When is the best season to plant carnations?

Carnation , also known as fragrant pink, is a perennial herb of the Caryophyllaceae family. It has diverse and bright colors and a fragrant smell. It is a very popular ornamental flower . So when is the best season to plant carnations? Let’s learn more about it below.

When is the best season to plant carnations?

Carnations are best planted in spring from March to April. If you miss this time, you can also choose to plant them in autumn from August to September.

How to plant carnations?

1. Soil selection

To plant carnations, you need to prepare clay soil that is well-drained, rich in humus, has good fertilizer retention properties and is slightly alkaline. Generally, you can choose to mix leaf mold, peat soil and perlite to prepare seedling soil.

2. Seed treatment

Select carnation seeds that are growing fully, soak them in a solution of carbendazim for disinfection, take them out after 2 hours, and place them in a cool and ventilated place to dry for later use.

3. Key points for sowing

Choose a suitable seedling pot or tray with water holes at the bottom. Pour seedling soil or flower soil into the seedling pot, gently compact and level the surface. Then spread the carnation seeds evenly in the seedling pot. After sowing, lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of seedling soil or culture soil, the thickness of which is about 2 times that of the seeds.

4. Water and fertilizer management

Generally, after planting carnations, you only need to keep the soil in the pot moist, and start watering after three days. Generally, water once every 3-5 days. During the growing period, you need to water more often, but be careful not to over-water. If water accumulates on rainy days, you must loosen the soil and drain the water. At the same time, during the growth period, it is necessary to continuously apply fertilizer, and liquid fertilizer should be applied three times a month to promote plant growth and provide sufficient nutrients.

5. Lighting control

Carnations are light-loving and can be exposed to sunlight for 6 to 8 hours a day to carry out sufficient photosynthesis and promote growth. However, for seedlings that have just been sown, they should be avoided from exposure to strong sunlight and can be placed in the shade or in a place with scattered light for maintenance.

6. Prune at the right time

After the carnation buds appear, remove all the small buds on the side branches and trim them off. Only keep one flower bud at the top of the main branch to ensure that it absorbs sufficient nutrients and grows healthily.

In general, when planting carnations from seeds, you must master the appropriate time and method. Of course, experienced veterans can also use methods such as cuttings to plant carnations, which can better preserve the excellent characteristics of the parent and bloom earlier.