How to Grow Carnations in Pots and How to Prune Potted Carnations
It is said that carnations are perennial herbaceous flowers, so they can be grown for many years. But many friends cannot keep carnations alive for many years. This involves the question of how to grow carnations in pots. There is another point that is quite important: how should potted carnations be pruned? This is even more closely related to the length of their survival period.
For potted carnations, choose a tall pot with a relatively large inner diameter, and first apply enough base fertilizer containing potassium, calcium, nitrogen and phosphorus at the bottom of the pot. After transplanting, water once a day on sunny days to keep the potting soil moist. This is because carnations are both afraid of waterlogging and intolerant of drought. During the growing period, alternately apply 1 application of diluted urea water, bone meal or sauce residue fertilizer every half a month. It is worth noting that potted carnations should not be given concentrated fertilizer. Ensure 6-8 hours of light every day. In midsummer, carnations are in a semi-dormant state, and at this time care should be taken to avoid exposure to the scorching sun. The potting soil must not be allowed to accumulate water, otherwise the roots are prone to rot. These are the basic requirements for growing carnations.
To encourage carnations to branch, not only making the plant shape of potted carnations more attractive but also making the flowers of potted carnations bloom more brilliantly, it is necessary to prune carnations as needed. The methods are as follows:
1. Remove the top when the plant height is 15-20 cm. Generally keep 6-7 lateral buds on the lower part, then carry out another pinching later, and finally make the plant have 12-14 lateral branches.
2. At the bud stage, keep only one bud at the top of each branch, and remove all the lower axillary lateral buds and lateral buds.
3. The second removal must be carried out before mid-August.
After the above treatment, carnations can have a graceful plant shape and abundant, brightly colored flowers. Generally, after transplanting, if water and fertilizer are suitable, the temperature is appropriate and the light is sufficient, they can bloom within 3 months.
After reading the above care requirements, you might as well compare them with your own method of growing carnations to see whether there are differences. These differences may be exactly the key to whether your carnations survive for a long or short period.