Chinese carnation. Chinese carnation - "Shanghai lights

Chinese carnation is a beautiful perennial plant. True, in regions with a temperate climate, it is grown as an annual. AT landscape design Chinese carnation has been used for more than three hundred years (counting back to 1702). And it is not surprising that during this time many interesting varieties were bred.

Any carnation looks good in flowerbeds and borders, in containers displayed on balconies and terraces. clove mixture different shades can be grown on alpine mountains, since such plants take root perfectly on stony soils.

General information

Chinese carnation is a relatively low flower with a straight standing stem and narrow lanceolate leaves of a rich green hue (in some varieties they have a twisted shape). The plant forms bushes up to 0.5 m high. But there are also dwarf varieties with a bush height of only 15 cm. It blooms from July until late autumn, so it will be a welcome crop in any garden, pleasing to the eye when most plants are already withering. However, much depends on the region. In more severe climates, the carnation will only bloom until August-September.

Her flowers are single or collected in "bouquets" of 4 pieces. The description of the plant would be incomplete without mentioning the color of the petals. Initially, the Chinese carnation was not distinguished by a special richness of the palette - there were only the usual colors: red, white, bright pink. But for long years selection bred varieties with the most fantastic color - purple, white-red, cherry, pearl white, almost always with a contrasting stripe along the edges of the petals. You can also find a variegated variety in which several shades are mixed.

The flowers of the plant are very beautiful. There are varieties with the usual finely serrated edges or deeply dissected. At one time, both terry and semi-double forms, as well as varieties with feathery petals, were bred. Interestingly, terry hybrids can bloom longer than regular varieties, up to 5 months. But flowering begins a little later, somewhere at the end of July.

There is one more beautiful plant- Turkish (or bearded) carnation. It differs from Chinese in the presence of bracts. The variety of cloves is amazing. In the garden you can grow the most different types and varieties.

The most popular varieties

Today, in stores and garden centers you can find the seeds of the most different varieties. In total there are about three hundred of them. The most popular include:

1. 1. Diana - non-double variety, growing in bushes of medium "height" - up to 25 cm in height. Compact culture, flowering from July to September.
2. 2. Supra is a non-double spreading variety that blooms from July to October.
3. 3. Grace is a beautiful terry variety. The bushes are sprawling, quite high - up to 30 cm, sometimes more. Blooms from July to October.
4. 4. Ideal select - a profusely flowering variety, usually grown as a biennial. The height of the bushes is 20-25 cm, the diameter of the flower is on average 4 cm (quite a lot for this type of carnation).
5. 5. Dulse - a mixture of Chinese and Turkish velvet carnations with very beautiful and unusual flowers.
6. 6. Lilipot is a dwarf variety that fully corresponds to its name. Bred by Japanese breeders. Without treatment with growth regulators, it will remain compact. A small shrub suitable for growing in pots. Flowers can be not only pink or red, but also lavender and even orange.
7. 7. Cibo - another mixture of Chinese and Turkish cloves. It has a very long flowering, until mid-November.
8. 8. Super Parfight - a very beautiful hybrid with two-tone large flowers. The bushes themselves are compact, but well branched. They can also be grown in pots on the balcony.

Finally, such an option as terry carnation mix is ​​popular, when you can grow flowers of various shades from seeds packed in one bag.

Although Chinese carnation is a perennial, many hybrids were originally bred as annuals.

cultivation

Whether it be a garden carnation or a home grown form on a balcony, it is very unpretentious plant, which even a novice florist can handle. annual varieties propagated exclusively by seeds. Perennials can be propagated by cuttings and division of the bush.

Growing seedlings at home in the following way. First, a suitable box or container is prepared (if some flowers have already been grown in it, it needs to be disinfected), a drainage layer is arranged at the bottom. Chinese carnation Prefers well-drained, slightly calcareous soil. So the soil should be light and already moist before the seeds are planted there. You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing peat with leafy soil and sand, or buy it ready-made in the store.

