How to grow Chinese cloves from seed. Features of growing Chinese cloves from seeds. Growing with seedlings
Everyone chooses favorites among a huge variety of flowers to your taste. Talking about which flower is better or worse is a thankless task. They are all, of course, good at least because they are unique. Chinese carnation has an original beauty and a number of characteristics that make it possible to recommend it for cultivation to every flower lover.
These bright colors in a variety of shades, you can decorate anything: a flower bed, a building facade, borders, a balcony (they are good in container plantings, which makes them a mobile decoration). The flowering of the Chinese carnation is lush, quite long. The plant is easy to care for. If the Chinese carnation has not yet settled on your site, most likely after a detailed acquaintance, it will become one of your favorites, you will want to give it a place in the garden.
When does Chinese carnation bloom?
The flowering period of Chinese carnation lasts from June to August. To date, the efforts of breeders are aimed at creating hybrids with earlier and longer flowering.
Flowers have a subtle fragrance. After flowering, slightly elongated seeds ripen; if handled carelessly, they can be damaged.
Chinese carnation grows in a bush with a height of 10-15 cm to half a meter. The stems are thin, erect, some varieties have characteristic nodules. Elongated leaf plates with pointed tops, arranged in pairs, depending on the variety, they can be narrow or wider, slightly twisted at the ends. Leaves and stems are green, may have a bluish coating.
Chinese carnation has been cultivated since 1702. It is a perennial plant, but under conditions middle lane In Russia, one- and two-year-old varieties are grown. Chinese carnation is also in demand in floristry: it is grown not only at an amateur level, but also on an industrial scale.
When to plant Chinese cloves in the ground with seeds
In the conditions of central Russia, annual varieties of Chinese carnation are most often grown, which is still better to grow through seedlings. Perennial or biennial varieties can be sown directly in the flower bed. It is possible to sow seeds immediately in the garden (in open ground) when the earth warms up to the range of 15-18 ° C, and the air temperature reaches 20 ° C. Approximately in time, such conditions occur in the second decade of May.
Before soaking the seeds for 20 minutes in a solution of succinic acid, which is prepared according to the instructions. Let them dry a little, but do not dry them completely, you can just blot them with a paper towel.
Dig up the area, remove weeds. Make beards 1-2 cm deep. Mix the treated seeds with agrovermiculite, carefully sow, sprinkle with agrovermiculite on top. Moisten the crops (preferably spray with a fine mist sprayer, as the soil should be slightly damp, not flooded). To protect daily temperature fluctuations, cover with a film on top at night or build a greenhouse over the crops.
Under these conditions, the seeds germinate for 3 weeks. When the seedlings grow and get stronger, they give a couple of real leaves, you need to thin out the crops, leaving a comfortable distance. Plants plucked for thinning purposes can be used as seedlings.
In regions with moderately cold winters, good self-sowing of carnations is noted.
Growing Chinese clove seedlings at home
Proceed to Chinese carnations for seedlings in late February-early March (some flower growers recommend sowing as early as January, if early spring is in your region). You will need a container or any wide container. Lay any drainage at the bottom, fill it with a universal substrate for growing seedlings, or prepare it yourself: garden soil with the addition of sand and vermiculite.
- Spread over the surface of the soil, sprinkle with vermiculite (it promotes seed germination), spray from a fine sprayer.
- Place the container with crops on a bright windowsill, keep the air temperature at 20 ° C, the soil should be constantly moist. Film may not be covered.
- When the sprouts appear, it will be necessary to lower the temperature to the level of 15-17 ° C so that they do not stretch.
- After the appearance of two true leaves, plant the sprouts in separate containers, where the seedlings will continue to grow until transplanted into open ground.
- When the plants grow up, pinch the tops, leaving 4 true leaves, and what is higher, cutting off with scissors. This will provoke the growth of side shoots and will allow you to get powerful bushes with abundant flowering.
You can transplant into the ground when the threat has completely passed. return frosts. Plants by this time can already throw out the color. A week before planting, harden the seedlings - first take them out into the garden for several hours, then increase the time until the seedlings are able to spend the night outside.
By transshipment of an earthen coma. The hole must be appropriate for this size. The root neck is flush with the soil surface.
How to pinch clove seedlings video:
Conditions for growing Chinese cloves in open ground
Chinese carnation is a perennial plant. As a rule, a strong healthy bush is formed in the first year after sowing, and abundant flowering begins from subsequent seasons (several buds may still appear in the first growing season). In addition, many annual varieties have been bred that bloom in the first year - they bloom a few weeks after sowing.
Carnation is not difficult, you should follow only a few recommendations. It all starts with choosing a place to land. In order for the plant to grow well, it is necessary to choose a drained area without stagnant moisture. Do not plant in lowlands, with close occurrence ground water build a high bed. Chinese carnation feels great on cultivated garden soil. Loamy soils are ideal.
It can be planted in an open sunny area and in partial shade - flowering is equally lush. To support the flowering process, it will not be superfluous to apply fertilizers. Before planting for digging, add humus or compost. In a strong shade, the plant is able to produce a small number of buds per season, but this does not carry much decorative effect.
Even in annual varieties, the rhizome has time to grow during the season. So that the plants do not interfere with each other, the optimal distance between them is 20 cm. The thickening of the plantings leads to poor air permeability, which can provoke disease damage.
Applies to all plants seed propagation, perennials can be propagated by dividing the bush.
