Carnation Flower Care Methods and Precautions

1. Growing temperature

The suitable growing temperature for potted carnation flowers is 15-20°C.

2. Timely removal of the terminal bud

When the seedling grows to 15 cm tall, the terminal bud needs to be removed. Many people do not know why this is done, but it is actually to speed up branching in the carnation flower; however, afterward you should also pay attention to timely clearing of axillary buds, otherwise it will lead to too many branches, dispersing nutrients and causing the flowers to become smaller.

3. Timely clearing of surrounding weeds

In order to reduce the loss of nutrients, surrounding weeds should be cleared promptly, so that strongly competitive weeds do not compete with the carnation flower for nutrients.

4. Light requirements

During the growing period, ensure sufficient sunlight and place the flowerpot outdoors in full sun. In summer, mainly use scattered light and avoid exposure to fierce sun. When the temperature is higher, provide appropriate shading and cooling.

5. Planting

Prepare the potting soil and apply sufficient base fertilizer. Carnations are generally planted at the end of August, with 5-6 seeds per pot (to avoid failure to sprout). After sowing, when 1-2 leaves have grown, thin the seedlings. When 3-4 leaves have grown, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, space each plant about 5 apart, with 3 plants per pot, and water after planting.

Although the flowers of carnation are small, carnation flowers have other wonderful uses. Carnation has the ability to absorb sulfur dioxide and chlorides, and can be planted anywhere with similar gases. Not only can their flowers be enjoyed, they are also good for people's health.

Carnation Flower Cultivation Methods

Carnation flowers require soil that is well drained, rich in humus, good at retaining fertilizer, and slightly alkaline clayey soil. A culture soil can be mixed from 6 parts garden soil, 2 parts compost, and 2 parts sandy soil.

Ensure 6-8 hours of light every day. In midsummer, carnation flowers are in a semi-dormant state, and at this time care should be taken to avoid exposure to fierce sun. The potting soil must not become waterlogged, otherwise root rot easily occurs.

Carnation flowers like fertilizer. Before planting, apply a sufficient amount of baked fertilizer and bone meal. During the growing period, continue to apply liquid fertilizer. Generally, apply once every 10 days or so with fully decomposed dilute fertilizer water, and apply one topdressing after harvesting flowers.

Carnation grows vigorously and is relatively tolerant of drought. In rainy and overly wet areas, the soil easily becomes compacted, and the root system develops abnormally due to poor ventilation, so during the rainy season pay attention to loosening the soil and draining water. Apart from timely watering during the peak growing and flowering seasons, at ordinary times water less, just enough to keep the soil moist.

The suitable growing temperature for carnation is 15-20°C. In winter it should be placed in a greenhouse, with the temperature kept above 12°C. The air humidity should preferably be kept at around 75%. Appropriately spraying water before flowering to adjust humidity can prevent the flower buds from splitting open early.

Carnation flowers can bloom again after pruning. If you want more flowers, you can pinch off the growing tips to make them branch more, and you must promptly remove axillary buds to reduce nutrient consumption.

Common diseases of carnation flowers include calyx rot, rust, gray mold, bud rot, and root rot. Zineb can be used to control calyx rot, and oxycarboxin to control rust. To control other diseases, use zineb, carbendazim, or captan for soil treatment before planting and cuttings. When harmed by red spider mites or aphids, generally use a 40% dimethoate emulsion at 1000 times dilution to kill them.

Carnation Flower Cultivation Methods

Carnation is also called Chinese carnation, Luoyang carnation, stone chrysanthemum, embroidered bamboo, and clove pink. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Dianthus in the family Caryophyllaceae, and one of China's traditional famous flowers. It is cold-tolerant but not tolerant of severe heat, and likes sunny, high, dry, well-ventilated, and well-drained fertile loam.

Potted carnations require sufficient base fertilizer, with 2-3 plants per pot. When the seedlings grow to 15 cm tall, remove the terminal bud to promote branching, and afterward pay attention to appropriately removing axillary buds; otherwise, too many branches will disperse nutrients and make the flowers small. Appropriately removing axillary buds concentrates nutrients and can promote large and brightly colored flowers.

During the growing period, it should be placed in a sunny, well-ventilated place for care, keep the potting soil moist, and apply fully decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer once about every 10 days. If there is too much rain in summer, pay attention to drainage and loosening the soil. Carnations easily hybridize, so those saving seeds need to plant them in isolation. Before flowering, promptly remove some flower buds in the leaf axils, mainly to ensure that the terminal flower buds bloom. In winter, water less; if the temperature is kept at 5-8 degrees, they will bloom continuously through winter and spring.

Carnation flowers are generally propagated by sowing and cuttings. For propagation methods, see: http://www.yuhuagu.com/fanzhi/2011/1114/1860.html