Sowing is done in early spring. Seeds are planted in moist soil and fall asleep on top thin layer of the same soil, and then the container or box is covered with paper or film (in the latter case, due to the fact that the material does not allow air to pass through, regular ventilation is necessary). The temperature for seed germination should be 16-20 degrees. The soil needs to be slightly moistened so that it does not dry out.

Growing from seeds is not difficult. Usually sprouts appear within ten days, and soon they are already picking. But it should be noted that after the first shoots appear, the temperature in the room where the seedlings are grown should not exceed 15 degrees. So it is better to leave the plants on an insulated balcony or loggia.

It is very important that the soil stays moist but not wet. In areas with a warm climate, perennial varieties can be transplanted into open ground already in the summer, and where conditions are more severe, they are first transplanted into a greenhouse.

Chinese cloves can also be grown outdoors. No need to sow directly into flower beds. It is better to choose a place for seedlings, from where already grown seedlings can be transplanted to a permanent bed. This plant is not afraid of light frosts, so you can sow cloves as early as May. It will grow best in light partial shade, but direct sunlight is also suitable for these flowers. The flower bed should be in a site with good drainage.

Before planting, it is still recommended to harden the seedlings for some time, two weeks should be enough for this. To do this, first you just need to open a window in the room, then start taking out the containers with plants on the balcony or terrace. Time spent outdoors should increase gradually.

When transplanting seedlings into the soil, you need to calculate the distance between them. Much depends on the variety, but it is recommended to stick to general rule- the distance between the bushes should correspond to their expected height. For dwarf varieties it is 10-15 cm, for undersized - about 20 cm, and for large varieties- about 30 cm. In order for the bushes to branch well in the future, you need to pinch the top of the seedlings over the fourth pair of leaves.

Each flower is special, but the Chinese carnation has a number of benefits that make it so loved. experienced gardeners. Besides what she has bright color all shades, it is still very easy to care for. It will perfectly decorate any garden, flower bed or balcony.

This plant is called carnation in Russia. Its name in Latin sounds like Dianthus - " divine flower". The legend says that Zeus and Jupiter loved cloves. She was born thanks to Artemis, who punished the shepherdess for singing, and flowers appeared from his drops of blood. The ascent of the carnation to Olympus is associated with struggle, which is why it symbolizes the French and October revolutions, the Second World War.

Chinese carnation is considered a more peaceful plant. It came to Europe from China, but Korea and Mongolia are also recognized as its homeland. Initially, Chinese carnation had burgundy strokes on the petals, but over 300 hundred years, as a result of active selection, many varieties with plain petals have appeared. She changed her life cycle- initially this flower was considered a perennial plant, but in our side it is grown as a biennial or annual.

The bushes of this plant reach a height of 10 to 50 cm and form thin green stems. In some varieties, nodules form on them. Many species have larger leaves, others have smaller ones, sometimes the leaves are slightly twisted.

This plant forms a corolla of 5 petals with notches or fringe at the tips. The flowers of this plant are red, pink, burgundy, purple, lilac, white, blue. Many species have two-colored petals. Their size reaches up to 4 cm, depending on the type of plant. Chinese clove seeds are elongated, but easily damaged if handled carelessly.

Varieties of this plant include:

1. Common carnation;
2. Semi-double;
3. Carnation terry.

Chinese carnation.

Carnation terry is annual and perennial. The height of her bush is up to 50 cm. It is propagated by seeds that have an oblong shape. Just like ordinary cloves, Chinese terry should be planted in March in garden soil with river sand. Way further care is no different from ordinary Chinese cloves. The only difference between these two species is that the petals of terry carnation mix with cloves, which gives it an unusual attractive appearance. It has a straight stem, on which narrow lanceolate leaves are formed. Carnation Chinese terry mix has slots and stripes on the petals.

Carnation Chinese Diana is an achievement of modern selection. It is distinguished by a low bush up to 25 cm, unpretentiousness, early flowering, zarnoobrazny color and large flowers. Carnation Diana has single flowers with heavily indented edges of the petals.

Gallery: carnation Chinese diana (25 photos)

Growing features

In order to form a healthy bush of Chinese cloves, you need at least a year. Therefore, after sowing perennial plants, they do not bloom immediately. Annual carnations, on the contrary, immediately after a few weeks of sunrises bloom and delight the eye until the frost. It is not difficult to take care of this plant, but it must be borne in mind that it is capricious in the choice of soil.

