Reproduction of carnation
Seeds are a quick way to get a beautiful plant. The propagation option by cuttings is suitable for those who want to have a perennial carnation of a certain color on their site.
The essence of the procedure is simple:
- at the beginning of summer, choose the strongest among the stems in the bush;
- cut them off at an angle of 45 degrees;
- peel the bottom (3-4 cm) of the leaves;
- plant in well-moistened potting soil or first place in a glass of water until roots appear;
- fertilize and water just like an adult plant.
Cuttings should gain enough strength in one season to resemble the mother plant.
Another breeding option for a perennial plant is dividing the mother bush. From a large plant, you can separate parts of the stems along with the roots. This option can be used at the beginning of summer, but not in extreme heat, so as not to cause the death of both the seedlings themselves and the mother plant.
Carnation care in flower beds
Despite the unpretentiousness of this plant, it still needs some care.
Watering is one of the important points. For cloves, it should be moderate.
Important! This plant tolerates light drought better than excessive waterlogging of the roots. Also, for abundant and prolonged flowering, you should regularly feed with mineral fertilizers.
It is better not to use organic fertilizing, only the use of compost in limited quantities is permissible
Also, for abundant and prolonged flowering, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers should be regularly carried out. It is better not to use organic fertilizing, only the use of compost in limited quantities is permissible.
Some species, such as perennial bush carnations, require support and a garter. The fragile shoots can break under the weight of the inflorescences, so they should be carefully tied to a support. It is better not to tighten the fastening tightly so as not to damage the stems.
Garden carnation in flowerpots
Types and varieties of perennial carnations: photo and description of flowers
Many types of flowering carnation plant are known, which are used in landscape design, are grown in gardens and even on the windowsills of apartments. This popular plant, attractive and not picky to care for, has more than 300 species and varieties of the carnation flower. However, today there are many more of them, since a wide variety of hybrids are used in decorative floriculture. In culture, both annual and perennial plants are used.
The following types of carnation flowers have become widespread:
Turkish carnation, or bearded;
carnation remontant, or Dutch large-flowered greenhouse;
perennial garden carnation, or Shabo;
perennial field carnation; pinnate carnation
alpine carnation, lush carnation.
Turkish carnation
Turkish carnation or bearded carnation (Dianthus barbatus L.) is a garden herb that is used as a biennial crop. The plant reaches a height of 30-60 cm, but this species can also be represented by lower bushes, which are called dwarf. The flowers of the Turkish carnation are collected in beautiful inflorescences with a diameter of 10-15 cm. The flowers can be smooth or velvety. The color gamut is wide enough - from white to dark red. There are also such varieties of Turkish carnations, which are a mixture of several colors - as a result, beautiful multicolored specimens are obtained.
Dianthus barbatus L. is a biennial plant, and it begins to bloom only in the second year.Regarding the care and cultivation of this biennial carnation, it is not at all capricious and does not require much attention to itself - absolutely any fertilizers are suitable, and this variety tolerates cold winters quite easily. However, watering the plant should be taken responsibly - Dianthus barbatus L. does not like moisture stagnation, which often forms in the roots, which can lead to their decay.
Landing rules
Carnation is an unpretentious plant and does not require much attention. But nevertheless, you need to know some of the features of growing so that the flowering is prolonged, and the plant does not hurt.
Site and soil selection
- Almost all species and varieties grow well in sunny areas. If you plant a flower on the shady side of the site or in a swampy and damp area, then flowering can not wait at all.
- At noon, when the sun is too strong, it is advisable to shade the plants. If you have dwarf varieties planted in small containers, then the scorching sun will dry out the soil, so it is better to find a place with diffused lighting.
- The best soil for cloves will be peat, sandy loam and loamy types. The acidity level should be neutral.
- If the acidity has a high pH, then it will be necessary to liming the soil, add lime or dolomite flour. Add peat, river sand, vermiculite, perlite and sphagnum moss to make the soil more airy and lighter.
- Cloves do not like moisture stagnation, and grows poorly next to moisture-loving plants.
Landing dates
Seeds in open ground can be planted in March, when the air temperature warms up to +14 - 15 degrees. After planting, the soil is covered with agrofibre or foil. When the thermometer rises to +18, then the shelter can be removed.
Preparation of planting material
- Many varieties are grown by seedlings. In the third decade of February and the first weeks of March, seeds are planted. Soak them 24 hours in advance.
- Then they are planted in fertile, light and loose soil. The seeds are simply laid out on wet loamy soil, and lightly sprinkled with sand on top.
- Cover the containers with glass or foil and keep them in the dark at a temperature of +17 - 20 degrees.
- After 7 days, the seeds hatch, and the first shoots appear. After that, the containers are transferred to a place with diffused lighting, and the shelter is removed.
- When the sprouts get stronger, after 3 - 4 weeks they dive, and then they are transferred to a street greenhouse. It is required to moderately moisten the soil. Experienced gardeners recommend pinching the upper parts of the plant so that the stem becomes stronger, the plant grows, and the root system gains strength.
Landing
Dig holes first. Depending on the variety and type, make the gap between them at least 15 - 30 cm. The depth is done depending on the type of root system. Mix the top of the soil with sand or compost. After planting, it is necessary to water the soil and loosen it periodically.
Peculiarities
Dianthus chinensis or Chinese carnation is a perennial herbaceous plant, widespread in Asia. It has been used in cultural breeding since 1702, thanks to which the variety of varieties and hybrids can amaze even an experienced gardener. Modern breeding trends are mainly aimed at obtaining more compact bushes, improving the duration of flowering, expanding the color range. In Russia, this species is grown as an annual or a plant with a two-year growing cycle.
What does a Chinese carnation look like? The description of the plant allows you to get a fairly complete picture of its features. Chinese carnation is characterized by the presence of undeveloped roots - they begin to grow and deepen from the second year. When grown in the form of an annual, it will be simply impossible to achieve a different result.
The height of the Chinese carnation reaches 10-50 cm, depending on the variety and type.Flowers look especially attractive, on the petals of which this species has characteristic, recognizable stripes of burgundy color. Carnations have refined, narrow leaves, pointed at the ends. In some varieties, they curl at the ends.
By the type of inflorescence, Chinese carnations are divided into the following:
- simple - with a five-lobed rim and a serrated edge;
- terry - consist of multiple connections of petals;
- semi-double.
The color of the species is diverse, largely due to painstaking breeding work. White, pink, blue, lilac, lilac, red monochromatic varieties are complemented by two-color ones, in which the middle or edge of the petal is contrasting. The diameter of the cup ranges from 1 to 4 cm
Seed material has an elongated shape, a fragile shell that can be easily damaged if handled carelessly
Diseases and pests
Garden carnation is not very susceptible to disease, but the occurrence of infection is favored by very high humidity, fluctuations in air temperature, and excess nitrogen. If weeds are not eliminated, they will become objects for the distribution of fungal spores, viral infections, and bacterial rot. Symptoms of a fungal disease: the appearance on the leaves, at first light, later - brown specks with a scarlet border. The plantings are treated with the fungicides Fundazol or Topaz.
Carnation pests - spider mites - cover the lower part of the leaves with a thin net. The invasion of thrips manifests itself as silvery-white spots on the leaves and flower buds. Aphids suck sap from the most delicate parts of plants; they become pale grassy, often covered with mucus. They treat parasites with biological insecticides: Fitoverm, Vertimek. Can be sprayed with solutions of Aktara and Actellik preparations.