Propagation of carnations by Chinese cuttings
The perennial Chinese carnation reproduces well vegetatively.
First, you can root the cuttings. Use shoots without buds that have 3-4 leaf nodes. Cut off the stalk, stepping back from the lower node about 1 cm, remove all leaves from it (the node) and make a couple of longitudinal cuts. Remove the rest of the leaves, and shorten the top ones by half. Plant the prepared stalk in pre-calcined sand, pour, cover from above glass jar or circumcised plastic bottle. The sand must not dry out. The cutting will take root after 3 weeks, then it can be transplanted into open ground.
Reproduction by layering
Tall bushes (0.5 m high) can be propagated by layering. To do this, make a hole, bend the stem to the ground, make incisions on the node - there should be contact with the soil in this place, fix the layering with a bracket, sprinkle with earth, the top of the shoot should be above the soil surface. Water throughout the rooting period. In the next season, separate the young sprout from mother plant and transplant.
The division of the bush
Reproduction by dividing the bush allows you to get several new plants that completely retain all the signs (terry, petal color). The method itself is not difficult, but not suitable for all varieties. Most of them have a tap root, which cannot be divided. Varieties with well-developed rhizomes can be tried to divide. Optimal time is an spring time before the start of flowering. Carefully dig up the bush, divide it into several parts, each of which should contain three living points of growth. Plant the delenki in the prepared holes according to the size of the root system, squeeze the soil around the seedling with your palms, water it.
How to care for Chinese carnation outdoors
In order for the Chinese carnation bushes to begin to bush, it is necessary to pinch the tops of the stems at the seedling stage (see the video above).
After planting in open ground, Chinese carnation needs moderate watering, weeding, and periodic fertilization. Perennials need preparation for wintering.
How to water
Water Chinese cloves regularly and sparingly. In extreme heat, water more abundantly, but do not allow moisture to stagnate.
Periodically loosen the soil, remove weeds from the site.
How to feed
In order for the flowering to be lush, top dressing will be required. It is enough to feed 2-3 times per season (after the seedlings have taken root, at the beginning and during flowering). Some gardeners consider fertilizing up to 3 times a month acceptable. Give preference to potash and complex fertilizers, with a small dose of nitrogen.
pruning
Cut off faded buds from the bushes (you can leave a few to collect seeds). To rejuvenate perennial bushes(regarding half a meter), by August they can be cut a little.
Winter hardiness of Chinese carnation
In autumn, biennials and perennial carnations cut the stems, leaving a length of about 10 cm above the soil surface. Mulch the plantings with dry leaves and cover with spruce branches, after snow falls, add a snowdrift.
Diseases and pests
Chinese carnation, with proper care, is not exposed to diseases and pests. The prerequisites for the appearance of diseases are waterlogging of the soil, thickening of plantings, overfeeding with fertilizers (an excess of nitrogen in the soil is especially harmful), or vice versa, potassium deficiency. Also, Chinese carnations are prone to the same fungal diseases as tulips - do not plant them nearby. It is not recommended to cultivate carnations in the same place for more than 5 years; for the purpose of prevention, plantings are treated with a fungicide in the fall.
If red or dry spots appear on the plant, the bushes wither regardless of watering, the affected plants will have to be destroyed (to avoid the disease of the rest), and the plantings must be treated with a fungicidal preparation.
Insecticide treatment will help to destroy spider mites or other pests.
Chinese carnation in landscape design
Due to the splendor and brightness of flowering, the Chinese carnation is loved by many flower growers.
Neat low bushes look great along garden paths, are used to border flower beds, create living borders, give picturesque facades. Island or bouquet planting against the backdrop of a lawn is a great option for using Chinese carnation in landscape design. When growing on an alpine hill, you will need to take care of the nutritional value of the soil.
Half-meter specimens will serve as background plants, you can combine different varieties, combining in height and color.
Chinese carnation is grown not only in personal plots, it can often be seen in parks and squares.
Origin of the name and a bit of history
This plant is called carnation in Russia. Chinese carnation (Dianthus chinensis) translated from Latin means " divine flower”, the second component of the name is due to the country of origin. It was from China that she came to Europe, and also lives in the natural environment on the territory of Korea and Mongolia.
The origin of the carnation is shrouded in legend. She is divine because she was loved by Zeus and Jupiter. And the flowers appeared thanks to the wrath of Artemis, which fell upon the shepherdess. He annoyed the goddess of the hunt with annoying singing, this flower appeared from the drops of his blood. The whole history of the popularization of cloves is associated with struggle and grief. This beautiful proud flower, shining like a torch, became a symbol of great historical events (French Revolution, Great October Revolution, World War II).
Chinese carnation is a more “peaceful” representative of the Carnation family. Initially hallmarks species were strokes of a burgundy hue on the petals. More than three hundred years of active breeding work has significantly diversified the appearance of the plant. Many varieties appeared with a single color (white, pink, red, purple, burgundy, lilac and even blue) colors.
There are bicolor varieties: the edges of the petals are dark, or vice versa, the core is dark with a lighter shade towards the top of the petal. there is a simple, terry and semi-double form. A simple corolla consists of 5 petals, at the ends there are notches and a fringe; a terry flower consists of several rows of petals. Depending on the variety, the diameter of the corolla varies between 1-4 cm.
The best varieties of Chinese cloves with photos and names
Varieties of Chinese carnation with simple flowers are as popular as Chinese terry carnation. The care of the latter is also carried out according to general rules, in addition, there is a longer flowering.