Throughout the summer, it needs to be fed with fertilizers. The soil must have good drainage without water stagnation. In the sun, the plant produces more flowers than in partial shade. But in partial shade, it also grows and blooms. Since for summer season the roots grow at the carnation, it needs to be planted at a distance of 20 cm from each other. If you are engaged in a clustering of plants, they will not have enough air. All varieties of cloves are propagated by seeds and only perennial variety- dividing the bush.

Planting a plant

It is easiest to grow Chinese cloves at home from seeds and then plant them outdoors. To prepare the container, garden soil with sand and a little vermiculite are added to it. Seeds are placed on the ground and sprinkled with vermiculite, which promotes their growth. Should start in March.

Seedlings are placed on a window in a warm, but not hot place, the air temperature should be up to +20. Be sure to install a drainage system to keep the ground moist at all times. After the appearance of sprouts, the pots are transferred to a room with a temperature of up to +17. When the plant grows up, it is separated from the rest in a separate bowl. It is possible to plant carnations on the ground only after the frost has passed.

This plant can also be grown in open ground, but the difficulty lies in observing the temperature regime. For temperate climate annual carnations are most often suitable. To achieve the desired result, before planting, soak the seeds for 20 minutes in succinic acid, then let them dry a little, but not completely. Mix the seeds with agrovermiculite and plant them with a depth of no more than 2 cm. The most optimal soil temperature is +15 to +18, and the air temperature is +20. The soil must be moist. At night, the sprouts need to be covered with a film or make a small greenhouse. After three weeks, sunrises will appear, which should be thinned out.

Reproduction methods

There are two types of carnation propagation:

1. Propagation by cuttings. Perennials can be easily propagated from cuttings. To do this, use shoots without buds, on which there are 4 leaf nodes. 1 cm recede from the lower node and cut off the stalk. Two longitudinal cuts are made at the node, all leaves are removed, except for the upper ones, which are shortened. Next, the sand is calcined, let it fall behind and the cutting is placed there, covered with a film. In the third week, provided that the humidity under the film is of constant temperature, and the sand is also wet, roots form.
2. The division of the bush. This method helps to get a new plant, with petals or doubleness similar to the mother's color. This method is not suitable for everyone, but only for those types of carnations that form a good rhizome. Reproduction should begin in the spring. The plant must be dug out of the ground and divided so that three living buds remain on each site, planted in holes.

Care rules

After the seeds have sprouted and grow safely, the plants will require further care. In order for a carnation bush to grow, you need:

1. Provide uniform moderate watering;
2. Do not allow the soil to dry out, it should always be wet;
3. Plants should be in the sun or in partial shade;
4. Regularly weed the flower bed;
5. Feed 3 times per season with potash or complex fertilizers;
6. Cut faded buds from the plant;
7. In August, cut tall varieties to rejuvenate the bushes;
8. Cut off the green part of biennial and perennial plants, leaving 10 cm;
9. Cover in severe frosts.

Diseases and pests

These plants have few pests and grow well if cared for properly. Diseases can be caused by:

1. Waterlogging;
2. dense landings;
3. Calcium deficiency and an excess of nitrogen;
4. Overfeeding with fertilizers.

If this flower grows next to a tulip, then it can become infected with a fungal disease from it. It is not recommended to grow this flower for more than 5 years in the same place. In the event of the appearance of diseased plants, they should be destroyed, and the place should be treated with antifungal agents.

Attention, only TODAY!

Chinese cloves are wonderful garden flower, which is a carnation familiar to us, however, in its more decorative version. The plant can be colored differently depending on the species: there are even very rare varieties, including maroon, almost black. Chinese carnation fits wonderfully into garden landscape, and has a universal application.

So, it can be planted in separate flower beds, used in group plantings: in any case, the flower will fit perfectly into the surrounding space. In the article, we will consider the features of growing Chinese cloves from seeds: we will find out exactly how the plant should be planted, and what features of care should be borne in mind.

