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. A variety of colors makes this flower desirable for any landscape designer. Already one name - Chinese terry cloves - makes it clear that this miracle of nature has a non-standard appearance and makes us carefully examine information about the features of its cultivation.
Today we will introduce you to basic recommendations for planting and caring for this plant. This information is useful not only to a beginner grower, but also to someone who wants to know 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 the plant appeared, but it is these three countries that are considered its homeland. Despite the fact that a flower can grow only a year or two, it is still regularly planted in flower beds, as its beauty exceeds all expectations.
Chinese carnation gives a low growth, not more than fifty centimeters in height. The stem is mostly quite thin, and the leaves are long and pointed.
The variety of varieties has led to the fact that at the moment at the disposal of gardeners - a lot of colors and structures of this flower. Simple, terry or semi-double - cloves are good in any case. There are buds of the same color, but there are two-tone with unique transitions of shades. Flowers reach three to four centimeters in diameter.
origin of name
By the way, 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 legend about this plant. The essence of the legend is that this flower was loved by two gods: Zeus and Jupiter. And he appeared at the moment when the goddess Artemis decided to teach a shepherd a lesson for singing. Drops of his blood turned into bright burgundy buds. But as a result of three hundred years of work of breeders, the burgundy color has turned into a palette of various shades.
Species features
Speaking about the types of Chinese cloves, 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 extends up to half a meter in height, and the other does not grow above fifteen centimeters and is considered a dwarf variety.
Carnation blooms 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 beautiful. Initially, the flower could grow for many years, but in a cold climate it gradually turned into an annual plant. Now experts are working hard to return the flower the opportunity to grow for more than one or two years and increase the flowering period.
Due to the fact that the roots of the flower are very compact, it is quite easy to transplant. A small height makes it attractive for home growing. Among the most common varieties of cloves are:
- "Diana",
- Schnabal
- "Gelstrat"
- Fireball
- "charm".
Any of these varieties looks great on a flower bed in combination with other plants.
Seed planting
In order for such a miracle to appear in your garden, you need to properly plant and care for it. To begin, consider the process of planting seeds of Chinese cloves.
In a special container (pot, box) lay out the drainage layer. We place the prepared soil on top, which includes garden soil, sand and vermiculite. Gently plant the seeds at a short distance from each other and sprinkle with soil. Create a greenhouse effect with oilcloth or film. The container is placed in a place where it is light enough and the temperature fluctuates around twenty degrees. After a few days, you will notice the first sprouts. Remove the film and take care of the sprouts, following these tips:
- 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 not enough sunlight, use artificial lighting;
- after the appearance of the second leaf 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, gradually reducing it to twelve degrees.
So we look after and wait for the formation of the root system.
We plant seedlings
The proper cultivation of Chinese cloves largely depends on the place of planting the flower. It is recommended to plant the plant in a place abundantly lit by sunlight. The procedure is best performed at the end of the spring, when the soil is sufficiently warm after winter.
Dig the selected place and fertilize well. Carefully inspect the proposed site for weed grass. They will prevent the flower from growing and developing properly. When planting seedlings, make sure that the sprouts are not closer to each other than twenty centimeters. Planting is recommended along with a lump of earth from the tank where the seedlings grew. This will help the flower to acclimatize faster in a new place. To prevent the plant from breaking, the stalk does not bend, stick a small stake next to each sprout, to which gently attach a flower until the stalk grows stronger.
If you plant a carnation in the shade, you run the risk of never enjoying the beauty of its flowers, as it only blooms when there is plenty of light. And the longer this light falls on the flower, the longer it will bloom.
Landing
There is another way to plant Chinese carnations. Growing from seeds can be done directly in an open area. This is a more troublesome process, but some growers use it, especially in warm areas. In this embodiment, the seeds are also planted in late spring, when the earth has completely departed from the winter cold. The most difficult thing is to maintain the temperature at night. Seeds do not tolerate cold, so it is imperative to cover the planting area with 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 the excess moisture;
- prepare the landing site in advance by digging the ground, loosening, removing all weed grasses;
- sow seeds into the soil at a distance, sprinkle with earth on top;
- irrigate the landing site with water, using an irrigator;
- we cover the entire flowerbed with a film to create a greenhouse effect and maintain the temperature at least fifteen degrees.
After waiting three weeks, you can observe the first sprouts. Seedlings need to be thinned out if they have sprouted too densely.
Take care of the flower
There are several points to consider when growing Chinese cloves. Planting and caring for the flower does not pose any particular difficulties, but still require your attention. Like any plant, this flower, which came to us from warm places, needs basic care. Here are the recommendations for a beginner grower:
- mulch the soil where the flower grows, this will extend the flowering period;
- water the plant in a moderate mode, but do not bring the soil to dry completely;
- increase watering at the time of setting buds and flowering;
- remove dry flowers, this will accelerate the emergence of new ones;
- do not use ammonium fertilizer;
- use potassium fertilizer formulations;
- three weeks after transplanting, use stimulants to accelerate flower growth;
- in the fall, 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. The reward will be the beauty of the flowerbed and the envy of the neighbors.
Possible problems
Chinese carnation, the photo of which is presented in this article, is quite resistant to disease and pest attacks. But with improper care, problems are possible. If you are diligent in watering or plant flowers too densely, this will lead to the appearance of pathogenic microbes and fungus. Do not plant cloves constantly in the same place. At least once every five years it is necessary to cultivate the soil with the help of fungicides. If you still notice the appearance of spots or traces of rot 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 ticks is carried out in a standard way using special tools that can be found in stores.
Decorate the landscape
Often, planting a Chinese carnation is made precisely for the purpose of decorating a garden plot or park area. This is quite logical, since the plant blooms long enough, it is easy to care for it, and it goes well with many flowers in the flowerbed. Carnations look great in a private house, where the owners strive to create coziness and comfort. Very often they are used to design an alpine hill. Lawns in parks and flowerbeds in squares are also full of the variety of colors of this miracle. In general, the advantages of the flower make it one of the most attractive options that landscape designers use.