Thanks to the work of breeders, the widest choice of varieties is provided:
Chinese carnation Diamond mix Dianthus ‘Diamond Mix’ photo
Brilliant - bushes 25-30 cm high, terry inflorescences, dark red hue;
Vesuvius - thirty-centimeter bushes flare with an orange-red tint of inflorescences;
Schneeball - a variety of Chinese carnation about 30 cm high, snow-white flowers, terry;
Tenderness - a plant with a height of 40-45 cm, flowers are terry, white;
Feuerball - plant height is 25-30 cm, double flowers of a bright red hue;
Snowfire F1 - the stems are stretched to a height of 20 cm, the flowers are semi-double, the colors are double: the eye is bright pink, then the shade is lighter;
Black and white - a variety with thirty-centimeter stems got its name because the inside of the petals is maroon, the outside is almost snow-white; double flowers.
Particularly popular series:
Charm F1 - profusely flowering carnations about 20 cm high, most often grown as a container crop. There are six pure shades: coral, red, pink, scarlet, white, they can also be mixed;
Parfait F1 - crumbs only 15 cm high, non-double flowers, large. The series has two varieties: Raspberry Parfait - a dark pink core turns into a dark pink shade of petals; Strawberry Parfait - rich pink eye, petals of a more delicate shade;
Telstar F1 - bushes 25-30 cm high. There are seven sub-cultivars:
Carnation Chinese Crimson charm Dianthus chinensis ‘Crimson Charm’ photo
Crimson - fiery red flowers;
Picotee - fiery red petals with a thin snow-white border;
Pink - soft pink shade;
Purple Picotee - purple petals with a white border;
Scarlet - bright red flowers;
White - snow-white flowers;
Telstar Mix - a mixture of shades.
Medicinal properties of Chinese cloves
In addition to decorativeness, Chinese carnation has a number of medicinal properties. Used only by traditional medicine. For the preparation of medicinal products (infusions, decoctions, oils), the ground part of the plant is mainly used, the roots are rarely used.
The medicinal properties of Chinese cloves are due to the rich chemical and biological composition of substances. Among them: glycosides, saponins, a number of alkaloids, some flavonoids, various vitamins, coumarins, tannins. Unopened buds and flowers contain essential oils in large quantities.
Taking funds has an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, diuretic, diaphoretic, hemostatic and analgesic effect.
An infusion of the seeds is an excellent diuretic. An infusion of flowers has a therapeutic effect on uterine bleeding.
The result of comprehensive research by Chinese scientists is proven information about the ability of Chinese clove oil components to inhibit the development of cancer cells.
There are no contraindications to the use of products based on Chinese cloves, but individual intolerance is possible.
Procurement of medicinal raw materials
All parts of the plant are used as medicinal raw materials: roots, stems with leaves, flowers and seeds.
Dig up the roots with a garden shovel, clean from the ground and rinse well under running water. Then blot with a tissue or towel. Cut into small pieces, arrange thin layer on a newspaper or a special mesh for drying. Dry in a shady place with good ventilation (attic, shed, i.e. out of reach of moisture). Can be dried quickly in the oven at 45-50°C.
Arrange the dried raw materials in cloth bags and store for two years. After the expiration date, it makes no sense to use - the medicinal effect is lost, replace with fresh raw materials.
Harvest the aerial parts (stems, leaves, flowers) in dry weather during the daytime (after the dew has disappeared). Cut the stems almost to the root. Separate the flowers and dry them separately, similarly to the roots (on a net or dry bedding, spreading them out in a thin, even layer). The stems can be collected in a bunch and dried by hanging. Store such raw materials in cloth bags or paper and cardboard boxes for no more than one year.
Collect seeds during their ripening period. Carefully pour out of the fruit-box. Store in paper bags. Seeds remain viable for 4-5 years.
Almost every private house or cottage has small flower bed. And every year, many gardeners are faced with the question: what to grow on their own personal plot? What flowers will be a great find, will grow well and please the eye with an attractive appearance? And they can be a great option. different kinds carnations. There are annual and perennial varieties of such flowers, and some of them are completely non-capricious. Today we will clarify in a little more detail what a Chinese terry carnation is, discuss its cultivation from seeds and clarify when it is best to plant a carnation.
Chinese terry carnation is popular among gardeners due to its unpretentiousness and ability to bloom for a long time. On such a plant appear very beautiful flowers, which can be dyed in white, pink, coral, raspberry and cherry colors. In some varieties, several colors are combined at once.
In the photo, Chinese terry carnation
There are perennial and annual varieties of terry Chinese cloves. This plant grows as a rather small neat or sprawling bush, its height ranges from ten to fifty centimeters.
How to grow Chinese terry cloves from seeds?
This plant is well propagated by seeds. They have an elongated shape and are painted brown. Sowing seeds can be done in March or even at the end of January - February. It is not necessary to plant in ready-made peat soil mixtures, it is better to give preference to garden soil, to which you need to add river sand.
In order for the seeds to germinate well, it is worth soaking them in a solution of succinic acid shortly before sowing and drying them a little so that they do not stick together (but not completely). After that, you need to fill the seedling containers with the prepared soil mixture, spill it and sow. Carnation seeds need to be buried a little, and it is better to completely scatter them on the surface of the soil and crush them with a small amount of earth. In order to create an optimal greenhouse effect for germination, it is necessary to cover the crops with plastic wrap or glass.