Description and features

Chinese carnation is an unusual ornamental plant that surpasses its usual counterpart in the brightness of colors and the splendor of inflorescences. The use of this plant, as well as, in garden design is very wide: Chinese carnation you 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 cloves are 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.

On the video - Chinese carnation:

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 Chinese carnation petals is found in the following variants:

And this is what the seeds look like Turkish cloves, and how it is necessary to plant them in the ground, this will help to understand

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 reaching 4 cm.

Growing seeds in open ground

Because of the need to comply with certain temperature regime and the regularity of watering from seeds in open ground, Chinese cloves are rarely grown. Usually, a healthy and strong seedlings, which is then moved under open sky: this way is more reliable, though more troublesome.

However, if you still decide to immediately plant the seeds in open ground, it is recommended to pre-soak them for 20 minutes in a solution succinic acid, and then, without drying to the end, land in the ground. This procedure will strengthen the seeds and make them more resistant to disease.

How it happens, and how to do it correctly, this information will help to understand.

But how the cultivation of Dimorfoteka takes place, and what such a flower looks like in the photo, you can find out from this

It will also be interesting to learn how to plant Matthiola bicornuate with seeds:

After three weeks, on average, the first shoots appear. When two or three leaves appear on them, the seedlings must be dived, seated at the required distance from each other.

Growing with seedlings

To ensure the guaranteed germination of Chinese cloves, it is recommended to grow them with seedling method. In addition, for many cold Russian regions this is generally the only method. Seeds are planted for seedlings already in March, although to speed up the start of flowering, you can do this in February, and even in January. But the latter options are only suitable for areas with a warm climate.

Seeds are placed in prepared containers filled with a mixture of garden soil and sand. You can also add vermiculite to the soil, which will accelerate germination. It is imperative to put a layer of drainage at the bottom of the container: the plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

After the seeds are placed in the ground, they are sprinkled a little with vermiculite, after which the containers are cleaned in a sunny, well-lit place (a windowsill on the south side is suitable). Soil compaction from above is not required. It is advisable to install several fluorescent lamps which can be very helpful in case of cloudy weather.

For successful germination, it is necessary that the temperature in the room be about +20 degrees, and the soil constantly remains moderately moist. Additional protection in the form of a film or glass in this case is not required.

After the appearance of sprouts, containers with seedlings must be moved to a room with a lower temperature - about + 15-17 degrees. Such a decrease in temperature is necessary so that the seedlings do not stretch too actively up.

Attention: Chinese carnation breeds well and self-seeding. If the seeds fell into the ground in the fall, then, having survived the winter, many of them will sprout safely in the spring: without any worries and hassle on the part of the gardener. The method is good, however, in this case, the carnation will grow spontaneously, as it should. Although for some picturesque garden designs this method is also suitable.

Care

Even in natural conditions plant and perennial, however, in our country is grown mainly as an annual. I must say that growing this flower is not too difficult, and it is quite accessible even to inexperienced gardeners. What you need to pay attention to is the choice of soil: only in this respect does the Chinese carnation show some capriciousness. So, the plant needs well-drained soil that is not prone to stagnant water.

Chinese cloves, in addition, need to be fed: over the summer, you will have to fertilize several times. Without additional nutrition, the plant will bloom more poorly.

As for the choice of location, the flower will feel best in the sun, partial shade is also suitable. Completely shady places are not for Chinese carnation: in such places, decorative and lush flowering you won't have to wait.

On the video - how to care for flowers:

There is one nuance that gardeners need to know: the roots of Chinese carnations grow strongly and branch. So to underground root system not mixed up, it is recommended to plant carnation bushes at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. And in order to ensure good lush bushiness, the tops of the stems must be pinched off at the seedling stage.

As for watering, it should be moderate, and in extreme heat more plentiful. Waterlogging of the soil and, moreover, stagnation of moisture in the soil, must be avoided.

A bed with Chinese cloves must be cleaned of weeds, weeding regularly. Top dressing should be carried out 2-3 times per season. But some gardeners recommend fertilizing more often, especially if the soil is not fertile. Fertilizers with a potassium composition are used to feed cloves, and are also suitable special formulations for clove varieties.

