How To Grow Carnation Plant

The History of Carnation

Carnation is a common name for a herbaceous plant,{Dianthus caryophyllus}, of the Caryophyllaceae family, widely cultivated for its flowers. The carnation plant usually has many lightly smelling sweet blossoms. Some scholars believe that the name (carnation) comes from (coronation) or (corone)- (flower garlands), as it was one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial crowns. The carnation is probably native to the Mediterranean region but its exact range is unknown due to extensive cultivation for the last two millennium. Today, Dianthus caryophyllus is not seen in the wild with the exception of some Mediterranean countries. In the wild, carnations require insect pollinators, but most commercially important carnation varieties are sterile and are vegetatively propagated. Carnations have been cultivated for over 2,000 years. Clove pink was grown in the Middle Ages for its clove-like perfume. While popular in gardens, carnation are particularly well-known as cut flowers. They may be presented as gifts, or worn as corsages or boutonnières on special occasions, such as Mother's Day and weddings . Carnations have been given various meanings. Before giving carnations to a friend or family member, it would be best to check what each colour means so you know what you are giving them. As carnations come in a range of colours, each colour has a different meaning. White carnations are the most popular to give because it stands for purity and love, pink signifies a Mother’s love, red signify admiration and yellow signify dejection. So it is important that you are familiar with each colour and its meaning. In general, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction.

Pink carnations have been given a great deal of symbolic and historical significance. According to a Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross. The Virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus' plight, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus, the pink carnation became the symbol of a mother's undying love, and in 1907 was chosen by Ann Jarvis as the emblem of Mother's Day.

CarnationVarieties

Growing carnations is consistent even though they come in several varieties with varying shapes, sizes and colors. Regardless of which variety you choose, their beauty and fragrant aroma will be a welcome addition to your garden. Most of the Dianthus varieties will reach heights of 18-24 inches, but there are a few dwarf carnations that grow 9-12" tall.

Carnation flowers are available as annuals, biennials or perennials. The choice is up to you and many gardeners have Dianthus beds that contain specimens of all of these varieties. Growing carnations lets you create a spectacular flower garden with a simple to maintain look that effortlessly changes from one year to the next.

 Shop High Quality Carnations Plants Seeds 

How to Get Seeds Out of Carnation Flowers

Once the carnations produce blooms, you can harvest the seeds to grow new flowers next year. Gardeners often remove the dead or dying blooms from the flowers to encourage more blooms, but resisting deadheading the flowers will allow you to harvest the seeds. 

. Select healthy carnations from the garden to harvest the seeds. By choosing healthy carnations will ensure that you have viable seeds.

. Let the carnation flowers die back completely. The flowers will turn brown in color and feel dry to the touch. Place a small bag around the flower head and tie the bag with string. This will keep pests from eating the seed and guard against the seeds falling to the soil or being blown by the wind before you have a chance to collect them.

. Place a paper on the work table and roll the flower heads between your hands to remove the tiny, black seeds. Separate leaf and petal litter from the seeds. Allow the seeds to sit out on the paper, in a single layer, for one to two days to be sure they are completely dry. Do not place them in the sun, but in a shady dry area and out of the wind.

.Store the seeds in a suitable container. These include a paper, glass bottle or jar. Do not use plastic containers or bags, as moisture can build up and the seeds may rot or mold.

. Mark the storage container with the variety of carnation from which you collected the seed and the date of storage.

There are certain factors that can help to ensure good harvesting of seeds. The flower heads should be properly dried before commencing with the process of harvesting. Wet flower heads end up rotting instead of producing seeds. Also, it must be kept in mind that all seeds may not reproduce due to hybridization. Due to the same reason, at times, seeds propagate flowers dissimilar in color to the parent plant.

Starting Carnation From Seed Indoors

Start carnation seeds indoors during the late winter, and you will be able to transplant your seedlings as soon as any frost danger has passed.

. Choose a container with drainage holes in it and fill it with moist potting mix to 1 inch from the top. Use your fingers to lightly press down on the soil, so it's firm in the container.

. Sprinkle the seeds over the soil surface. Space them approximately 2 inches apart. Cover the seeds with a 1/8-inch layer of soil. Lightly press on the soil to firm it over the seeds.

. Spray water over the soil surface to moisten it by using a spray bottle.
. Put the container in a clear plastic bag or use plastic wrap to cover it. Seal the bag with an elastic band or twist tie. Covering the container helps the soil stay moist longer.
. Place the container in a warm place. Aim for a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If needed, place the container near a heater or use a heating pad underneath it.
. Check the container daily and mist water over the soil, as needed try to keep it moist. It will take from three to five days for carnation seeds to sprout, depending on how warm they are and how much light they receive. Remove the plastic as soon as the seeds germinate.

. Move the container to a sunny window so the seedlings can grow. Continue checking the soil moisture and, when needed, spray it with water.

. Once the carnation seedlings are about 2 inches tall, thin them out to one big seedling every 2 inches.

. Transplant the new growing plants to individual plant pots filled with potting soil, so that they can grow to stronger and healthy plants.

. About 7 days before planting your carnation plants outdoors, help acclimate them to temperatures, sunlight, and wind. This is the process of hardening off, or gradually acclimating you new plants to outdoor conditions. These plants have spent their short lives in a warm, sunny, protected place and won't fare well if you don't expose them slowly to the elements. Before you intend to plant, put your transplants outdoors in an area where they'll be protected from the direct sunlight and wind. Leave them out for a few hours and bring them back inside. Repeat this each day, gradually increasing the amount of time they're outside and the degree of exposure to sun and wind.  Gradual exposure helps your plants toughen up and reduces the possibility of injury. With proper hardening off, they’ll have an easier transition to the garden and begin producing beautiful flowers sooner. 

Carnations are the type of flowers that look delicate but are in fact very durable and bloom all through spring and summer. They are the ideal flowers to grow in every garden, because they are so beautiful and it's so easy to care for. You don’t have to be a professional gardener or invest in garden care to grow carnations. Propagating plants by cuttings is an easy and cheap way of replacing your old and straggly carnation plants, and the whole process takes around 5 to 6 weeks from cutting to transplanting your new plants out. Summer is the ideal time for propagating carnations from cuttings, as plant cells divide quickly, promoting root growth. 

READ: HOW TO PROPAGATE CARNATIONS FROM CUTTING

Watch How To Propagate Carnations From Cuttings Video

Grow and Enjoy This incredible Beauty!

Different varieties & colors of Carnation & Dianthus seeds available HERE that you won't want to miss!

If you have any tips for growing Carnation, we'd love to hear them - please share them in the comments below. 

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