It is best to place the seedling boxes in a room with a stable temperature of eighteen to twenty degrees. The first seedlings should appear after a week and a half. At this stage of growing carnations, it is necessary to remove the shelter from the boxes and put them on a windowsill with sufficient lighting. It is worth noting that with a shortage of light, the seedlings begin to stretch excessively. In such a situation, it is necessary to organize additional illumination. Also, after the appearance of the first seedlings, it is advisable to rearrange the seedling box in a cooler room - with a temperature of about fourteen degrees.
Seedlings of Chinese terry carnation need not only suitable lighting, but also periodic moistening. But at the same time, it must be remembered that such plants, with an excess of moisture, can quickly suffer from fungal disease- black leg. And this disease can destroy young seedlings. That is why watering seedlings is carried out with particular care, readers of "Popular about Health" are strongly recommended to replace this procedure with spraying.
After the appearance of a couple of full-fledged leaves on young plants, it is necessary to dive them into individual containers. The best choice for seedlings of terry Chinese carnations will be peat pots filled with nutrient soil.
After four to six true leaves appear on the plants, it is worth pinching them. Thanks to such a simple manipulation, the Chinese carnation bushes will be lush and especially attractive.
Before planting seedlings in open ground, it should grow well and get stronger. It is also necessary to organize the hardening of plants - at first you just need to open the window, and then the pots should be taken out to the balcony or to the street, gradually increasing the hardening period.
Planting seedlings in open ground is carried out closer to the middle or end of May. In this case, the plants are placed in holes dug at intervals equal to the approximate height of future bushes. So undersized varieties are planted with a distance of twenty centimeters, dwarf varieties - ten to fifteen centimeters, and tall ones - thirty centimeters.
Growing from seeds in open ground
Many gardeners grow cloves by sowing seeds directly into open ground. The best time for this is the beginning of May. Seeds are sown in an open nursery, and as the seedlings grow, they are transferred to permanent place cultivation.
Before sowing, you need to carefully evaluate the site, with a high probability of waterlogging, it is worth removing twenty-five centimeters of soil from it and laying a layer of drainage, and then cover it with soil. Seeds are sown at intervals of a centimeter, the optimal distance between rows is ten centimeters. They are placed in well loosened and moistened soil, after which they are sprinkled with rather loose earth.
Crops should not be covered, but after a week, while maintaining the threat of night frosts, it is still desirable to organize shelter for the first seedlings. After the appearance of four pairs of leaves on young plants, they can be transferred to a flower bed by pinching at the same time.
Thus, growing cloves from seeds is not such a difficult task.
We each have our favorite flowers. It is a thankless task to say which flower is better, which is worse. All of them are good and all are unique. But the Chinese carnation really has features due to which it can be recommended to everyone. Her bright flowers all colors and shades are able to decorate a flower bed, border, balcony, facade, whatever! She has a long and abundant flowering. She is easy to care for. If you do not yet have Chinese carnations in your garden, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the features of its cultivation and the variety of varieties. Without a doubt, this flower will become one of the most desirable for you.
Description of Chinese carnation
Chinese carnation - unusual ornamental plant, surpassing the usual counterpart in the brightness of colors and splendor of inflorescences. The use of this plant in garden design very widely: Chinese carnations can decorate borders, flower beds, flower beds, rock gardens, balconies, facades: in principle, anything. By the way, this plant is called carnation exclusively in our country. In global practice, it is known as the "divine flower". As the name implies, the birthplace of the plant is China, as well as Mongolia and Korea. In our country, Chinese carnation is grown as an annual or biennial plant, although in its historical homeland it is a perennial. Outwardly, Chinese carnations are compact bushes up to half a meter high. The stems of the plant are thin, sometimes knotty, the leaves are long, thin and sharp at the ends. Simple, semi-double and double varieties of Chinese carnation are known today: they all have a wonderful delicate color of the petals, sometimes defiantly bright. The color of the petals of the Chinese carnation is found in the following variants: white; pink; burgundy; purple; lilac. Currently, breeders have brought out many other interesting shades of the plant: among them are even such unusual ones as black and blue. In addition to the monochromatic coloring option, Chinese carnation petals can be painted in two colors: with a decorative gradient transition. The size of the flower is usually about 3 cm in diameter, sometimes it reaches 4 cm.
Sowing Chinese carnation seeds for seedlings
To enjoy the flowering of plants over a long period of time, you can grow seeds in April. Getting ready for it suitable capacity and lay out drainage at its bottom. After that, we fill in the prepared, moistened mixture, consisting of garden soil, sand and vermiculite. After that, lay out the seeds and lightly sprinkle them with vermiculite. We cover the container with a film and expose it to a bright place, with a temperature of about 20 ° C. After the emergence of seedlings, and this will happen in a few days, the film must be removed. Care consists primarily in maintaining the temperature, it is unacceptable that it, even at night, falls below 17 ° C. The soil must be moistened, only with a spray bottle, in moderation. If the weather is not sunny enough, you should use additional source lighting. After the appearance of a pair of true leaves, a pick will be needed. Approximately three weeks after the emergence of seedlings, it is necessary to reduce the ambient temperature. Night temperature, can be brought gradually up to 12 °C. For this, a glazed balcony is quite suitable, where you can slightly open the window at night. To make the bush lush, you should pinch it, above the third pair of leaves. If the pick is made at convenient plastic cups, the process of root formation becomes clearly visible. If a strong enough earthen clod may need to be repotted into a larger container. 
