Carnation, Known as the Mother's Flower: Characteristics and Care Guide

Carnation, also known as clove pink, is a perennial herbaceous flower of the genus Dianthus in the family Caryophyllaceae, and it is also one of the most widely used cut flowers in the world. It comes in a rich range of colors and has a fairly long flowering period, and it is often associated with Mother's Day, so many people regard it as a flower for expressing gratitude to their mothers.

Carnations have a compact plant form, upright stems, and slender leaves. The flowers open singly or in clusters, and the petal edges often have a serrated, wavy look. Common flower colors include red, pink, white, yellow, and various bicolors, and some varieties also give off a light fragrance. According to flower form and use, they can be divided into two types: standard and spray. The former has one flower per stem and larger blooms, while the latter has multiple flowers per stem and is often used as a filler flower material.

For care, carnations like a sunny, well-ventilated environment and prefer a cool climate; they are afraid of high temperature and high humidity. Watering should follow the principle of letting the soil dry before watering again, avoiding long-term waterlogging in the pot soil, which can cause root rot. During the growth and flowering period, a moderate supplement of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can help produce abundant blooms. If used as cut flowers in a vase, you can cut the stems at an angle and place them in clean water, change the water frequently, and keep them away from high temperatures to enjoy them for longer.

In terms of application value, carnations are not only an important cut flower material, widely used in bouquets, flower baskets, and floral arrangements, but are also suitable for potted display on balconies and in courtyards. When selecting them, look for plants with plump buds, straight stems, and disease-free leaves; such flowers keep longer and look better for longer.