Carnation Cutting Propagation Methods and Watering Tips
Cutting is a common propagation method for many plants. Through cuttings, plants can be quickly replicated and established with less loss and faster rooting, which is very beneficial for both the mother plant and the offspring. Carnations are also a plant very well suited to cuttings. The specific cutting method is as follows.
Carnation Cutting Propagation Methods
1. Preparing Carnation Cutting Materials
Buy any pot of carnations from the market, as long as the stems still look decent. For example, this pot, although it looks a bit messy, still has some small branches that can be used, just right for cuttings.
2. Selecting Carnation Cuttings
Choose relatively thick and sturdy branches for cutting propagation.
3. Carnation Cutting Method
In just a few words: plant the seedling and water it. Use chopsticks, twigs, scissors, etc. to first push aside the soil layer, then place the seedling in. Then press the soil firm!
How to Water Carnations
1. Right after planting, water once, and water thoroughly.
2. In subsequent care, you can water according to the usual rules.
3. During the most vigorous growth period and when the flowers are in full bloom, increase the amount of watering; at this time you can keep the soil slightly moist.
4. In the hot summer, because temperatures are higher and evaporation is faster, also increase the amount of watering, and you can also keep the soil slightly moist at all times.
Hydroponic Method for Carnations
1. Cutting the stems
Growing them in water is the simplest and easiest method to succeed with. It uses the flower's regenerative ability: cut a small piece of stem and branch, insert it into water, and place it in a suitable area to let it root into a new flower plant. Cut its branches at a point 35 mm below the node, and the cut should be flat with no cracks. Remove the leaves below the bottle mouth, and leave a certain gap between each flower stem to ensure smooth ventilation. Every year from December to February of the following year is its growth period, and it only needs about 30 days to root.
2. Watering
Before placing it in the bottle, clean it thoroughly. The water should cover half of the roots, leaving part of the roots exposed above the water. If it is a newly grown flower, there are more wounds on the roots, and they rot easily, so change the water frequently, and at the same time wash the bottle and flower roots clean. If it is hot weather, the amount of oxygen in the water will decrease, its respiration will be faster, and the oxygen will quickly be used up, so you must change the water even more frequently, preferably every day, until white roots grow in the water, after which you can gradually reduce the frequency of adding water. If the water in the bottle evaporates by 20% to 30%, you can add water, but do not add too much water; you still need to keep part of the roots exposed above the water surface. In spring and autumn, change the water about once every half month; in winter, change it about once every 20 days.
3. Adding fertilizer
Because it is hydroponic, the fertilizer added will dissolve in the water. Once its ratio exceeds what the flower needs, it will have adverse effects. It is best to buy a special nutrient solution, which is formulated according to the flower's needs in a very scientific ratio.
4. Light
It relatively likes sunlight. If the seedlings have just emerged or the flowers are in full bloom, do not place it under strong light. At other times, there is no need to worry that strong light will harm it.
5. Temperature
It likes cool temperatures. In winter, if the temperature is below 9°C, growth will stop; in summer, if the temperature is above 35°C, it will be damaged. So in summer, cool it down, and in winter, wrap it in plastic film to keep it warm.
Classification of Carnation Varieties
By flowering habit: once-a-season flowering type, four-season flowering type.
By flower size: large-flowered type, small-flowered type.
By cultivation method: open-field cultivation type (single-season flowering), greenhouse cultivation type (can flower continuously).
By cut-flower pruning method: standard type (large-flowered type, one flower per stem), spray type (small-flowered type, multiple flowers per stem).
By different uses: cut-flower varieties, potted varieties.
After carnation cuttings are completed, watering is something that really tests a person's cultivation skills. Besides soil cultivation, carnations can also be grown hydroponically, so the carnation bouquets we buy in the market may also root and survive through hydroponic methods.