Planting seedlings of Chinese carnations in open ground
This flower can be grown as an indoor crop, or can be used as a landscaping decor. Carnation - photophilous plant, for the successful growth of which you need light soil with a moderate degree of moisture. The ideal place is the area on which the direct sunlight. Before planting in the ground, it is fertilized, and the seedlings are planted at a distance of 20 cm.
The time when you can plant clove seedlings in open ground is the end of May - the beginning of June. Refined and refined, the Chinese carnation loves areas where it is dry and there is enough sun. The longer the daylight hours (16-18 hours), the faster its flowering will come. With a lack of light, the stem becomes fragile, becomes thinner and droops over time, and the flowers decrease in size. If you plant a carnation in the shade or partial shade, lush flowering can't wait. Before planting, the site is dug up and fertilized with humus. If a carnation is planted in a flower bed, then you still need to remove the weeds.
Before planting, a bed is prepared, and seedlings are planted at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. The sprouts are transplanted along with earthy clod so as not to damage root system. To avoid breaking the stems, when flower stalks appear, a special peg is placed next to each carnation, to which flower stalks are tied. 
Sowing Chinese carnation seeds in open ground
As soon as the snow melts and the earth warms up, it is necessary to start sowing seeds. Sowing in open ground should be in early May. The difficulty in growing lies in maintaining temperature regime at night time. Seeds hurt low temperature, so the landings will have to be covered with a film.
Latest articles about gardening and gardening
Before sowing, soak the seed in succinic acid for 20 minutes. The solution must be made in accordance with the instructions. After the time has passed, the seeds should be taken out, put on a napkin so that it draws in water, but it should not be overdried. Before sowing, the bed must be loosened, weeds removed and shallow grooves made. When sowing seeds, do not place them close to each other! To avoid dense plantings in the future, the seed should be mixed with dry sand and sown in the furrows. Top crops sprinkled with a small layer of soil. After that, the beds should be moistened.
Seeds germinate successfully at a soil temperature of +15 ºC and air temperature of +20 ºC. It is clear that it is impossible to ensure the same temperature day and night, so the crops are covered with foil every evening. You can build a mini-greenhouse, so it will be more convenient to cover and hide it. 
After 3 weeks, you can see the first shoots. If planted densely, weak seedlings should be removed, and stronger plants should be planted at an optimal distance from each other.
Chinese carnation care
To understand how to grow a plant, special attention should be paid to soil mulching. This will help to achieve a long flowering period. In watering, you should adhere to a very moderate mode. The earth should not be brought to a dried state. It should be barely damp. Increase the doses of watering only during the period of budding and flowering, the rest of the time limit yourself to spraying - so the flowers will be larger. In hot and dry weather, increase watering and do not forget to mulch the soil around the flower. Remove faded buds in time - so new ones will appear faster. Do not use ammonium fertilizers on cloves. The best for her are complexes of the potassium group. From the third week of sowing, you can start using growth regulators (2-3 times a week). It is also necessary to feed the plants when the budding period begins. Chinese carnation is affected by aphids, spider mites, rust. Carefully remove all affected plant segments, treat with Bordeaux liquid. In the last days of July, it is recommended to do pruning of buds. Such an event will help achieve sustainable flowering in August. In order for the plant to overwinter painlessly, cut it off, leaving about 8 cm. on top of the soil and take care of the shelter. Collect seeds for sowing when the boxes turn brown. 
Diseases and pests of Chinese cloves
Usually, Chinese carnation grows without problems, planting and caring for which are carried out correctly. These flowers have few pests. Waterlogging, dense plantings, overfeeding with fertilizers, potassium deficiency and an excess of nitrogen in the soil contribute to the appearance of diseases. Carnations, together with tulips, are affected by the same fungal diseases, so it is better not to plant them nearby. It is also not recommended to grow carnations for more than 5 years in one place, or the beds should be treated with fungicides in the fall. When red or dry spots appear on the carnations, as well as when the bushes wither, regardless of watering, diseased plants must be destroyed, and the place should be treated with antifungal drugs. Spider mites and other pests should be destroyed with insecticides.
Beauty, unpretentiousness, flowering duration - a happy combination of all these qualities makes the Chinese carnation one of the most beloved. flower crops our gardeners.
Carnation most different varieties and species like to grow on their plots summer residents, respecting this flower for its many advantages.
Carnations bloom for a long time and actively, their colorful flowers give a sense of celebration.
Such a view as Chinese carnation has a special charm. It can be grown both in pots and outdoors.
Growing Chinese carnation through seedlings
Chinese carnation grows in the form of a bush, the height of the stems of which reaches half a meter. The leaves of the plant are narrow, paired, long (sometimes twisted). Dwarf subspecies can only grow up to 15 cm.
Carnation blooms with white, pink, purple, lilac and burgundy flowers from June to August. This species is characterized by slits on the petals, a bright burgundy stripe and no smell.
China and Korea are considered the birthplace of the Chinese carnation, where its description was first published.
Did you know? The ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus in the 3rd century BC called the carnation "Dianthus" the divine flower or flower of Zeus. The first breeding work with cloves began in the XYII-XYIII centuries.
Seed preparation before planting
Seedlings do not have to be bought in a store - they can be grown at home. annual varieties carnations are propagated exclusively by seeds, while perennials are also propagated by cuttings and dividing the bush.