To ensure longer flowering, dried buds must be removed from the bushes. Closer to August, gardeners recommend cutting tall varieties of Chinese carnations to prolong the flowering period, rejuvenating the bushes.

If the plant is a biennial, then for the winter it needs to cut off the green top, leaving 10 cm long stems sticking out of the ground. It is advisable to cover these stems with leaves or dry grass so that the plant survives the frost safely.

Diseases and pests

A plant that is grown in compliance with the above recommendations, and which is properly cared for, usually develops without problems and is not susceptible to diseases. There are few pests that affect the Chinese carnation.

Chinese carnation belongs to the category of plants that you never get tired of admiring, which every owner wants to have in his flower garden. The variety of colors makes this flower desirable for any landscape designer. Already one name - Chinese terry carnation - makes it clear that this miracle of nature has a non-standard appearance and makes us carefully study the information about the features of its cultivation.

Today we will acquaint you with elementary recommendations for planting and caring for this plant. This information is useful not only for a beginner grower, but also for those who want to learn more about this flower.

general information

This beautiful flower came to us from the east, namely from China, Mongolia and Korea. It is not known exactly where exactly the plant appeared, but it is these three countries that are considered its homeland. Despite the fact that the flower may only grow for a year or two, it is still regularly planted in flower beds, as its beauty exceeds all expectations.

Chinese carnation gives short growth, no more than fifty centimeters in height. The stem is mostly quite thin, and the leaves are long and pointed.

The variety of cultivars has led to this moment at the disposal of flower growers - a lot of colors and structures of this flower. Simple, terry or semi-double - carnation is good in any case. There are buds of one color, and there are two-color buds with unique transitions of shades. Flowers reach three to four centimeters in diameter.

origin of name

By the way, the Chinese carnation has a similar name only in our country. At home, this flower is called nothing more than the "flower of the gods." There is a whole legend about this plant. The essence of the legend is that this flower fell in love with two gods: Zeus and Jupiter. And he appeared at the moment when the goddess Artemis decided to teach a shepherd a lesson because he sang. Drops of his blood turned into bright burgundy buds. But as a result of three hundred years of work of breeders burgundy color turned into a palette of various shades.

Species Features

Speaking about the types of Chinese carnations, it is worth noting that they differ not only in the color of the buds, but also in the height of the stem and the shape of the petals. One variety has long leaves, the other has twisted leaves. One plant stretches up to half a meter in height, while the other does not grow above fifteen centimeters and is considered a dwarf variety.

Carnation flowering occurs from the very beginning of summer and lasts until the end of the season. You can find white, pink, purple or scarlet buds. But they are all wonderful. Initially, the flower could grow over many years, but in cold climates, it gradually turned into annual plant. Now specialists are working hard to return the flower to the opportunity to grow more than one or two years and increase the flowering period.

Due to the fact that the roots of the flower have a very compact shape, it is quite easy to transplant. A small height makes it attractive to home growing. Among the most common varieties of cloves are:

• "Diana",
• "schnebal",
• "gelstrat",
• "fireball",
• "charm".

Any of these varieties looks great in a flower bed in combination with other plants.

Planting seeds

In order for you to have such a miracle in your garden, you need to properly plant and care for it. To begin, consider the process of planting Chinese carnation seeds.

In a special container (pot, box) lay out the drainage layer. On top we place pre-prepared soil, which includes garden soil, sand and vermiculite. Gently plant the seeds at a short distance from each other and sprinkle with soil. We create a greenhouse effect using oilcloth or film. We place the container in a place where there is enough light and the temperature fluctuates around twenty degrees. After a few days, you will notice the first shoots. Remove the film and care for the sprouts, following these tips:

• the temperature should not be below seventeen degrees;
• the ground should be moist, but not too wet, so moisten it with a sprayer;
• if there is little sunlight, use artificial lighting;
• after the appearance of the second leaflet on the stem, you need to dive seedlings, using, for example, plastic cups;
• after three weeks after the appearance of the first sprout, you need to start accustoming the flower to a lower temperature, reducing it gradually to twelve degrees.

