinese carnations has about 300 species.
Separately, I would like to highlight the view Geddevig lantziniatus, bred in the middle of the 19th century by a Petersburg gardener. This type is also called "edged" carnation, because of the border around the edge of the flower petal.
Carnation Geddevig lanciniatus
Chinese perennial carnation grows in a compact or spreading bush. Bush height from 10 cm ( dwarf varieties) up to 50 cm. Stems are thin, smooth, with nodules characteristic of the carnation family. 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 a fringe or teeth. The bushes of the Chinese carnation 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... The Chinese carnation does not like excess moisture, and stagnant water will simply destroy the plant.
Important! Chinese carnation does not tolerate manured land and requires liming of the soil.
Seedlings of carnations are planted in open ground in spring at an average air temperature of 20ºC, and division of mature bushes is possible in autumn. The distance between seedlings should not be less than 20 cm.
Reproduction of the Chinese carnation by seeds
Chinese carnation propagates in several ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
For annual varieties, only the seed propagation method is suitable. Perennial varieties 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 dry slightly (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, backlighting 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 the 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 a cover (film or can). The temperature and humidity under the shelter must be constant.
Cuttings take root quickly enough. Higher bushes can be propagated by cuttings rather than cuttings. 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 in such a way that at least 3 growth buds remain in each part.
Chinese carnation care
Like any cultivated plant, Chinese carnation needs grooming.
Several times a season, Chinese carnations 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 are applied 2-3 times per season (in spring and mid-summer). In the second year of carnation growth, calcium supplements are needed.
Watering. The Chinese carnation tolerates moderate drought well. Therefore, it is better to skip watering than to water the plant. After each watering, the soil around the bush is weeded, thereby providing air access to the roots.
Diseases and pests. Chinese carnation at improper care is 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
Of the pests, the Chinese carnation is afraid of spider mites 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
The many varieties allow the Chinese carnation to be widely used in landscape design. Bright flowers will decorate the path, border the flower beds. Varieties of different heights can be used in mixboards and on beds.
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, non-flowering 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.
In the Clove family, there are many both pure species and selection fruits. One of the undoubted achievements of breeders is the Chinese carnation. The ancestor of the species is Dianthus. Translated from the Greek language, the name literally means “wondrous flower”. Well, the Chinese carnation is named because it was brought from China to Europe at the very beginning of the 18th century. Chinese carnation is a perennial flower culture but is often grown as an annual.
The plant has an erect stem, narrow lanceolate leaves of a dull green color. It is valuable in gardening and landscape design in that it can continue to bloom for four months - from July to late autumn.
Flowers are single or arranged in bunches of 2-4 pieces. The colors are extraordinary. In general, dianthus did not initially differ in richness of color. Red "proletarian", pure white, deep pink. But after the breeders took on this flower, everything changed.
Today you can find Chinese carnations of all kinds of colors in flower-bed gardens:
- purple;
- variegated;
- white and red;
- cherry;
- white and pink;
- pearl white;
- pink crimson.
Flowers - very beautiful shape... The edges of the petals are finely toothed or deeply dissected. In the selection, semi-double and double forms, feathery, two-colored, striking the imagination with beauty.
By the way! In hybrid terry and velvet varieties, flowering is longer, up to five months. But it starts later than the usual non-double varieties, somewhere in the middle of July.
The secret of popularity
This plant has such a multipurpose use that only tagetes and bulbs can compare with it. But bulbs have a significant drawback - they bloom early and quickly fade. Carnation enters the flowering phase in the middle of summer, and pleases with its flowers for two seasons. Therefore, Chinese cloves are used for various purposes.
Chinese carnation is a frequent visitor to summer cottages, front gardens and multi-season flower beds.
She is willingly decorated with city parks, planted in the form of borders, used for decorative floriculture.
Also, this flower is grown in containers on the balcony or in floor pots for outdoor decoration of the local area.
A Chinese carnation can comfortably exist on an alpine slide.
The plant, thanks to its bright colors, looks great on the lawn, therefore it is used for island and bouquet planting.
You can use this flower both for a monoclumba (one-color), and for a multicolor or multicolor flowerbed. Carnation is combined with both undersized and tall plants.