Planting seeds should begin in the spring - in March. Seeds can be placed in open ground in May - Chinese carnation is not afraid of light frosts.
Important! In order for the carnation to please with its flowering throughout the summer, the seeds are planted in different time(from March to April).
Soil for growing seedlings
Before sowing Chinese cloves for seedlings, prepare the soil in advance.
To do this, take the usual garden soil, in which it will be grown in the future, and add to it sand and vermiculite.
Can be used for seed germination a mixture of earth, peat, humus (ratio - 2: 2: 1) with an acidity of 6-6.5 pH.
Important! The soil for seedlings should be calcined - this way you can avoid infection of young carnations.
How to plant seeds for seedlings
Seeds for seedlings are sown in prepared soil in early spring. At the bottom of the container, you need to lay out a layer of drainage, and the soil itself should be slightly moist. From above, the seedlings are covered with a two-millimeter layer of earth and covered with paper or film. After the appearance of the first shoots, the film is removed.
Conditions for seed germination
When growing Chinese cloves from seeds, at the very beginning it is necessary to adhere to the temperature regime (+ 16-20 ° C) and regularly moisten the soil. Seedlings will appear in ten days, and then the room temperature is limited to + 10-15 ° C (so that the sprouts do not stretch). The soil should be moist, but not wet, air humidity is regulated within 80-85%.
The temperature regime and free air exchange (ventilation) during the period of seed germination are very important.
Seedlings will do best in a well-lit window. Of course, in the spring, seedlings may not have enough light, so the sprouts need to be provided with additional artificial lighting especially on cloudy days.
Did you know? In folk medicine, carnation flowers were used to get rid of various diseases (sciatica, rheumatism). And red flowers were considered a symbol of goodness, constancy, justice, fidelity and served as a talisman against misfortunes and evil spirits.
carnation seedling care
After the first shoots have appeared, the film must be removed for the daytime. This is done until the young shoots take root.
In addition, in addition to a clear temperature regime, young seedlings need proper watering. You need to water the sprouts after the soil has completely dried out, but you should not bring the leaves to wilting - this delays their growth.
As the seedlings develop, earth is poured to the stems - this helps to strengthen the young stems. For dosed watering, you can use a spray bottle.
Seedling picking
When the seedlings have 2-3 leaves, it is time to dive the Chinese carnation. Seedlings are transplanted into small peat pots (glasses) with a nutrient substrate. Before planting seedlings in open ground, it should get stronger.
For hardening, containers with seedlings can be taken out on a glazed balcony or loggia in good weather.
If the carnation will be grown as indoor flower, it is better to immediately plant in pots.
Planting seedlings of Chinese carnations in open ground
This flower can be grown as an indoor crop, or can be used as a landscaping decor.
Carnation is a photophilous plant that requires light soil with a moderate degree of moisture for successful growth. The ideal location is an area that receives direct sunlight. Before planting in the ground, it is fertilized, and the seedlings are planted at a distance of 20 cm.
Dates and choice of landing site
The time when you can plant clove seedlings in open ground is the end of May - the beginning of June.
Refined and refined, the Chinese carnation loves areas where it is dry and there is enough sun. The longer the daylight hours (16-18 hours), the faster its flowering will come. With a lack of light, the stem becomes fragile, becomes thinner and droops over time, and the flowers decrease in size.
Important! If you plant a carnation in the shade or partial shade, you can not wait for lush flowering.
Before planting, the site is dug up and fertilized with humus. If a carnation is planted in a flower bed, then you still need to remove the weeds.
Optimal seedling planting scheme
Before planting, a bed is prepared, and seedlings are planted at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. Sprouts are transplanted together with an earthy clod so as not to damage the root system.
To avoid breaking the stems, when flower stalks appear, a special peg is placed next to each carnation, to which flower stalks are tied.
Growing and caring for Chinese carnation
Carnation loves non-acidic, loamy, fertile soil. The Chinese carnation does not tolerate stagnant water and waterlogging, therefore, when caring for it, it is imperative to observe the irrigation regime, as well as regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds.
Did you know? The popular eastern teaching of Feng Shui claims that the carnation is a symbol of nobility and success and is able to enhance these qualities in its owners.
Pinching the top
In order for the carnation to grow and be compact, pinching seedlings of Chinese carnation over the 2-3rd pair of leaves is periodically done.
Important! Pinching should be done by carefully tearing off the top so as not to damage the remaining leaves.
How to water
Chinese carnation is usually enough to water once a week. However, although the plant tolerates drought well, it needs abundant watering on hot days.
When watering, you need to make sure that water does not fall on the buds - this will affect flowering and can cause diseases.
Fertilization
Houseplants require additional feeding, and carnation responds well to fertilizers, responding with long and abundant flowering.
If the cultivation of Chinese cloves is carried out in a substrate without soil, then fertilizers must be applied at least once a week. If a mixture of earth and substrate is used for cultivation, carnations can be fertilized once every 14 days.
In open ground, top dressing of perennial carnations begins from the second year. To do this, use potassium or complex fertilizers for flowering plants(at the rate of 5 g per bush).
Important! Top dressing is applied carefully so as not to harm the root system. It is strictly forbidden to use fresh manure and chlorinated top dressing.
Pruning faded buds
In order to extend the flowering time of the carnation, the stems with faded buds are cut off (up to 10-15 cm from the ground). After that, the earth needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers, loosened and watered. Then after a while new shoots will appear. Faded inflorescences you like can be left on seeds for propagation.
