Plant carnation correctly
In two stages you can establish a two-year-old carnation in the garden. In May, sow the seeds in the seed bed to be planted in their final location in August / September. How to do it right:
- Sow the seeds broadly in the finely crumbly bed in the protected location
- Sieve thinly with substrate, press lightly and pour with a fine effervescence
- Water regularly and weed consistently every few days
- Peck once over the sixth pair of leaves in order to achieve bushy branching
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If the seedbed is crowded, plant the young carnations at the intended location at a distance of 20-25 cm. Enrich the soil there beforehand with compost or bark humus and a few handfuls of rock flour (€ 14.95 at Amazon *) or algae lime. Please keep the previous planting depth and water generously.
Care tips
Regular watering and cleaning of withered flowers are essential for successful care. In addition, starting fertilization with compost and algae lime gets the mustard going. In the pot, the charming flower is happy about liquid fertilizer in June and August every two weeks. In exposed locations, we recommend winter protection in the form of autumn leaves and fir fronds. Please move planters to the bright winter quarters before the first frost.
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Which location is suitable?
The mustard thrives vital and healthy in a sunny location. This applies equally to flowers in beds and pots. Choose a place with loose, humus-rich, nutrient-rich and calcareous soil. Use commercially available potting soil as a substrate and enrich it with a little rock flour or algae lime.
What soil does the plant need?
A characteristic of cottage garden plants is their preference for fresh, moist, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil. In this regard, the mustard is no exception. In addition, the biennial perennial feels particularly well taken care of when the soil acidity of 7.5 to 8.0 shows a slight tendency towards alkaline.
What is the best time to plant?
Two dates are relevant for the proper cultivation of a bearded carnation: sowing in the seedbed in May / June and planting in the final location by September at the latest. Those who take this sequence to heart for the planting season can look forward to the picturesque flowering of flowers in the following early summer.
When is the flowering time?
The blooming time of a bearded carnation extends from May / June to August. The two-year-old shrub does not develop its colorful flower dress until the year after sowing and planting. By then, the Dianthus barbatus will develop a basal rosette of leaves that will produce the longed-for inflorescence in the following season. So that the charming summer flower retains its radiance over this long period of time, please cut off withered flowers regularly.
Cut the mustard properly
There are several occasions when you cut the mustard. The following overview gives all the important details:
- During the cultivation process, peel off the seedlings once over the sixth pair of leaves
- For the early morning vase, cut off the stems with slightly open buds close to the ground
- Regularly clean out wilted flower umbrellas for constant re-flowering
In regions with mild winter there is a prospect of a new flower festival next year. In this case, do not cut the carnation back to the ground until the next spring so that the withered leaves protect the root ball from the rigors of winter.
Pour the sweet carnation
The mustache reacts in an extremely bad mood to drought stress by refusing to flower and letting the leaves hang limply. You should therefore water the summer flower regularly when the soil or substrate has dried on. The early morning or evening is the best time to pour normal tap water directly onto the root disc.
Fertilize mustard properly
The modest demands of a bearded carnation are expressed not least in the nutrient supply. An organic start fertilization with compost and horn shavings as well as a handful of algae lime cover the needs in the bed. In the pot and flower box (€ 13.18 at Amazon *) please fertilize every 2-3 weeks in June and August with a liquid fertilizer or add a one-time fertilizer stick (€ 1.45 at Amazon *) with a long-term effect to the substrate.
Overwinter
In the year of planting, the mustard goes into winter with a basal rosette of leaves. So that the cold season cannot harm the root ball, we recommend covering with leaves and brushwood for rough locations. Since a Dianthus barbatus does not always stick to the two-year life plan, there are prospects of a further flowering period in regions with mild winter. Do not cut back the carnation plant in autumn, but again spread a protective layer over the planting site. With a little luck, the flower will sprout one more time. At least she has provided plenty of offspring through self-sowing.
Propagate carnation
The meager choice of propagation methods is characteristic of biennial plants. Only sowing has a chance of success for a sweet carnation. To do this, collect the ripe, approximately 1 cm large capsule fruits at the end of the flowering period. These contain the valuable seeds, which you should keep in a dark, cool and dry place. In May or June, sow the seeds directly into the bed. At temperatures of 15-18 degrees Celsius, germination begins within 7-14 days.
Mustard does not bloom
In the first year, do not struggle with a lack of flowers. The carnation is designed as a biennial perennial. This property implies that in the year of sowing and planting, a rosette of leaves develops first. This hibernates to allow the enchanting inflorescence to rise in the following season.
Nice varieties
- Nigrescens: well-known carnation, which enchants us with velvety, dark red flowers; Height 35-40 cm
- Oeschberg: The premium variety exudes a nostalgic flair with bright purple flowers; Height 40-50 cm
- Scarlet Queen: Royal carnation splendor for the early summer garden and balcony; Growth height 50-60 cm
- Albus: Pure white Dianthus barbatus, which contrasts wonderfully with its colored conspecifics; Height 50-60 cm
- Homeland: two-tone classic, whose deep red flowers adorn a white eye; Height 50-60 cm
- Indian carpet: A mix of dainty dwarf varieties, ideal as a border and potted flower; Growth height 25 cm