So we look after and wait for the formation of the root system.

We plant seedlings

Proper cultivation Chinese carnation largely depends on the place where the flower is planted. It is recommended to plant the plant in a place that is abundantly illuminated by the sun's rays. The procedure is best done at the end spring period when the soil is warm enough after winter.

The selected place is dug up and fertilized well. Carefully inspect the proposed site for the presence of weed grasses. They will interfere with the flower to grow and develop properly. When planting seedlings, make sure that the sprouts are not closer to each other than twenty centimeters. Planting is recommended along with a clod of earth from the container where the seedlings grew. This will help the flower acclimatize faster in a new place. So that the plant does not break, the stem does not bend, stick a small stake next to each sprout, to which gently tie the flower until the stem is strong.

If you plant a carnation in the shade, you run the risk of never enjoying the beauty of its flowers, as it blooms only in the presence of abundant light. And the longer this light falls on the flower, the longer it will bloom.

Landing in the ground

There is another way to plant Chinese cloves. Cultivation from seeds can be done directly on open area. This is a more troublesome process, but some growers use it, especially in warm areas. In this version, the seeds are also planted at the end of spring, when the earth has already completely receded from the winter cold. The most difficult thing is to maintain the temperature regime at night. Seeds do not tolerate cold, so it is imperative to cover the planting site with a film. The whole procedure is as follows:

• soak the seeds for twenty minutes in a solution of succinic acid;
• we take out the seeds, let the napkin absorb excess moisture;
• we prepare the landing site in advance by digging up the ground, loosening it, removing all weed grasses;
• we sow the seeds in the ground at a distance, sprinkle with earth on top;
• irrigate the landing site with water using a sprinkler;
• we cover the entire flower bed with a film to create a greenhouse effect and maintain a temperature of at least fifteen degrees.

After waiting three weeks, you will be able to observe the first sprouts. Seedlings need to be thinned out if they have sprouted too thickly.

Caring for a flower

There are a few things to consider when growing Chinese cloves. Planting and caring for a flower does not cause any particular difficulties, but still requires your attention. Like any plant, this flower, which came to us from warm lands, needs elementary care. Here are some tips for the beginner florist:

• mulch the soil where the flower grows, this will prolong the flowering period;
• water the plant moderately, but do not let the soil dry out completely;
• increase watering at the time of budding and flowering;
• delete it will accelerate the appearance of new ones;
• do not use ammonium-containing fertilizers;
• use fertilizer formulations containing potassium;
• three weeks after planting seedlings, use stimulants to accelerate flower growth;
• in autumn, prune the flower, leaving about eight centimeters of the stem, and also cover the plant for the winter.

Following these simple tips, you will be able to grow a beautiful plant in your garden. Your reward will be the beauty of the flower bed and the envy of your neighbors.

Possible problems

The Chinese carnation, the photo of which is presented in this article, is quite resistant to diseases and pest attacks. But at improper care possible problems. If you overdo it when watering or plant flowers too densely, this will lead to the appearance of pathogens and fungus. Do not plant cloves constantly in the same place. At least once every five years, you need to treat the soil with fungicides. If you still notice the appearance of spots or traces of decay on the flower, remove the diseased bushes and burn them, and treat the planting site with a special antifungal drug. The fight against aphids and mites is carried out in a standard way using special means that can be found in stores.

Decorate the landscape

Often, the planting of Chinese carnations is done precisely for the purpose of decorating a garden plot or park area. This is quite logical, since the plant blooms for a long time, it is easy to care for it, and it goes well with many flowers in the flower bed. Carnations also look great in a private house, where the owners strive to create coziness and comfort. They are often used to decorate Alpine slide. Lawns in parks and flower beds in squares are also full of variety in the color of this miracle. In general, the benefits of the flower make it one of the most attractive options that landscape designers use.

It's hard to imagine today garden plot where Chinese carnation would not grow. She is a real decoration of any flower bed, rabatka, alpine hill, curb, balcony. And this is not the whole list of applications of this flower.

