Carnation has long symbolized love and passion. Its red variety is considered a symbol of victory in the Great Patriotic War and is traditionally placed on the graves of soldiers who laid down their heads defending their homeland. In ancient Greece, this beautiful plant was called the flower of Zeus, which shows how much the Greeks respected the carnation. Modern gardeners also love and appreciate these unpretentious, but charming flowers, decorate flower beds and suburban areas with them. Even a sophisticated florist will get a lot of useful experience from getting to know the carnation, because there are more than 300 species of this amazing plant. In such an amazing variety of shapes and shades, everyone will find what they need. Moreover, they are very different. Also, carnation can be both annual and perennial. The most common species are Chinese, Turkish and garden. They are most often found in flowerbeds and gardens.
Garden carnation
This type of carnation is sometimes called Dutch, because it was thanks to the efforts of flower growers from the Netherlands that this variety spread throughout Europe. This is a perennial plant, which we most often plant as an annual. Because ofThis garden carnation begins to bloom in the first year of its life, delighting impatient gardeners with its beautiful flowers. The height of this variety is usually 50-60 cm, although some species may be lower.
The most popular carnation Shabo. Growing this variety is interesting because it can bloom repeatedly. Despite the fact that this variety should be perennial, flower growers prefer to grow it as an annual plant. The most popular red carnation Shabo.
Grenadine
Grenadine carnation has a tall stem that can reach up to 70 cm. Its leaves are narrow, and the flowers come in a wide variety of colors. The flower of this variety can be both terry and ordinary. There are plants with beautiful notches on the petals. Grenadine blooms in the second year after planting, as the first year is spent on the formation of a powerful root system. But then beautiful flowers appear, delighting people with their pleasant aroma. The Grenadine variety is unpretentious and resistant to cold. Even our cold winters, this flower can wait out in the open field without any harm to itself.
Chinese carnation
This is a perennial plant that we usually grow as an annual. It is distinguished from other species by its small size - from 20 to 40 cm. Chinese carnation can be both terry and ordinary, there are single-color varieties with a wide variety of shades, as well as two-color varieties that delight the eye with beautiful combinations of colors. Light and the absence of stagnant water are the two main requirements thatflorist Chinese carnation. Seeds begin to ripen in boxes in August. You can store them up to three years.
Seeds should be sown in April, preferably in a greenhouse, as the temperature they need for optimal development is around 15 degrees. A young plant should be transplanted to a permanent place of residence around mid-May, when the possibility of unexpected frosts will be minimized. If the carnation flower has won your heart, then the Chinese variety can be a good choice for planting in an apartment, as it is small in size. The main thing in this case is to provide it with the necessary amount of light and put the plant in a cool place. At temperatures above 20 degrees, leaves will develop very actively, not flowers.
Carnation bearded
This species is also known as Turkish carnation. It has a length of 30 to 60 cm and is a biennial plant. Unlike other species, this variety blooms only in the second year of life. But this plant is very unpretentious - it loves the light, but can easily grow in the shade. At the same time, Turkish cloves do not like strong watering, preferring a moderate amount of moisture. This flower thrives well outdoors. It can be sown in both winter and spring. Greenhouse-grown seedlings are best planted in mid-May to avoid unexpected frosts. Bearded carnation is distinguished by bright saturated shades, two-color varieties are found.
Place of landing
Planting a carnation is a simple matter,if you understand what this beautiful plant needs. Although some species can grow in shady areas, for most of them, the presence of abundant sunlight is critical. Therefore, the place where the carnations will be planted should be in an open area where the sun's rays can reach the goal without hindrance. The carnation flower is very fond of mineral and organic fertilizers. Therefore, before planting, potash fertilizers must be applied to the soil. Also, all the necessary minerals should be added to the soil.
In principle, it is not so difficult to create conditions in which carnations will flourish. Care for her includes moderate watering. A delicate flower does not like stagnant water, and also negatively perceives too intense moisture. If you pour a carnation, then it may even die. There are special requirements for the soil. It must be well loosened, as the flower does not like heavy soils and may refuse to bloom if planted there. Manure can bring many benefits to a plant, but it must be rotted, as fresh is harmful to the root system of the "Zeus flower".
Pests
Pests dangerous for cloves are the same as for other garden plants. One of them is a bear. These insidious creatures can damage the root system of a plant if they are not disposed of in time. Flowers and young shoots can become food for the earwig if its harmful activity is not prevented. And the leaves can be damaged by spider mites. The main thing here is to remember that this indestructible pest is nottransfers moisture. Therefore, light spraying of the plant can be a good prevention of its appearance. If you need to protect your carnation from bears and earwigs, then loosening the soil in late autumn is a good idea. Then in winter the cold will eradicate these little parasites.
