- How often do you need to water carnations?
- When and with what should you fertilize carnations?
- Can you grow cloves in a pot?
- When is the right time to cut the cloves?
- Overwinter cloves properly
- Which pests are commonly found on carnations?
- What diseases can occur in carnations?
Between May and August, carnations form a dense carpet of flowers in numerous different shades. The popular flowering perennials are very easy to care for.
Carnations are very easy to care for plants
How often do you need to water carnations?
Carnations are naturally used to rather dry locations and have adapted their water requirements to them. The plants only need a little water and should therefore only be watered sparingly. However, you must not irrigate the perennials, but only water them directly in the root area. Blossoms and leaves tend to yellow and rot when sprinkled with water.
When and with what should you fertilize carnations?
Carnations thrive best in nutrient-poor, barren soil. Therefore, fertilization should only be done very sparingly. When perennials are planted out, it is usually sufficient to supply them with a commercially available complete fertilizer in the spring. Potted carnations, on the other hand, should be fertilized about every two weeks with a fertilizer for flowering plants.
Can you grow cloves in a pot?
Since carnations are very undemanding, they are ideal for pot culture. Make sure that the plants do not dry out. But they must not be too wet either: good pot drainage and regular but moderate watering are immensely important.
When is the right time to cut the cloves?
Cut off faded inflorescences regularly. Otherwise, cut back close to the ground in early spring, before they sprout again.
Overwinter cloves properly
Many carnation species are only one or two years old and therefore do not really need to be overwintered. Instead, simply leave faded flowers on the stem and allow the plant to self-seed. Otherwise, most perennial carnations (especially the Carthusian carnation) are quite hardy and do not need any additional protection. Place hardy pot carnations in a protected corner on a styrofoam plate (€35.50) and water them occasionally.
Which pests are commonly found on carnations?
Unfortunately, the young shoots in particular are very popular with snails, so you should provide good protection for planted specimens - otherwise your carnation plantations will soon be completely bare.
What diseases can occur in carnations?
Carnations are actually quite resilient, although fungal infestation is not uncommon in unsuitable locations or when they are too wet. In such a case, moving to a sunnier and drier location usually helps.
tips
Perennial types of carnations form fewer and fewer flowers over time and become bare. Prevent this aging process by rejuvenating the affected plants through division.