Carnations have awed people for generations. Countless breeds have emerged from the wild species, which surpass each other in colour, shape and size. However, in order for the culture to succeed, the special requirements of the location must be taken into account. These differ depending on the variety.

The carnation originally comes from the warm Mediterranean region

Table of Contents

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  1. origin
  2. growth
  3. leaves
  4. blossom
  5. heyday
  6. fruit
  7. use
  8. Is carnation poisonous?
  9. Which location is suitable?
  10. What soil does the plant need?
  11. multiply carnation
  12. sowing
  13. cuttings
  14. The right planting distance
  15. Carnation in the pot
  16. balcony
  17. Water carnation
  18. Fertilize carnations properly
  19. Cut the carnation properly
  20. How do I plant correctly?
  21. hibernate
  22. fungus
  23. pests
  24. sorts

    25. origin

    Carnations are different breeds of a wild species that originally comes from the Mediterranean region. The plants belong to the carnation family and are sometimes referred to as noble carnations. The wild species is known as the country carnation and has the scientific name Dianthus caryophyllus. The carnation plant has been cultivated as an ornamental plant since ancient times. Carnations grow wild in Greece, Italy, Sardinia and Sicily.

    growth

    Country carnations grow as herbaceous plants that are perennial in their natural habitats. The plants are between 40 and 80 centimeters high and develop a spherical to bushy habit. As an ornamental plant, the carnation is usually cultivated as an annual.

    leaves

    The leaves of the noble carnation are arranged opposite. Your leaf blade is entire and long drawn out. The blue-green color of the leaves is striking, creating an aesthetic contrast to the flowers. The leaf shapes of the hybrid vary from the basic shape. Pot carnations often develop broader leaves that appear greener.

    blossom

    Carnations develop multiple flowers on a central stalk that branches into a panicle or appears single. The crown consists of five intensely colored petals with a ragged edge. They are surrounded by four to six sepals. The carnation family develops hermaphroditic flowers that emit a light fragrance.

    heyday

    The flowering times of carnations differ depending on the variety. Carnations bloom between June and September in white, yellow, pink or intense red. Some varieties develop bicolored flowers that are often double and pleasantly scented. The wild species Dianthus caryophyllus develops bright pink to purple petals.

    fruit

    At the end of the flowering period, the flowers turn into capsule fruits containing numerous seeds. As the fruit ripens, the capsule walls dry up and tear open. When the stems are stirred by the wind, the plant scatters its seeds.

    use

    Carnations transform beds and borders into a colorful sea of blossoms. Its growth habit is at its best in sunny places. The special requirements of these plants make them the perfect companions for heather and rock gardens. They adorn terrace slopes and should not be missing in any cottage garden. Some varieties, such as the almost forgotten mountain carnation, are suitable for cultivation in pots or in hanging baskets.(11.99€)

    Is carnation poisonous?

    Dianthus caryophyllus can be cultivated on the balcony without hesitation, even if it belongs to the cat's territory. Carnations are non-toxic to humans and animals. The parts of the plant were used in the past to flavor wine and beer or vinegar and syrup. The flowers are suitable for refining salads, desserts and sauces. They can be candied and used to decorate cakes.

    Which location is suitable?

    Carnations love a spot in full sun. They prove to be problem-free plants in hot and dry locations, with many hybrids relying on wetter conditions. Some varieties should be planted in a sheltered spot, as their shoots break easily. The wild species grows in natural habitats, including on wind-exposed sites.

    What soil does the plant need?

    The noble carnation finds perfect growth conditions on a very loose substrate. It requires high permeability. The rockier and sandy the soil, the better the carnation plant thrives. A slightly nutrient-rich substrate ensures optimal starting conditions. Cultivated forms require slightly more nutrients than the wild species. Mix some compost under the substrate a few weeks before planting so that the soil is enriched but not over-fertilized. The flowering is promoted by adding lime.

    What carnations need:

    • moderately fresh conditions
    • even humidity
    • rather low in nutrients

    multiply carnation

    Country carnations can be propagated by sowing the seeds, provided the varieties bear fruit. F1 series double hybrids do not develop seeds. Hanging cultivated forms are suitable for cutting cuttings.

    sowing

    The seeds can be brought forward between mid-February and early March. Seeds germinate best in nutrient-poor potting soil with consistently moist conditions. At 15 to 18 degrees Celsius, seedlings appear after two to three weeks. When the first pair of leaves sprout, the young plants can be pricked out and cultivated at 12 degrees Celsius. After the last late frosts, the country pink moves into the garden.

    cuttings

    Hanging varieties can be propagated vegetatively via cuttings or supporting shoots. While head cuttings are cut between September and November and overwintered in a seed pot at five to six degrees, the period from January to March is suitable for cutting supporting shoots. In spring, both types of cuttings are grown in a room with temperatures between twelve and 14 degrees Celsius.

