Carnations ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips and varieties

Planting carnations correctly

With it preferred Cloves Quickly take root in the garden, carefully prepare the soil. Thorough weeding is just as important as deep raking and the removal of roots or stones. Soil additives such as compost, bark humus, leaf earth, vital lime and Quartz sand(€ 14.90 at Amazon *) compensate for minor shortcomings. In the end, the substrate should be humus-free, well-drained and calcareous. This is how the planting continues:

Place the potted flower with the root ball in water
Dig small pits at a distance of 20-30 cm

Create a drainage on the sole with grit, potsherds or gravel
Pot the soaked plant, insert in the middle up to the lower pair of leaves and water

Care tips

If carnations find the optimal framework conditions as a result of professional planting, care is limited to the following measures:

Water moderately when it is dry, without watering the flowers
From May to July, fertilize organically or in liquid form every 2 weeks
Cut dead flowers after the first bloom
Cut back close to the ground in spring before fresh shoots

Provide the flower with light winter protection in rough locations and in the planter. A layer of brushwood, leaves or pine fronds is possible in the bed. Wrap a large bucket with jute tape or bubble wrap. It is better to move small pots into the light, frost-free winter quarters.

Which location is suitable?

Carnations thrive in all their splendor in the sunny, warm and air-bathed location. If the soil is humic, calcareous and well-drained, the flowers will develop dense flower pads over time. On the other hand, avoid a location with partially shaded or even shady light conditions and permanently moist, nutrient-rich soil. Fungal diseases and other health problems are then inevitable.

The correct planting distance

For the multi-faceted carnation genus, no universal plant spacing can be given. Instead, the selected type of flower defines the ideal distance to the neighbors. For the well-known beard carnation, a distance of 30 cm applies, while the delicate Pentecostal carnation can cope with 15-20 cm.

What soil does the plant need?

The majority of carnations prefer a calcareous, rather poor and sandy-dry soil. Too abundant supply of nutrients affects both the abundance of flowers and the resistance to diseases and pests. The following special features must be taken into account within the wide range of genres:

Mustard: all varieties of this flower prefer fresh, moist, loamy soil
Heather carnation: the plant is the only one that does not tolerate lime, but thrives in acidic soil
Carthusian carnation: the flowers reach their optimum in the sandy soil of the rock garden
Carnation: the lush flower feels particularly good in moist soil

What is the best time to plant?

Do not put the flowers outdoors until mid-May at the earliest, so that their tender shoots are not carried away prematurely by belated ground frosts. This applies equally to pre-purchased and pre-pulled carnations. This date is also relevant for direct sowing of the biennial species and varieties.

When is the flowering time?

The central flowering period of carnations extends from June to September. If you combine the flowers with spring carnations, you can look forward to the filigree blossoms as early as April. Most species and varieties of this perennial plant have the potential to re-bloom. If you take the time to cut off the withered flowers after the first bloom, a second bloom will follow within a few weeks.
Continue reading

Cut the cloves correctly

When the carnations have finished their first flower pile in summer, cut off the withered flowers. In this way, the plant does not invest its energy in the growth of seed heads, but instead develops a lush after-bloom. If the plant is then allowed to multiply on its own by seeding, leave the withered flowers in the bed. Together with the evergreen foliage, the ground-level pruning takes place at the latest in spring to make room for the fresh budding.

As a cut flower for the vase, carnations stay fresh for up to 3 weeks if you cut the stems 1-2 cm above the ground in the early morning and change the water daily.
Continue reading

Watering the cloves

Carnations love an alternatingly moist substrate. This claim implies that they do not want to be bothered by drought stress or waterlogging. Therefore, always water after a thumb test when the soil has dried. In the bucket, this maintenance is required at shorter intervals than outdoors, where the natural rainfall covers a large part of the water requirement.

Fertilize the cloves properly

As a weak eater, the graceful flower rarely requires additional nutrients. Fertilize In the bed from May to July every 2 weeks with compost and in the bucket with diluted liquid fertilizer. Alternatively, you can administer one once in early summer Slow release fertilizer for flowering plants.

