When and how to plant carnation seedlings to enjoy flowering until late autumn

When to plant carnation seedlings

The timing of sowing seeds depends on the variety. Carnation "shabo" blooms about six months after germination, so it is planted on seedlings before anyone else - from mid-January to the end of February. Turkish, pinnate and Chinese can be sown later - from the end of February to the end of April. These varieties will produce flowers about 3 months after sprouts appear.

How to choose clove seeds

All carnations share a special aroma and a huge variety of shades - from snow-white to maroon. Flowers can be simple and double, one-color or two-color, with a border or with "eyes" in the center.

However, different species have their own characteristics. Turkish can often be found in front gardens, and it certainly cannot be confused with the rest flowers. It is decorated with a whole rosette of small flowers, resembling a hat. The Turkish carnation grows up to 35–70 cm and is excellent for cutting.

Cirrus carnation grows in compact lush bushes 15–40 cm high. It produces many shoots, each of which adorns one flower with fringed petal edges. Considered quite unpretentious plant and is often used in the design of alpine slides.

Chinese carnation at first glance looks like pinnate. It also grows in a neat bush with a height of 15 to 40 cm, but differs in more lush and large flowers.

Carnation "shabo" can often be seen on the shelves in flower shops. It forms large lush flowers (4 to 7 cm in diameter) on tall stems (30 to 60 cm). Due to these characteristics, this variety is often grown for cutting.

All types of cloves are considered perennial plants. But the older the flower, the less magnificent and plentiful it is likely to bloom.

When buying seeds, carefully read the information on the package. The manufacturer indicates not only the name of the variety, but also the main characteristics: for example, the height and width of the bush, as well as the duration of flowering.

How to plant carnation seedlings

Carnation seeds have good germination and do not need additional stimulation, so you can immediately start sowing.

Prepare seed containers

For sowing cloves, prepare a small container 7–10 cm high. You can take both a special one for growing seedlings, and a regular food one. If you are planting several varieties, take separate containers for each and write the names of the carnations on them. So you will not get confused and will know exactly where what grows.

For sowing suitable universal soil for growing vegetable seedlings or flowers. Fill the container with it without reaching the edge of 1.5–2 cm. Seal the surface with the palm of your hand or a spoon. Moisten the soil with water from a spray bottle so as not to wash out the top layer.

Sow a clove

Scatter the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil in the container.

Pour dry soil over the seeds with a thin layer - literally 2-3 mm. After that, lightly tamp the soil with a regular spoon.

Moisten the crops a little with water from a spray bottle. Do this carefully so that the seeds do not wash out of the soil. For the same reason, do not pour too much water. The soil should be slightly damp.

Cover the clove container with a transparent lid, cling film, or a plain plastic bag.

Place the container with cloves in a warm place with a temperature of 20-23 ºС.

Wait for shoots

Sprouts can hatch in 7-14 days. Until this time, air the crops daily by removing the cover from the container for about 15-30 minutes. Condensate on the cover or film, wipe with a dry cloth. In addition, do not allow the soil to dry out and moisten the crops with water from a spray bottle as needed.

As soon as shoots appear, remove the cover from the container. Move the seedlings to a light window sill on the south side. Or, provide the carnation with additional light for 10-12 hours a day. Suitable for this phytolamps or conventional fluorescent with a power of 36 W per 1 m². They need to be placed at a height of 15-30 cm from seedlings.

In addition, carnation seedlings need cooler conditions so that they do not stretch. The optimum temperature is 15–18 °C.

How to care for carnation seedlings

At all stages of growth, keep the carnation on a bright windowsill or under phytolamps for 10-12 hours a day.

Pick up a carnation

About a month after germination, when the carnation has one or two pairs of true leaves, it must be planted in separate cups.

For growing cloves, plastic cups or pots with a volume of at least 200 ml and a height of about 8–10 cm are suitable. Fill them with soil (the one used for sowing is suitable seeds), leaving 1.5 cm free space at the top. Pour the soil with water so that it is moistened throughout the depth.

Also water the soil in the seedling container generously and wait until the water is absorbed. Then carefully separate the sprouts one at a time with a plastic fork or knife. Take your time so as not to damage the roots of the clove.

Make a deep hole in the soil in the center of the seedling cup. Lower the sprout into it so that the lower leaves touch the surface of the soil. Sprinkle the cloves with earth around the stem, compacting it gently with your fingers.

Water the plant with a small amount of water under the root. This will help the soil cover the roots more densely.

Provide favorable conditions for carnation

Try to grow seedlings at a temperature of 14-16 ° C. In the cool, the plants do not stretch and are stronger and stockier. If such conditions are difficult to achieve in your home, then at least keep the carnation away from radiators and heaters.

water the cloves

The soil in the sprout cups should not be too dry or too wet. To find a middle ground, focus on the surface of the soil: as soon as it dries slightly, pour a small amount of water under the root of the clove. While the sprouts are small and fragile, use a syringe or small syringe to water.

Feed the carnation

4-5 days after picks water the plants under the root with a solution of nitroammophoska at the rate of 1 g of the product per 1 liter of water. For one seedling you will need about 20 ml of liquid (1 tablespoon).

shape carnation

To get a lush, evenly developed bush, you need to pinch the clove seedlings in time. The right moment comes when the plant has four or five pairs of true leaves. Leave three or four pairs at the bottom and cut off the crown with nail scissors or simply pinch off with your nails.

This procedure will stimulate the formation of side shoots, and the carnation will begin to grow in a bush.

When to plant carnation seedlings in open ground

This flower is quite resistant to cold and is even able to survive the return frosts that often occur in late spring. But still, it is better not to jeopardize young tender plants and transplant them to flower bed when the air temperature at night will be consistently positive. In most regions of the middle lane, cloves are transferred to open ground around mid-May.