Important! The maturation of the seeds inhibits the further flowering of the carnation.
Protection from pests and diseases
Chinese carnation is very susceptible to pests and diseases. Particularly dangerous for her are:
- rust;
- fusarium;
- spotting;
- root rot;
- septoria and other viral diseases.
To avoid infection, do not allow high humidity and thickening in areas where cloves are grown. If the plant is still sick, the affected seedlings are isolated and destroyed (burned).
Chinese carnation is susceptible to attacks by pests such as:
- bears;
- spider mite;
- thrips;
- nematodes;
- earwigs.
Important! Practice shows that problems with Chinese cloves appear from bulbous plants, so such a neighborhood should be avoided.
The combination of Chinese carnation with other plants
Chinese carnation, as a bright and spectacular plant, can not only decorate a flower garden, but also combine all its elements into a single whole, emphasizing the attractiveness of neighbors. 
- Since the carnation is a minor plant, you can pick up contrasting, colorful annuals (malcolmia, nemophila) in the company with it.
- Looks expressive against the background of carnations bearded iris. Although it is extremely difficult for this handsome man to choose partners, his flowers perfectly echo with the Chinese carnation.
- Sage can serve as an excellent neighbor for a carnation in a flower bed - it will also feel comfortable in a sunny and dry area.
- A carnation will look harmonious among ground cover plants (sedum, veronica) against the background of stones.
Chinese carnation wintering
Carnation tolerates cold well in any region. To prepare for winter late autumn the stems of the plant are cut to 10 cm above the ground. It is not necessary to insulate bushes - peat, fallen leaves or sawdust can be used to protect against frost. In the spring, this shelter must be removed.
How to propagate Chinese cloves
Carnations are not long-lived, and after 3-4 years of flowering they lose their decorative effect. In order not to lose your favorite plant, it must be regularly propagated.
The division of the bush
An unpopular method, because it requires a powerful main root. It is best to propagate by dividing the roots in early spring, then new plants will bloom in the first season.
The bush is dug up and carefully divided into several parts with a sharp blade. In this case, shoots should remain on each part.
In order to propagate the carnation in this way, an incision is made at the internodes to the depth of the thickness of the stem. After that, the shoot is attached to the ground with a cut down, fall asleep and moisten. In this case, the plant first forms roots, and then a new flower is formed. 
Cuttings can be carried out in spring or autumn - special significance breeding time in this way does not, although in the fall it is easier to find healthy carnations.
In early September, the most beautiful and profusely flowering bushes are chosen. They break off (with part of the main stem) young apical branches 10 cm long and cut the leaves in half.
For several hours, the cuttings must be lowered into a weak solution of manganese. Then they are planted in a prepared container (with drainage and earth) to a depth of 2 cm, keeping a distance of 5 cm. The earth around the cuttings is gently pressed.
After planting, water the soil well and place the container with the cuttings in a container. The first week, the cuttings are shaded and sprayed regularly. Seedlings will take root in a month. 
In winter, it is not recommended to water the seedlings, and to ensure their rest, you need to cover the leaves with a layer of 15 cm. Chinese carnations can be planted in a permanent place in May.
Spring cuttings are carried out from plants listed in warm room autumn and long-blooming. After the carnation fades, watering is gradually stopped, and the pot is moved to a cool place. A cutting bush can be used in February.
Did you know? Carnation has been considered a symbol of well-being all over the world for decades, and in the USSR this plant gained popularity after the Great Patriotic War and became a symbol of victory and masculinity.
Carnation is a noble flower that adorns the garden and delights flower growers with its long flowering. Knowing how to properly sow Chinese carnations for seedlings, how to propagate in other ways, as well as when to plant sprouts in open ground and how to care for the plant, will allow you to admire these wonderful flowers all summer long.
Was this article helpful?
Thank you for your opinion!
Write in the comments what questions you did not receive an answer to, we will definitely respond!
You can recommend the article to your friends!
You can recommend the article to your friends!
110
times already
helped
Chinese carnation, popular with gardeners, appeared in Europe not so long ago. At the beginning of the 18th century, a certain missionary sent the seeds of this plant to France from China. And only in the nineteenth century did the Chinese carnation appear in Russia. Now at the disposal of European and Russian flower growers are many varieties and hybrid forms of Chinese carnation. Any of them can become a decoration of a flower bed or a container. Some varieties may bloom at home on a window or balcony.
Plant features
AT wild nature Chinese carnation grows in Korea, Mongolia and Northern China. Gardeners all over the world fell in love with this flower for its beauty and unpretentiousness. It is used in amateur and industrial floriculture.
Chinese carnation - perennial herbaceous plant from the genus Carnation, family Carnation. The plant is a low shrub with a stem height of up to 50 cm. The leaves of Chinese carnation are arranged in pairs, have a narrow elongated shape. There are varieties with twisted leaves. Exist dwarf varieties with a stem height not exceeding 15 cm. In countries with a temperate climate, this perennial plant is grown as an annual. In southern latitudes, wintering in the garden is possible when covered with compost or dry leaves.
Modern varieties have a compact bush and long flowering. The Chinese carnation flowers from June to August. Individual varieties bloom almost all summer and capture part of the fall. Flowers - white, pink, burgundy.