Chinese carnation varieties
Scientists all over the world are closely involved in the selection of Chinese carnations. The Europeans were the most successful in this. It was they who brought out the famous hybrid and terry varieties, which are today the most popular and in high demand among summer residents.
| Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| "Diana" | Non-double, medium-sized, 25cm high, compact bush, flowering July-September |
| "Supra" | Non-double, spreading, bush height 25 cm, flowering - July-October |
| "Grace" | Terry, spreading, bush height 30 cm, flowering July-October |
| "Charms" | Semi-double, compact, bush height 20 cm, flowering July - end of September |
| "Chibo" | A mixture of Turkish and Chinese, compact bush 25 cm tall, blooms until mid-November from mid-July |
| "Dulce" | A mixture of Turkish velvet with Chinese, height 25 cm, compact bush. blooms - July-October |
How to Grow Chinese Carnation Seeds
The conditions for the development of the Chinese carnation are the most modest ones. A well-lit area is suitable for her, but if there is none, it will grow in partial shade.
The soil is best suited for it with a good drainage component, loose and not at all heavy. But if there is no such, it will grow and even bloom on almost any soil.
Important! This plant does not tolerate stagnant water. Planting in an area where water does not leave for a long time during rain or after irrigation is possible only with an artificially made drainage layer.
Cloves do not treat acidic soils very well. Stretching of shoots and weak flowering is possible. Before planting, lime the flower bed well. Dolomite flour is suitable for softening acidity and improving soil.
A site to choose for a Chinese carnation is better than a warm one. She does not like winds and drafts. In a calm, flower buds will be larger.
Before sowing a Chinese carnation or planting ready-made seedlings in the ground, you need to fertilize. Humus will do. As the peduncles grow and form, you can continue to feed them with mineral fertilizers.
The cultivation of Chinese carnation comes from seeds. Provided long-term cultivation(while maintaining the mother bush), the plant can be divided and cuttings. But the seed method of reproduction is recognized as the most effective, therefore it is the most popular.
Sowing seeds in open soil
Chinese carnation is not afraid of spring frosts, so it can be sown directly into the ground in early May. At the same time, there is no need to make any shelters - frosts down to -5 ° C, even on the soil, the seeds will be transferred calmly. This will even serve as an additional cold stratification for them. Usually sown in an open nursery, followed by transplanting grown seedlings into flower beds.
- If there is a danger of waterlogging, remove 25 cm of soil from the future flower bed, put drainage ( broken brick, pebbles) cover with soil. This makeshift drainage layer will be enough to drain excess water from the plant roots.
- Before planting, fertilizers are not applied - this is done either in the fall (humus), or two weeks before sowing (nitrophoska).
- The soil in the flower bed must be well loosened and moistened.
- Prepare rows in the ground. A distance of at least ten centimeters must be observed between the rows.
- The seeds are sown a centimeter apart. The depth is also one centimeter.
- Sowing is covered with loose soil. Can be covered with a small layer of vermiculite.
- It is not necessary to cover the crops, but on the seventh day, when the sprouts should begin to hatch, if the temperature continues to drop at night, they must be covered.
By the way! The optimum temperature for germination of Chinese carnation seeds is + 16 ° C. Too hot weather will make her stretch out.
After four pairs of leaves, you can make a flower bed planting, pinching, at the same time, the top pair. So the plants will bush better and form more flower stalks.
Growing carnation seedlings in an apartment
Seedling is always safer. Although you have to tinker with seedlings, many people prefer Chinese carnations, in order to avoid weather and other surprises, to grow seedlings. Sowing seeds can start in March.
Video - Picking seedlings
How to care for a Chinese carnation
In care, the plant is so unpretentious that even a debutant florist can easily carry it out.
Watering Chinese cloves is rarely necessary. She does not like excess water - this is worth remembering and never flood the plants. During dry periods - twice a week. In the normal season - once a week, not more often.
It is imperative to feed Chinese carnations. If initially the soil was fertile during planting and organic matter was introduced, you can start feeding one month after sowing or two weeks after planting the seedlings with regularity every 20 days. If the soil is not very fertile, a week after planting, the first feeding follows, and then - 2-3 times a month.
Chinese carnations need to be fed, like the rest flowering plants, alternating organic matter with mineral components. For successful flowering necessarily high potassium content. A nitrophoska will do. If you buy complex complexes, make sure that fertilizers for Chinese cloves do not contain chlorine.
Advice! Always apply top dressing after watering. The procedure, if the soil under the plants is not mulched, should be accompanied by loosening.
It is imperative to remove all stems with faded buds - they can rot and cause illness of the entire bush.
Chinese carnation can be sick with rust, root rot, spotting, fusarium and septoria. Also, young buds and leaves are damaged by aphids and spider mites. The damage is removed, the plant is treated with an insecticide. You can use Bordeaux liquid for prevention.
Perennial Chinese carnation overwinters normally in our climate. In late autumn, all stems should be cut, leaving about 10 cm above the soil. Then spud the bushes, mulch with sawdust, foliage or peat, cover with spunbond. In the spring, you can open the carnation as early as April.