Garden carnation - a popular flower for growing. She appeared in the flower beds of gardeners for a long time. Its genus includes more than 400 varieties. However, it is customary to grow three main types in the open field - garden (Dutch), Chinese and bearded (Turkish).
Separately, the red carnation, associated with love and blood, should be highlighted. The flower is a symbol of fallen soldiers and participants in revolutions. It is believed that if, at parting, a woman gives a man a red carnation, she will become a talisman on a long journey and battles. To gardeners, this flower seems strict, so many bypass it. However, there are other lovely carnations in a variety of colors.
Chinese carnation
The Geddevig carnation is the most popular type of Chinese carnation. An annual plant is 25-30 centimeters tall. Flowers of different colors - red, pink, white, lilac. They are simple and terry. This type of carnation has linear leaves, petals are cut along the edge, with a pattern.
Garden carnation (Dutch)
Perennial garden carnation (Dutch) is grown as an annual plant. If sown early, it will bloom in the first year. The flower stem reaches a height of 50-60 centimeters. Flowers are collected in inflorescences or grow one at a time. It all depends on the species. Their diameter is about five centimeters.
The Shabo carnation is the most famous of the Dutch carnations. In some cases, it blooms again.
Carnation bearded (Turkish)
The bearded carnation has stems about 60 centimeters high. A distinctive feature of Turkish carnation are lanceolate wide leaves and simple or double branches. The color of the flowers is varied - from pale to variegated. The most popular are white, red and pink bearded carnations. The plant does not begin to bear fruit and bloom immediately.
The first year is spent on the formation of the rosette and leaves. The flowering period is about 6 weeks. She begins to delight with her beauty from the second half of July.
Care and reproduction
Most carnation varieties prefer well-lit areas. They need slightly alkaline, well-drained soil for best growth. Re-blooming carnations need to remove wilted flowers. A prerequisite for carnation care is top dressing. Plants are fertilized twice a month. First time before flowering and bud formation. In this case, nitrogen fertilizers are used. During the period of bud formation and flowering, potash-phosphorus fertilizers are needed. Nitrogen fertilizers cannot be used a second time. Cloves need moderate watering. With excessive moisture and poor drainage, there is a risk of developing diseases that can lead to the death of the flower. Carnations of the Shabo species are planted in new places every two years.
As for reproduction, it happens in different ways in different species. Border tall species are usually propagated at the end of summer by layering. The rest of the species reproduce by green cuttings. Suitable time for this: June-July. With the help of seeds, botanical carnations can be removed, regardless of the season.
Carnation pests are no different from the traditional enemies of garden plants. They pose a danger to each of the species. If a bear starts up, the roots of the carnation will be damaged.When attacked, earwigs note damage to flowers and young shoots. From spider mite leaves of the plant are affected. These troubles can be avoided. To do this, in late autumn, you need to dig up the soil. Thus, earwigs and bears will freeze out. In the fight against spider mites, other manipulations will help.
