Possibly the most popular decorative flowering plant on balconies and patios. And is that the carnation It is a marvel: it produces very brightly colored petals every season, and it also does so for several months of the year (if the climate is favorable for it, of course).
And if that seems little to you, tell you that it is quite resistant to the cold and does not usually have pest or disease problems. Although yes: to be really well it is necessary to know what your basic care issomething that I will tell you next.
Origin and characteristics
The Dianthus, genus to which the carnation belongs, are herbaceous or shrubby plants native to Europe and Asia above all, but they also live in North Africa, and there is even a species, the dianthus repensfound in the arctic area of North America. They are popularly known as keys or carnations.
They are characterized by having opposite, linear, gray-green, glaucous or blue-green leaves. The flowers are composed of five petals, hot pink to pale pink, or white, and are usually aromatic.
The main species are:
- bearded dianthus: known as the poet’s carnation, Japanese carnation, flowerpot, corsage carnation, manutisa or cent en rama, it is a perennial herb cultivated as a biennial that reaches between 30 and 75cm in height. Its flowers are white, pink, red, violet or purple.
- Dianthus caryophyllus: known as carnation or carnation, it is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 1 meter. The flowers it produces are red or pink.
- Dianthus chinensis: known as carnation or Chinese carnation, it is a perennial herb that reaches between 30 and 50 centimeters in height. The flowers are red, pink or white.
- Dianthus deltoides: it is a lively herb (it lives for several years) that reaches between 15 and 30cm in height, thus being one of the smallest of the genus. Its flowers are pink.
How do you care for the carnation?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
Location
Earth
As it can be in a pot as in the garden, the soil will be different:
- Flower pot: universal growing medium is used (you can get it here!). Another option is to mix 60% black peat + 30% perlite + 10% worm castings.
- the garden: grows in soils from slightly acidic to calcareous, pH between 6,5 and 7,5. In addition, it must have very good drainage.
Irrigation
The Carnation has high water needsbut beware, this does not mean that the substrate or soil must be permanently moist, but that it will be necessary to water often but with control. Excess moisture is very harmful to its roots, because if that situation were to last for a long time, they would rot.
So to prevent this from happening, what I advise you to do is use a digital humidity meter or insert a thin wooden stick to the bottom. The first one will tell you instantly how wet (or dry) the soil that has come into contact with it is, and the second when you extract it, you will see if a lot of soil has adhered to it -in which case you will not water- or little.
And if you still have doubts, I will tell you how often I water it (I live in an area with a Mediterranean climate, temperatures from 38ºC to the rare -1’5ºC, and very little rainfall, 350mm): during the summer I water every 1- 2 days, I even usually leave a plate under it since the soil dries up very quickly; the rest of the year I water less, every 4 or 5 days.
If you live in an area with a similar climate, you can do the same as me; but if it is colder or warmer you will have to adjust the frequency to those conditions .
Subscriber
Must be paid from early spring to early fallbeing able to use chemical fertilizers for flowering plants, or organic fertilizers such as guano (liquid). In any case, follow the instructions specified on the packaging.
Multiplication
The Carnation multiplies by seeds and cuttings in spring. Let’s see how:
Seeds
The way to proceed is as follows:
- First, a seedling tray (like this one) is filled with universal growing medium.
- Then, it is watered conscientiously and a maximum of two seeds are placed in each alveolus.
- Afterwards, they are covered with a thin layer of substrate.
- It is then watered again, this time with a sprayer.
- Finally, the seedbed is placed outside, in semi-shade.
They will germinate in 2-3 weeks.
Cuttings
Cuttings of about 10cm in length are cutthe base is impregnated with homemade rooting agents, and finally they are planted in pots with a mixture of 75% perlite with 25% black peat. Thus, they will root in about 3 weeks.
Pruning
More than I could, what is done is pinching so that it has a more compact shape and, also, a greater number of flowers. First 15-20 days after planting it in the ground or in a new pot above the fourth, fifth or sixth node, and second 30-50 days later above the third node.
Pests
Does not usually havealthough if the growing conditions are not the most suitable, the carnation can be affected by:
- Red spider (see plug)
- tortrix
- Trips (see plug)
- Aphids (see plug)
- Miners
- Nematodes
They can be fought with diatomaceous earth o potassium soap.
Diseases
It is vulnerable to the following:
- Mushrooms: roya, fusarium, would alternate, botrytis. It is treated with fungicides.
- Bacteria: Pseudomonas andropogonis. Cut out the affected parts.
- Virus: carnation mottling virus (CERV and CarMV), and carnation vein mosaic virus (CVMV). Cut out the affected parts.
Rusticity
The carnation is a herb that, in general and experience, resists weak frosts of up to -2ºC without being damaged.
What uses does it have?
It is used as an ornamental plantusually in groups, but it looks great as a single potted plant on the table for example. It is also often used as a cut flower, although it must be said that it does not last as long as others.
What did you think of the Dianthus?