Chinese carnation can be distinguished by the slot and rich burgundy stripes on the petals. The flowers are located singly or collected in several pieces on one stem, forming a small bouquet. Varieties with simple and double flowers ranging in size from 3 to 8 cm have been bred. Some plants smell of a subtle aroma.
Popular varieties of Chinese cloves
- Geisha dance. Bush height - 30 cm, diameter - 15-20 cm. Bushes erect, columnar, medium strength, few leaves. The main shoots - from 7 to 11 pieces. In the center of the bush there is a peduncle 25-27 cm long. At its end, non-double flowers bloom about 3 cm in diameter, bright red with a weak aroma. The variety is used for decorating rabatok and cutting.
Geisha dance
- Grace. A non-double blend of lilac and hot pink flowers with white trim and flecks. Blooms in June-August. Plant height - 30 cm, planting pattern 15x15 cm. Seeds are sown in March-April, planted in the ground in May.
- Terry Mix. A mixture of terry varieties of various colors. Terry carnations bloom longer than usual - up to 5 months. The flowers have nice shape, decorated with graceful jagged petals. The mixture includes varieties with purple, white-red, white-pink and white.
Terry Mix
- Carnation Chinese + bearded Ideal Select. This is a large-flowered interspecific hybrid bouquet type of flowering. The diameter of the flowers is up to 4 cm. The bush grows to a width of about 20-25 cm. The series is good for landscape plantings and growing in a container. When obtained from seeds, the hybrid blooms 9 weeks after germination.
Ideal Select
- Diamond. Double cultivar with deep red flowers composed of serrated petals. Height - 30 cm, diameter of flowers - 5-7 cm. Spreading bush, green shoots, dark red at the nodes.
Diamond
- Diana F1. A hybrid that can be called good example achievements of modern breeding. Bred by Hem Genetics (Holland). It is a compact bush up to 20 cm high. It blooms early, has non-double, but very large and unusually cut flowers along the edges. The series includes hybrids with flowers of various colors - from white to variegated.
- Grace. Another series of varieties of hybrid origin from Hem Genetics. The series is distinguished by large double flowers with a diameter of up to 8 cm. Low bushes, growing, form curtains completely covered with flowers. The hybrid is great for flowering lawns and borders. It can be grown in room culture in pots.
Growing from seed
Chinese cloves are grown from seedlings, sowing seeds in March. The plant is cold-resistant, so seedlings can be planted in the ground as early as mid-May. Low positive temperatures at night and during spring frosts not afraid of a cold-resistant plant.
Seedlings are planted in open ground with an interval of 15-20 cm, 10 cm are left between miniature varieties. On the package with seeds of this variety there is always information about the recommended distance. In early March, there are already enough sunny days for growing seedlings without additional lighting. Artificial lighting may be required if the cups are on the north or east window. The seedlings "signal" themselves about the lack of light - the hypocotyl knee will stretch excessively, the sprouts will strongly bend towards the sun, some will even lie down.
Seeds are sown in ordinary garden soil, adding a little sand or vermiculite to it. AT prepared substrates on the basis of peat, seedlings develop poorly, since cloves need more nutritious soil. Seeds are sown to a depth of 0.5 cm and watered from above with a stream of water through a strainer so as not to wash the seed. The container is covered with a transparent film and put on a bright windowsill. When the first shoots appear, the film is removed.
In the future, it is better not to water the seedlings from a watering can, but to spray them with a spray gun, since they are extremely tender and have small size. Carnations are prone to blackleg disease, so the main concern when caring for seedlings is uniform and accurate watering. Plants should not suffer from lack of moisture, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
On cloudy days, early in the morning and in the evening, turn on the phytolamp. After the appearance of a couple of first leaves, the plants are seated in small plastic cups. As soon as the second or third pair of leaves appears, you need to pinch the growing point so that the bush is more dense. If the roots are completely wrapped around an earthen ball in a cup, the plant can be transferred to a larger container. There may be several such transfers. You should not immediately dive seedlings into a large container, as in a large volume the roots will rot due to high soil moisture.
After waiting until the bushes take root and grow, they begin to harden them. Glasses are taken out to a glazed balcony or loggia. When the temperature on the street at night ceases to fall below 0 degrees, the cups are taken out for the night for Fresh air. The alternation of warm daytime and low night temperatures makes the seedlings strong, hardened, and prevents lodging. Seedlings actively develop and subsequently do not get sick, are not exposed to pests. Early varieties carnations bloom already in cups, long before planting in open ground.
The plant is able to continuously bush and bloom, but for this it needs to be planted with seedlings and provided optimal level light and humidity, as well as good nutrition.
Each faded flower seeks to set seeds. If it is not removed, the plant will stop flowering and direct all its forces to the cultivation of "offspring". In practice, it is very difficult to remove individual dried carnation flowers in a timely manner. Sometimes it is easier to wait until the inflorescence fades on a whole branch, and remove it entirely. Carnations are fed twice a month with complex fertilizer.
Indicator proper care behind a Chinese carnation - a sign that ever larger flowers are opening on the bush.
Chinese carnation is an unpretentious, long-flowering and disease-resistant ornamental plant. It wonderfully decorates the garden and pleases gardeners with bright flowers of various shades. Culture deserves the close attention of gardeners. Growing from seeds allows you to get a large amount of inexpensive planting material. Having shown a little care in early spring, sowing seeds and growing seedlings, the gardener will receive a highly ornamental plant, will be able to admire flowers throughout the summer and part of autumn.