Overwinter

Carnations are naturally hardy in winter. Since this attribute is different in the countless varieties, we recommend the following precautions for safe wintering in the bed and planter in case of doubt:

Before the first frost, cover flowers in the bed with coniferous twigs or leaves
Wrap the plant in the bucket with bubble wrap and place it on wood
Warm the substrate with a layer of wood wool, leaves or straw

Above all, consider the threat of drought stress when there is a clear frost. If there is no snow, water the plant on frost-free days. Fertilizer is not given from August to April.
Continue reading

Propagate cloves

The following two methods of propagating carnations have proven themselves in the hobby garden for generations:

Cuttings

In summer, cut off 10 cm long, non-flowering shoots below a leaf knot. Defoliate the lower part so that at least the upper pair of leaves remains. After small Growing pots(€ 16.68 at Amazon *) have been filled with peat sand or pricking soil, insert two thirds of each clove cuttings and pour on. In the half-shady, warm window seat, care for the young plants while they are rooting in order to plant them out next May.

division

In early spring or late summer, dig up the plant, divide the root ball into two or more segments with at least 2 shoots. Planted in the new location, regularly watered and pampered with compost, the flowers bloom in their usual splendor from the following season.

Carnations in the pot

In the pot, the flower captivates with its nostalgic flair on the balcony and as a houseplant on the sunny windowsill. Add drainage under the substrate to prevent damaging waterlogging. If the earth feels dry in the morning, pour tap water at room temperature. The flower in the pot is fertilized with liquid fertilizer every 14 days from May to July. If you clean dead flower heads regularly, the flowering time will be extended by many days.

Carnations do not bloom

Do not be surprised if a sown carnation does not flower in the year of planting. Mostly it is a biennial plant. In the first season, the plant is busy developing a root system and dense foliage. Just in time for the beginning of the next growing season, you can look forward to the first flower pile.

Which are the most beautiful types of carnations?

It is not at all easy to discover the ideal carnations for your own green kingdom among the more than 27,000 enchanting varieties. Knowing the most popular types makes the agony of choice noticeably easier:

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus): perennial, multiple inflorescences, height 40-80 cm, flowering period June to September
Pentecost Carnation (Dianthus gratianopolitanus): persistent, single flowers, height 5-15 cm, flowering period May to July
Beard Carnation (Dianthus barbatus): biennial, multi-flowered, height 30-50 cm, flowering period June to August / September
Sand carnation (Dianthus arenarius): single flowers, finely pinnate, height 10-20 cm, flowering period July to September
Carthusian carnation (Dianthus carthusianorum): persistent, 5-7 flowers per head, height 15-45 cm, flowering period June to September
Heather carnation (Dianthus deltoides): perennial, branched, bushy, height 10-40 cm, flowering period June to September
Emperor Carnation (Dianthus chinensis): persistent, branched, height 30-60 cm, flowering period May to September
Feather carnation (Dianthus plumarius): cushion-forming, 1-5 flowers per stem, growth height 20-30 cm, flowering period April to July

As Flower of the Year, the heather carnation has rightly established itself as an outstanding plant. In addition, the flowers in Germany are under nature protection. Incidentally, the well-known cloves do not belong to this genus, but belong to the myrtle family.

How do I care for carnations after flowering?

When it comes to carnations, don't be satisfied with a single pile of flowers. If you cut off the withered flower stalks in summer and apply a dose of fertilizer to the soil, a splendid second bloom will appear within a short time. If you do not want the plant to self-sow, cut the stems again immediately after the second flowering. The evergreen foliage adorns the garden during the cold season so that it can be cut close to the ground in time for the new budding in spring.

Trivia

In the labor movement, the red carnation not only serves as a distinguishing mark in Germany, but worldwide to this day. Socialist parties have been using the symbolic flower since the end of the 19th century. Century as part of their logo. The students of the venerable University of Oxford wear a white carnation for their first exam, in the further course rose-colored flowers in order to get to the final exam with a red carnation decorate.

Nice varieties

Mash snow: charming, white-filled feather carnation with a seductive scent; Growth height 10-25 cm
Düsseldorf pride: purple flowers Carnation, ideally suited for the gravel bed and grave planting; Growth height 10-20 cm
Nigrescens: impressive beard carnation with dark red, velvety flowers and nostalgic flair, height 35 cm
Whatfield Gem: white-pink double, intensely fragrant Pentecostal carnation with gray-green foliage, height 10-15 cm