For many people, the carnation is a must-have plant in the home, and it's no wonder. Apart from that Carnation care is not complicated at all, its flowering makes it one of the most popular houseplants. It is discreet and small, but its beauty is truly impressive. In addition, it is a constant and generous vegetable that we can admire from spring to autumn, weather permitting. Why should we give up this beautiful plant?
In this article we will explain what the carnation is and what care this beautiful flower requires. We will talk about the location, irrigation, fertilization and pruning of the carnation so that you can enjoy it in your home.
What is carnation?
Before talking about carnation care, let's first learn a little more about this flower. It is a herbaceous plant that receives the scientific name Dianthus chinensis. It comes from China, Korea and Mongolia. Therefore it is not surprising that it is also known as "Chinese carnation". In addition, the fact that it is such a geographically dispersed plant indicates that it is extremely versatile. It has a very good tolerance towards heat and cold. For this reason, the carnation is an ideal plant to have outdoors, not to mention that it is one of the best options if we want a vegetable that resists throughout the year.
It is clear that the carnation is an ideal flower for people who are just starting out in the world of gardening or who simply have little time to dedicate to plants. No matter where we want to grow this vegetable, It is not demanding at all.
How are carnations cared for?
As we have mentioned before, carnation care is quite simple. It is not a plant that stands out for its size. Its flowers are quite small, but extremely beautiful. In the event that we want it to attract more attention due to its dimensions, it is best to plant it in the garden in a grouped manner together with other specimens of the same species. This way we will achieve a massif full of color.
Knowing the size of the carnation, which normally ranges between thirty and fifty centimeters, is very important. However, there is another reason why this plant is so decorative. The carnation lacks woody branches. Thus, usually arrange them in a hanging way. This size is perfect to place it in flowerpots or on the terrace, or even to decorate windows.
Next, we will talk in detail about all the carnation care so that we can enjoy its beautiful flowers in our home.
Where to plant carnations?
For these beautiful flowers It is essential that they receive a lot of direct sunlight. It is one of the few requirements of this vegetable. It is not enough that it is in a place with a lot of light, it has to be in full sun for the health of the plant and for it to bloom properly. Even in summer, if the temperatures are very high, it has to be in direct contact with the sun's rays. If we do not meet this requirement, the stems of the carnation will end up weakening and it will most likely not be able to create flower buds.
Although it is more common to have this beautiful flower outdoors, we can also have it inside the home, because it is very versatile as we have already mentioned before. Of course, we always have to meet the requirement that it receives enough direct sunlight.
How to water a carnation?
Regarding irrigation, It is essential that it adapts to the time of year in which we find ourselves. As with other plants that need to be full, especially in summer it is vitally important that we maintain a good irrigation pattern. Depending on the climate where we live, we may need to water the carnation every day, at least during the hottest months. During the rest of the year, in autumn and winter, the decrease in the irrigation schedule is considerable. It is generally sufficient to water the carnation once every four days, or even once a week.
In order to avoid unpleasantness and keep this plant in good condition, it is very important that we bear in mind that the carnation does not support waterlogging well at all. Therefore, it is better that we water it moderately than not overdoing it with water. In the same way it is crucial that we do not leave any plate with water under the pot. Otherwise, the roots of this vegetable will surely end up rotting.
subscriber of the carnation
To help the carnation flower and develop properly, it is very important to maintain a regular pattern of fertilization. Flowering requires a lot of energy for the plant, which means considerable wear and tear. Thus, we must pay from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. In order to reinforce flowering, the best thing we can do is opt for a specific fertilizer for flowering plants. We can also use guano fertilizer, both options are perfect to take care of the carnation.
How do you prune carnations?
One of the keys to keeping the carnation in good health is Prune all the wilted flowers from the plant, because they are a waste for her. In addition, their smell is a magnet for various pests. Ideally, cut the withered bud from the stem.
In itself, this vegetable does not require pruning like shrubs or trees. Nevertheless, If we want it to increase its size, a good way to achieve this is by lowering its stems a little when spring or autumn begins. Carrying out this task, we promote that the carnation creates new stems and grows, as a consequence, in contour.
With all this information we already know what the carnation care is. It is a perfect plant to enjoy a bit of nature without many complications.