When is the best time to sow Dianthus barbatus? Detailed planting methods and precautions

Dianthus barbatus, also known as bearded pink, Sweet William, and ten-flower brocade, has extremely bright and gorgeous flowers and great ornamental value. Its roots and herbage can be used as medicinal material, with the effects of clearing heat, promoting urination, and breaking blood to promote menstruation. It is deeply loved by many people, so when is the best time to sow Dianthus barbatus? Below is a detailed explanation of the planting methods and precautions!

I. When is the best time to sow Dianthus barbatus? The sowing methods are as follows!

1. The propagation time for sowing Dianthus barbatus can be in both spring and autumn. The best sowing season is outdoor sowing in autumn from September to October. The suitable germination temperature is 10-20°C. Dianthus barbatus seedlings need a month and a half of low-temperature vernalization before they can differentiate flower buds, so sowing in spring will not produce flowers in the same year, only leaves, and they will not bloom until early summer of the following year. Before frost, it is best for the seedlings to grow to 2-3 cm.

2. Although sowing in winter can create a germination temperature, many flower lovers do not have abundant light at home, which may cause seedlings to grow leggy, so when sowing Dianthus barbatus, flower lovers can consider temperature, light, and later care comprehensively.

3. Sowing methods for Dianthus barbatus:

(1) For field sowing, sow 200 seeds per sq m. If producing seedlings, move them elsewhere after they become seedlings, and the rate can be doubled, that is, 400 seeds per sq m; for sowing and raising seedlings in a greenhouse, it can be increased to 600 seeds per sq m. If the plug tray seedling method is used, a 108-cell plug tray is suitable.

(2) For field sowing, garden soil is sufficient; any soil that is not too sticky will do. For plug tray seedling raising, peat soil, sand, and vermiculite can be mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio to make a composite substrate. There is no need for special pest control, and it will not cause major damage.

II. Four steps for planting Dianthus barbatus

1. Soil selection

Dianthus barbatus requires fertile, loose, well-drained loam or sandy loam containing lime, and it tolerates alkaline soil relatively well. A culture soil mixed with 6 parts garden soil, 2 parts compost, and 2 parts sandy soil can be used.

2. Watering

During the growth and development period, it is best to keep the pot soil moist for Dianthus. If watered too much, it is prone to root rot.

3. Sunlight

During the growth period, Dianthus requires sufficient light and should be placed in a sunny place. In summer, scattered light is suitable, avoiding exposure to strong sunlight. When the temperature is high, shade and cool it down.

4. Temperature

The suitable growth temperature for Dianthus is 15-20°C. In winter, it should be placed in a greenhouse, with the temperature kept above 12°C.

III. Three major precautions for planting Dianthus barbatus

1. Watering should be reasonable

Dianthus barbatus actually does not have a high demand for water. In spring and autumn, when the weather is relatively dry, it can be watered appropriately more. In summer, when the weather is hot and water evaporates quickly, it needs frequent watering. However, because there is too much rain during the plum rain season, attention should still be paid to timely drainage and loosening the soil. In addition, in the severe cold of winter, to avoid frost damage, watering must be reduced.

2. Fertilization should be appropriate

Dianthus barbatus is often grown in pots as an annual or biennial plant, so sufficient base fertilizer must be applied when planting. As the plant grows, its nutrient demand becomes greater during the growth period. At this time, it should be fertilized once every 10 days, and generally fully decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer is enough.

3. Pruning should be timely

During the growth period, Dianthus barbatus grows very quickly, so timely pruning is needed at this time. Cut off excess branches, terminal buds, axillary buds, and flower buds in leaf axils, so as to ensure sufficient and concentrated nutrients for Dianthus barbatus, and only then can the flowers it produces be large and brightly colored.