    The right planting distance

    Place carnations in the bed, taking into account the maximum growth width. A guideline is a distance of 20 centimeters between the plants. The carnation plants are placed deep enough in the prepared planting hole that the base of the stem is flush with the surface of the earth. Press the substrate down lightly so that the bottom leaves are not covered with soil. Water the carnations to close any gaps in the soil.

    Carnation in the pot

    Self-grown young plants can be placed in a planter with a diameter of twelve centimeters. Pot culture requires a well-drained substrate with good water drainage. Hanging carnations are better suited for container planting. Make sure the soil is evenly moist.

    The ideal vessel:

    • consists of natural materials
    • has drainage holes
    • is larger than the root ball

    balcony

    Like the wild species, carnation hybrids also require an outdoor location. If you cultivate the plants in pots, you should treat them to a sunny spot on the balcony or terrace from spring. The carnation plants need a lot of light. If they are cultivated indoors all year round, the shoots will quickly wither due to a lack of light.

    Water carnation

    Carnations can be left to themselves in the bed. In particularly long dry periods, you should reach for the watering can. Ten liters of water per square meter is enough to keep the plants hydrated. Hanging carnations need more water and prefer higher humidity. Spray the plants regularly and water more often once the top layer of soil has dried.

    Fertilize carnations properly

    Country carnations are fertilized every four to six weeks during the growing season when compost has not been mixed into the substrate in the spring. The fertilizer should be nitrogen-reduced. Use a complete organic fertilizer in ball or stick form. This prevents the soil from being over-fertilized and the plant does not take up too many nutrients.

    Cut the carnation properly

    Regularly remove faded shoots and occasionally pinch off side flowers. As a result, the plant puts more energy into the development of the main flowers. These flowering stems make good cut flowers. Further cutting measures are not necessary.
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    How do I plant correctly?

    Since carnations in beds are often grown as an annual, transplanting is not necessary. You can propagate the plant from seeds or cuttings if you want to enjoy the flowers again next year.

    hibernate

    As a plant of Mediterranean climate regions, the wild form of the carnation does not survive frosty temperatures. Overwintering in buckets is possible. However, transplanting from the field into the tub means stress for the carnations. Therefore, you should cut top cuttings in autumn and overwinter them. During the winter, too much moisture in the substrate is the biggest problem. So make sure you water it sparingly.
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    fungus

    Various fungi can spread to the carnation plants if the site conditions are wrong. Proper care prevents infestation.

    clove blackness

    This disease manifests itself as initially light and later brownish spots on the leaves. They are edged in red and occasionally appear on buds and shoots. Black fungal spores form in the center of the spots.

    damping-off

    If seeds are sown too densely, the seedlings will compete for light and develop unstable stalks. The same goes for seeds grown in very warm conditions and low light. The base of the stem often appears incised and bends slightly. It turns black because various fungal spores settle at the kinks.

    pests

    There are a number of pests that prefer to settle on carnation breeds. They should be fought promptly so that the plant is not damaged too much.

    thrips

    Silvery white or hazel spots on the fresh leaves indicate a thrips infestation. The leaves wither because the sucking insects negatively affect growth.

    aphids

    Aphids occasionally appear on young shoots and leaves when the air is too dry. They leave behind a sticky substance on which rust fungi settle.

    carnation flies

    The larvae of these pests eat through the leaf tissue of fresh leaves, leaving microscopic burrows in their wake. The foliage yellows and slowly dies off.

    spider mites

    These red insects settle on the undersides of leaves, leaving a fine web that becomes visible when sprayed with a fine mist of water. A heavy infestation causes the leaves to become blotchy and later turn yellow.

    tips

    Some carnations are suitable as cut flowers. For a regular and straight growth habit, you should put a stick in the ground when planting and attach the stem to it.

    sorts

    • Grenadine: Perennial carnation, propagated by seed. Flowers white, pink and red with a pleasant scent of cloves. Forms stable stems, up to 40 centimeters high.
    • ikat: Frost-resistant and robust. Flowers speckled pink, blooms from June to September. Up to 50 centimeters high.
    • Chabaud: Biennial perennial. Colorful flowers from July to October. Up to 60 centimeters high.

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Vegetable garden