Chinese carnation was brought to Europe at the beginning of the 18th century from China. That is why it is called "Chinese". However, its original homeland is Korea and Mongolia. Initially, this flower was distinguished by the peculiarity of the petals, on which burgundy strokes were clearly drawn. At present, thanks to breeders, new types of Chinese carnations with monophonic petals have appeared. In addition, the life cycle has changed. If in wild nature Chinese carnation is a perennial plant, which as ornamental plant it is grown as a biennial.

Description of Chinese carnation

Chinese carnation - the plant is not tall. It is formed by bushes with a height of 10 cm to half a meter. The stems of the Carnation are thin, green. Small nodules can be seen on the stems of some varieties. The leaves are usually long, narrow, pointed at the ends, but there are leaves slightly twisted, small and wide. It all depends on the type of flower.

The inflorescences of the Chinese Carnation can be simple - five-petalled, serrated at the ends, as well as double and semi-double. The variety of shades of inflorescences is surprising: white, pink, red, purple, burgundy, lilac and even blue. The size of the inflorescences is from 1 cm to 4 cm in diameter.

Agrotechnics of cultivation

Since the Chinese carnation is a biennial plant, it usually does not bloom in the first year. During this time, it only forms the green part of the bush. True, modern breeders have bred new varieties annual Carnation Chinese, the seeds of which have fast germination. Such seedlings grow and develop quickly, the plant manages to bloom in time and delight with its beauty and aroma of flowers right up to the frost.

Growing Carnation Chinese is not particularly difficult, but since it is not only elegant, but also capricious, it is necessary to adhere to some rules.

First of all, Special attention should be given to the ground. It must have drainage, otherwise excessive moisture will destroy the flower. You can add some lime to the soil.

Secondly, throughout the summer, Carnation bushes need to be fed. various fertilizers. This will promote abundant flowering.

Thirdly, it is better to choose a site sunny, protected from drafts, although the plant feels comfortable in partial shade.

Another requirement is to observe a gap between the bushes of about 25 cm. This need is due to the fact that the root system of the Chinese Carnation is powerful, branched, and if the flowers are planted close, they will interfere with each other.

Growing Chinese Carnation Seeds at Home

Chinese carnation can be propagated by seeds at home, by sowing both directly in open ground and seedling way. The second option is more reliable, but if you sow the seeds directly on the garden, you will have to tinker a little. In addition, as a rule, the seeds of the annual Carnation are sown in open ground. In order for the germination to be higher, it is recommended to place them in a solution of succinic acid for 20 minutes.

After that, the seeds are dried a little at home, mixed with agrovermiculite and applied to the soil. The bed by this time should already be prepared: dug up, loosened, freed from weeds, containing lime, slightly moistened, with a drainage system.

Optimum temperature soil for sowing seeds is from +15°С to +18°С, and the air temperature is at least +20°С. It is advisable to cover the bed with a film at night. Shoots will appear in about 20-25 days. When they have 3 leaves, the seedlings should be discharged by transplanting the sprouts to a new place.

Seedling cultivation

To grow Chinese carnation using seedlings, sowing seeds at home should be done in early March, although some flower growers say that seeds can be sown as early as mid-January.

Containers are filled with soil consisting of garden soil along with the sand. Before the containers are filled with soil, any drainage is placed on the bottom, for example, crushed stone or expanded clay. Seeds are placed on top of the soil, sprinkled with vermiculite, which will speed up the process of seed germination. Containers are placed on the windowsill, but provided that there are no drafts. The optimum temperature is + 20 ° C, when shoots appear at home, transfer to a cool place with a temperature of + 17 ° C. The grown seedlings will need to dive, transplanted into separate containers. They can be transplanted into open ground only when stable warm days and nights come.

Diseases and pests that threaten Chinese cloves

Surprisingly, the Chinese Carnation is practically not threatened by any diseases, especially if it is properly looked after. The only thing that can be harmful is waterlogging the soil, frequent fertilizing with fertilizers.

Attention! It is impossible to plant Chinese carnations together with tulips, which can infect it with fungal diseases.

On one site, Chinese carnation is grown for no more than 5 years.