How to Grow Carnations from Seed? Sowing Time and Propagation Methods Explained

Carnations are fairly common in our daily lives and are an especially beautiful flower. Their stems are upright and straight, their flower shape is elegant and dignified, their colors are rich and varied, and they carry a wave of enchanting fragrance. Whether used as an indoor decoration or given as a gift to express affection, they are quite nice. So do you know how to grow carnations?

How to Grow Carnations from Seed (When to Sow)

1. First, buy good seeds. Carnation seeds are very small and thin, so be careful not to let them blow away.

2. Next, find a flower pot with holes, with good drainage and air permeability. Fill it with fertile soil, and if conditions permit, put some expanded clay pebbles at the bottom to increase drainage. After filling with soil, gently sprinkle the seeds onto the soil.

3. After sowing the seeds, you can sprinkle a thin layer of soil over the surface of the seeds to prevent them from being blown away and to help them take root. Then gently sprinkle some water. Place it in a ventilated, breathable, bright spot that does not receive direct sunlight. Sprinkle water often so the soil does not dry out. After some time, they will sprout.

4. Carnations are very easy to grow. Try not to let them become leggy, otherwise they will not look good. When they grow tall, you can set up a small support for them to prevent them from growing crooked and becoming unsightly.

5. Keep the soil fertile and maintain moisture and sunlight, and then you can enjoy your beautiful carnations.

Carnation Propagation Methods

Carnations are mainly propagated by seed and by cuttings. The suitable temperature for seed sowing and germination is 20°C. Seeds take a relatively long time to germinate, requiring 10~15 days. After sowing, it takes 140~160 days to bloom. The suitable temperature for plant growth is 5~20°C. When the temperature is higher than 30°C, the plant stops growing and may even die. Therefore, in South China, cultivation is best done in winter and spring. When production is intended for blooming at Spring Festival, sowing and cultivation should be carried out from August to early September in a cool region (on high mountains). The potting medium for carnations must have good drainage and be rich in organic matter, and the cultivation environment must have plenty of sunlight. If the temperature is too high, or if light is insufficient, the plant tends to become leggy, with slender branches and a poor plant shape, and it is not easy to flower.

Growth Characteristics of Carnations

Carnations are not a luxurious flower; they have a nature like a mother's. They like a warm, humid, sunny, and well-ventilated environment, and are not tolerant of heat. In summer they enter a semi-dormant state. They are best planted in loose, fertile, slightly acidic soil, and are averse to waterlogging. Their optimum growth temperature is 14°C to 21°C (generally 13°C to 15°C in winter and 18°C to 20°C in summer), and the day-night temperature difference within a single day should be kept below 12°C. If the temperature is too low, growth is slow and they may even fail to bloom; if the temperature is too high, growth is rapid, but the stems are thin and weak and the flowers are also small and thin. If kept continuously under high temperature, the plant will appear in a clustered rosette form, with luxuriant stems and leaves but no flower buds or blooming. If high temperature occurs during the bud stage, cracked buds may also appear.

Precautions for Carnations

1. During the vigorous growth period in spring and autumn, the soil should be kept moist to meet the needs of growth and development. During the high-temperature period in summer, growth is inhibited; at this time, watering should be moderated and ventilation strengthened, and it is best to keep the potting soil slightly dry.

2. Generally around “Frost's Descent,” move them into a greenhouse, with the temperature regulated to 10-20°C, which is most suitable. To force or delay the flowering period, the temperature can be appropriately raised or lowered. Try to reduce the humidity in the greenhouse to reduce the occurrence of diseases.

3. For topdressing, follow the principle of applying thin fertilizer frequently. For potted plants, apply dilute decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 7-10 days.

4. In winter, bring them indoors and cultivate them in a place with plenty of sunlight and good ventilation. If the temperature is suitable, the flowering period can extend to March of the following year.

5. During the seedling stage, pinch the tips 1-2 times to promote branching, so that each plant has about 10 side branches. After pinching, the plant shape is beautiful and flowering is abundant. As the branches grow, supports should also be set up to prevent lodging. During the growth period, promptly remove the side buds and small flower buds produced on each branch, keeping only one flower bud at the top of each branch, so that nutrients are concentrated in supplying the terminal bud.

I believe that when everyone buys carnations, they generally buy seedlings directly or potted plants that are already flowering, or they may directly buy fresh flower bouquets. Very few people buy seeds directly to plant. In fact, if you have the inclination, you can buy seeds and plant them yourself. Not only can you enjoy the planting process, but the cost can also be reduced a lot.