Plant, maintain, multiply, overwinter and more

Plant carnation correctly

You settle a two-year-old in two stages Mustard in the garden. In May, sow the seeds in the seed bed to be planted in their final location in August / September. How to do it right:

• Sow the seeds broadly in the finely crumbly bed in the protected location
• Sieve thinly with substrate, press down lightly and pour with a fine effervescence
• Water regularly and weed consistently every few days
• Peck once over the sixth pair of leaves to achieve bushy branching

If the seedbed is crowded, plant the young carnations at a distance of 20-25 cm in the intended location. Enrich the soil there beforehand with compost or bark humus and a few handfuls Rock flour(€ 12.33 at Amazon *) or Algae lime. Please keep the previous planting depth and water generously.

Care tips

Regular watering and cleaning of withered flowers are essential to successful care. In addition, a starter fertilization with compost and algae lime gets the mustache going. In the pot, the charming flower is happy about liquid fertilizers in June and August every two weeks. In exposed locations, we recommend winter protection in the form of autumn leaves and pine fronds. Please move planters into the bright winter quarters before the first frost.

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Which location is suitable?

The mustard thrives vital and healthy in the sunny location. This applies equally to flowers in beds and pots. Choose a place with loose, humus-rich, nutrient-rich and calcareous soil. Use commercially available substrates as the substrate Potting soil and please enrich it with something Rock flour or algae lime.

What soil does the plant need?

Cottage garden plants are characterized by their preference for fresh, moist, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil. In this regard, the mustard is no exception. In addition, the biennial perennial feels particularly well taken care of when the soil acidity of 7.5 to 8.0 shows a slight tendency in the alkaline direction.

What is the best time to plant?

Two dates are relevant for the proper cultivation of a bearded carnation: The sowing in May / June in the seed bed and planting at the final location by September at the latest. Those who take this sequence to heart for the planting season can look forward to the picturesque flowering of flowers in the following early summer.

When is the flowering time?

The blooming time of a Mustard extends from May / June to August. The two-year-old perennial does not develop its colorful flower dress until the year after sowing and planting. By then, the Dianthus barbatus will develop a basal rosette of leaves that will produce the longed-for inflorescence in the following season. So that the charming summer flower retains its radiance over this long period of time, please cut off withered flowers regularly.

Cut the mustard properly

There are several occasions when you cut the mustard. The following overview gives all the important details:

• During cultivation, peel off the seedlings once over the sixth pair of leaves
• For the early morning vase, cut off the stems with slightly opened buds close to the ground
• Regularly clean out wilted flower umbrellas for constant re-flowering

In regions with mild winter there is a prospect of another flower festival next year. In this case, do not cut the carnation back to the ground until the next spring so that the withered leaves protect the root ball from the rigors of winter.

Pour the sweet carnation

The mustard reacts extremely bad-tempered to drought stress by refusing to flower and letting the leaves droop limply. You should therefore water the summer flower regularly when the soil or substrate has dried on. Early in the morning or in the evening is the best time to pour normal tap water directly onto the root disc.

Fertilize mustard properly

The modest demands of a bearded carnation are expressed not least in the nutrient supply. An organic starter fertilization with compost and horn shavings as well as a handful of algae lime cover the needs in the bed. In the pot and Flower box(€ 149.00 at Amazon *)fertilize Please use a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in June and August or give it once Fertilizer stick(€ 9.82 at Amazon *) with long-term effect in the substrate.

Overwinter

In the year of planting, the carnation goes into winter with a basal rosette of leaves. So that the cold season cannot harm the root ball, we recommend covering with leaves and brushwood for rough locations. Since a Dianthus barbatus does not always stick to the two-year life plan, there are prospects of a further flowering period in regions with mild winter. Do not cut back the carnations in autumn, but again spread a protective layer over the planting site. With a little luck, the flower will sprout one more time. At least she has provided plenty of offspring through self-sowing.

Propagate carnation

The meager choice of propagation methods is characteristic of biennial plants. Only the sowing has a chance of success for a sweet carnation. To do this, collect the ripe, approximately 1 cm large capsule fruits at the end of the flowering period. These contain the valuable seeds, which you should keep in a dark, cool and dry place. In May or June, sow the seeds directly into the bed. At temperatures of 15-18 degrees Celsius, germination begins within 7-14 days.

Mustard does not bloom

Do not struggle with a lack of flowers in the first year. The carnation is designed as a biennial perennial. This property implies that in the year of sowing and planting, a rosette of leaves develops first. This hibernates in order to let the enchanting inflorescence rise in the following season.

Nice varieties

• Nigrescens: well-known carnation, which enchants us with velvety, dark red flowers; Height 35-40 cm
• Oeschberg: The premium variety exudes a nostalgic flair with bright purple flowers; Growth height 40-50 cm
• Scarlet Queen: Royal carnation splendor for the early summer garden and balcony; Growth height 50-60 cm
• Albus: Pure white Dianthus barbatus, which contrasts wonderfully with its colored conspecifics; Growth height 50-60 cm
• Homeland: two-tone classic, the deep red flowers of which are white eye adorns; Growth height 50-60 cm
• Indian carpet: A mix of dainty dwarf varieties, ideal as a Border and potted flower; Height of growth 25 cm