Planting carnations
So, you want to decorate your garden with wonderful carnation flowers. Growing these incredible flowers is not the easiest process, but it is quite possible for everyone. You can sow clove seeds, or you can plant with seedlings. Here, as you like, some varieties refuse to bloom if they were immediately sown in the ground. It is necessary to sow seeds in the ground after the last spring cold has ended, that is, not earlier than May. The distance between the seeds should be at least a centimeter, and between the rows at least 10 cm. If you did everything right, but the capricious plant still does not want to bloom, then another planting method will come to the rescue.
Carnation seedlings
Seedlings are the most reliable way to get the desired flower. Carnation is best accepted with this method of planting. You need to start at the beginning of March. For planting, you will need a container and a mixture of sand, earth and peat. Earth and peat are taken in a ratio of 1 to 1, but sand needs to be taken a little less. The resulting mixture must be placed in a container and poured with water. Then seeds are placed there, which are sprinkled with sand a little, after which all this is covered with a film. The optimum temperature for germination is 18 degrees. After the first shoots are spiked, the temperatureyou need to lower it to about 12 degrees and add lighting.
When young carnations have two leaves, they will need to be transplanted into a new container. The soil in it should be the same as in the previous one, and the distance between plants should not be less than 4 cm. Around the beginning of April, plants will need to be transplanted into separate pots, and in the middle of the month, you need to slowly start hardening the carnation. Growing this flower is very problematic if it is not hardened. Therefore, take the plants to fresh air for a while. The main thing is that the place of hardening is not blown by the wind. At the end of May, you can safely plant carnations in open ground. The distance between plants should be at least 30 cm.
Reproduction
There are different ways to propagate cloves. If you want to plant an annual variety, then it is best to just sow the seeds. It is worth collecting seed pods in the fall, when they are completely dry. The sowing itself takes place in March-April and is produced by growing seedlings, followed by planting on the street. Do not plant seeds directly in the flower bed, as they take quite a long time to grow. In this case, the probability of death of seedlings from weeds or parasites increases many times over.
Another method of carnation propagation is layering. So you can successfully propagate flower species that have impressive vegetative shoots. To do this, you need to make a vertical cut at the internode, about a third of the depth of the stem. Then this placeleans against the ground and falls asleep with sand. With abundant watering, the roots will not take long to wait, and new shoots will hatch from the internode. At this stage, you need to separate the new plant from the main bush and transplant it to a separate place.
Cutting
The carnation flower is perfectly propagated by cuttings, if it is not an annual plant, with which there is absolutely no need to do this. But in general, any perennial variety can be easily propagated by cuttings. The easiest way to distinguish vegetative shoots from flowering shoots in the spring. This is the best time to take cuttings. After a suitable shoot has been selected, it must be carefully cut off and the lower part cleared of leaves. Then an incision is made at the bottom to a depth equal to approximately 1/3 of the thickness of the stem. After this procedure, the cutting must be placed in a nutrient medium and covered with a film. After 2-3 weeks, roots will appear and the plant will be ready for planting. Cuttings are great for those who want a pure variety. For example, you have grown a delightful white carnation and want to get a few more flowers that are as similar as possible to it. In this case, cuttings are best suited.
Clove as a spice
Of course, many have heard of such a spice as cloves. Its incredible taste has conquered many culinary specialists. If used correctly, cloves will give the dish a bitter, but pleasant aroma. If you overdo it with it, then an unpleasant sharp taste will appear, which hardly anyone will like. Those who have tried the spice in its pure form will never puta lot of it. However, although this plant is called a carnation, it has little in common with flowers growing in flower beds.
Unusual spice obtained from the ripened seeds of the clove tree. This relative of myrtle is grown in many hot countries for food purposes, as well as for obtaining he althy oil, which has found the widest application in medicine and aromatherapy. Clove oil, filled into the aroma lamp, will calm the nervous system and clear the respiratory tract.
Variety
Carnation is an excellent plant for decorating a garden or summer cottage because there is a huge choice between different varieties of this beautiful plant. Every connoisseur of flowers will be able to find a variety to their liking. Someone will like the terry carnation, and some will like the unusual two-tone options. Not only the color differs, but also the size of the plant, as well as the splendor of the bush. In addition, you can choose the variety that best suits the conditions that you have. For some, perennial varieties are ideal, while for others, annual varieties familiar to everyone.
Such a variety not only allows you to choose a flower to your liking, but also gives you the opportunity to have a suitable bouquet for any occasion. If you do not know which flower to present at a strict official reception, then a strict red carnation will save the situation. Women will certainly like the bright saturated colors that the clove family is so rich in. In some cases, refined terry options are ideal.
Flowers are the key to good mood
Flowers are hard to make a material profit if you are not going to grow them for sale. But the benefit they bring is hardly worse than money. Seeing a scattering of colorful carnations in your summer cottage, enjoying their amazing look and aroma is a true reward for a hardworking florist. If a bad mood has firmly settled in your head and does not want to leave without a fight, then perhaps you just need to go out into the yard or onto the balcony, where your favorite white carnation is patiently waiting for its owner. Gloomy thoughts cannot last long if you are surrounded by beautiful flowers. Grow a carnation and it will bring you a lot of positive emotions every day!
