Dianthus

The genus Carnation (Dianthus) unites 300 perennial herbaceous species, some of which are grown as annuals, and others as biennials. Simple or double, sometimes gathered in inflorescences, flowers come in various shapes and colors. Depending on their use, carnations are divided into dwarf (used in rocky or mountain gardens) and curb species with a more developed bush, suitable for flower beds or borders. Alpine carnation (Dianthus alpinus), originally from the Eastern Alps, is a very short (10 cm) plant with linear leaves of intense green color, pink or purple flowers with petals that have a jagged edge and a white core with purple spots. The famous Turkish carnation (D. barbatus) is cultivated as a biennial. Simple or double flowers are collected in compact corymbose inflorescences from white to red, sometimes covered with spots of other tones. In its hybrids, obtained from crossing with Alvud's carnation (D. x atwoodii), inflorescences are rarer, but larger (15-20 cm), richer in color - multi-colored. Garden carnation (D. caryophyllus) includes varieties of complex hybrid origin, cultivated carnations with large and fragrant flowers for cutting have been derived from them. Chinese carnation (D. chinensis, or D. sinensis) originated from East Asia, its pink or lilac simple flowers are collected in loose end corymbose inflorescences. There are many annual and perennial hybrids and garden forms, the most famous of which is 'Bravo' with glossy red flowers. Forgotten carnation (D. neglectus) forms compact gray-green bushes, which in summer (July-August) are covered with flowers, from pale pink to intense creamy color. The pinnate carnation (D. plumarius) of European origin, 30 cm high, has linear gray leaves and simple fringed fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring-summer period from light pink to red tones. A grayish-blue carnation, or caesius (D. caesius), with pink fragrant flowers forms solid gray clumps of bushes 25-30 cm high.

The genus Carnation (Dianthus) unites 300 perennial herbaceous species, some of which are grown as annuals, and others as biennials. Simple or double, sometimes gathered in inflorescences, flowers come in various shapes and colors. Depending on their use, carnations are divided into dwarf (used in rocky or mountain gardens) and curb species with a more developed bush, suitable for flower beds or borders.

Alpine carnation (Dianthus alpinus), originally from the Eastern Alps, is a very short (10 cm) plant with linear leaves of intense green color, pink or purple flowers with petals that have a jagged edge and a white core with purple spots.

The famous Turkish carnation (D. barbatus) is cultivated as a biennial. Simple or double flowers are collected in compact corymbose inflorescences from white to red, sometimes covered with spots of other tones. In its hybrids, obtained from crossing with Alvud's carnation (D. x atwoodii), inflorescences are rarer, but larger (15-20 cm), richer in color - multi-colored.

Garden carnation (D. caryophyllus) includes varieties of complex hybrid origin, cultivated carnations with large and fragrant flowers for cutting have been derived from them.

Chinese carnation (D. chinensis, or D. sinensis) originated from East Asia, its pink or lilac simple flowers are collected in loose end corymbose inflorescences. There are many annual and perennial hybrids and garden forms, the most famous of which is 'Bravo' with glossy red flowers.

Forgotten carnation (D. neglectus) forms compact gray-green bushes, which in summer (July-August) are covered with flowers, from pale pink to intense creamy color.

The pinnate carnation (D. plumarius) of European origin, 30 cm high, has linear gray leaves and simple fringed fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring-summer period from light pink to red tones.

A grayish-blue carnation, or caesius (D. caesius), with pink fragrant flowers forms solid gray clumps of bushes 25-30 cm high.

Cultivation

Carnations are cultivated in flower beds, dwarf varieties can be grown on balconies - in pots and flower girls. For varieties and varieties of rocky gardens, the choice of land is very important: many of them prefer rather loose, well-drained limestone. The potting soil should be light in texture. For planting in the garden, you need fertile loamy or sandy loam soil, well-drained, carefully prepared and seasoned with organic and mineral fertilizers with a high potassium content; pH not lower than 6.5.

Location

Carnations have different requirements, but in general, plants are light-requiring. The usual location is sunny, but can sometimes be planted in shade and partial shade. Plants for flower beds and borders always need full sun.

Temperature

The minimum temperature for a garden carnation is 4 °C, the optimum is 10-20 °C. The temperature of the soil substrate should not fall below 7-8 °C.

Watering

Not too frequent, and it is produced only in summer, during severe drought.

Transplant

Transplanting is done in the spring; usually only young plants that are at an early stage of development are transplanted.

Care

Cloves require little maintenance. It is enough just to remove individual yellowed leaves at the base and wilted flowers.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds (varieties) and cuttings (hybrids). Sowing is carried out in early spring at a temperature of 13-15 °C or in July. When the first leaves appear, the seedlings are transplanted into cups or honeycomb containers filled with sterilized organic soil, filled with complete (balanced nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer at the rate of 15-20 g per bucket.

Diseases

Fungi such as Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia infect the roots and root collar of the plant, while others, such as Fusarium and Verticillium, clog vascular vessels. You can prevent the occurrence of these diseases by using disinfected soil and using completely clean tools. Rust spots appear on the leaves and petals, - damage by Alternaria, and because of Uromyces - rust pustules. Sometimes gray rot appears on the leaves - the plants are treated with the appropriate fungicide. Pests often include nematodes that cause galls and root rot; ticks, aphids, worms. These pests cause significant damage to stems and leaves. You can get rid of them with the help of appropriate insecticides.

Fungi such as Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia infect the roots and root collar of the plant, while others, such as Fusarium and Verticillium, clog vascular vessels. You can prevent the occurrence of these diseases by using disinfected soil and using completely clean tools. Rust spots appear on the leaves and petals, - damage by Alternaria, and because of Uromyces - rust pustules. Sometimes gray rot appears on the leaves - the plants are treated with the appropriate fungicide.

Pests often include nematodes that cause galls and root rot; ticks, aphids, worms. These pests cause significant damage to stems and leaves. You can get rid of them with the help of appropriate insecticides.

Acquisition

You can buy a sealed bag of seeds from a specialized company or ready-made healthy seedlings, making sure that it is free of pests and yellowing leaves.