The Latest Detailed Guide to Carnation Cultivation Methods and Precautions
Carnations have upright stems, verdant leaves, beautiful flowers, elegant posture, rich colors, and a pleasant fragrance. When conditions are suitable, they bloom in all four seasons. They are outstanding among cut flower materials. Paired with asparagus fern and other foliage in a vase, they create a delightful contrast and are an excellent choice for decorating interiors. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for carnations!
Carnation Propagation Methods
Carnations can be propagated by cuttings, sowing, tissue culture, and other methods. Conventional propagation is mainly done by cuttings. Cutting propagation is mostly carried out in spring, but can also be done at other times except during the hot summer. The cutting medium can be perlite mixed with peat or charred chaff. For cuttings, it is best to select thick, sturdy side shoots from the middle of the plant with short internodes. When taking cuttings, hold the branch with your hand and pull it downward so that the base of the cutting carries a piece of the main stem cortex, which makes it easier to root. After taking cuttings, they should be planted immediately; the branches and leaves must not be allowed to wilt, otherwise the survival rate will be greatly reduced.
Carnation Cultivation Methods
1. Soil Selection: Soil or medium is the place where plant roots are active. Creating a loose, breathable root-zone environment with a certain capacity for retaining fertilizer and water is crucial for carnation cultivation. Carnations are fibrous-rooted herbaceous flowers, and their roots prefer to grow in loose, fertile soil or medium with good aeration. The best soil for growing carnations is sandy loam. The ideal soil air porosity is about 30 percent. Heavy clay and waterlogged soils are unfavorable for carnation growth and need to be improved; the key is to coordinate the relationship among the solid, liquid, and gas phases in the soil.
2. Temperature Requirements: Temperature has both qualitative and quantitative effects on carnation growth and development, manifested in its influence on growth rate, the morphology and size of flowers, leaves, and stems, cut flower yield, and cut flower longevity. Carnations are cool-loving plants, and the optimal temperature for growth and development is 19-2l°C, with the day-night temperature difference kept within 10°C. If the daytime temperature is too high, carnations exhibit narrow leaves, small flowers, and poor branching. If the nighttime temperature is too high, abnormal responses occur such as weak stems and small flowers despite good flower color. When summer temperatures exceed 350C, or winter temperatures fall below 9°C, growth becomes slow or abnormal, or even stops.
3. Light Requirements: Light is the energy source for plant growth, and carnations have the highest light requirements of any known plant. Except during seedling raising or peak bloom, there is no need to worry about strong light having any harmful effect on carnations. Carnations are also a cumulative long-day plant. The longer the accumulated daylight, the more it promotes flower bud differentiation, thereby advancing flowering and improving flowering uniformity and cut flower yield. Supplemental lighting can not only promote internode elongation and inhibit side shoot growth, but also increase flower diameter and the vividness of flower color.
4. Watering Methods: Carnations are shallow-rooted flowers, and planting depth should not exceed 2 cm. After planting, water thoroughly once, then water thoroughly again when the potting soil becomes dry. Carnations are not tolerant of moisture. Apart from increasing watering during the vigorous growth period, flowering period, and midsummer, watering should generally not be excessive; keeping the soil at a certain moisture level is sufficient. During the flowering period, avoid soil that is too dry or too wet.
5. Fertilization Methods: Carnations are shallow-rooted plants, with roots mainly distributed within the top 20 cm of soil. During cultivation, a sufficient amount of base fertilizer should be applied. Use organic fertilizers such as barnyard manure, compost, and bone meal as base fertilizer to improve the physical properties of the growing soil and enhance its fertility, making it a humus-rich, loose, and fertile loam. Base fertilizer must be composted and decomposed before use. Because carnations have a long growing period, soil nutrients need to be continuously replenished. The principle for topdressing is to apply thin fertilizer frequently. For open-field planting, topdress once every 25-30 days. If the soil's original fertility is not high, the interval between topdressings should be shortened. For potted plants, apply topdressing once every 7-10 days. During the two growth peaks of the plant, the frequency of topdressing can be increased. Fertilizers can include cake fertilizer water, chicken manure water, or alternately applied compound chemical fertilizers.
Carnation Precautions
1. During the vigorous growth periods 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, keeping the potting soil slightly dry.
2. Generally, move plants into the greenhouse around “Frost's Descent.” The most suitable temperature regulation is 10-20°C. To force or delay the flowering period, the temperature can be appropriately raised or lowered. Measures should be taken to reduce humidity in the greenhouse to decrease the occurrence of diseases.
3. The principle for topdressing is to apply thin fertilizer frequently. For potted plants, apply diluted decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 7-10 days.
4. In winter, move indoors and cultivate in a location with ample sunlight and good ventilation. If the temperature is suitable, the flowering period can be extended 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 graceful 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 to supply the terminal bud.