How to Properly Care for Carnations
Are you curious about how to properly care for carnations and the methods for growing them at home? Please refer to the detailed introduction below for some green plant care experience.
Carnations require 6-8 hours of adequate sunlight, and should be maintained at a suitable temperature of 20°C to avoid discomfort that may affect their growth. Watering should be done when the soil feels dry to the touch, and fertilizing should be carried out every 7-10 days. Prepare shallow pots and loose sandy soil for planting, and ensure proper pruning and pinching of the branches and leaves. In February, propagate through cutting to ensure good growth.
1. Light and Temperature
Carnations enjoy sunlight and need to receive 6-8 hours of adequate light daily to accumulate nutrients for growth and flowering. It is important to maintain the temperature of their growing environment between 10°C and 30°C, with an optimal growth temperature of around 20°C.
2. Watering and Fertilizing
Carnations are usually watered according to the principle of watering when the soil feels dry, and each time, the watering should be thorough without积水. During the vigorous growth period, the soil should be kept moist by watering every 2 days. Continuous fertilization is required during their long growing period, with a thin application of fertilizer every 7-10 days.
3. Shallow Pots and Sandy Soil
Since carnation roots are not deep, shallow pots and breathable sandy soil should be prepared for planting to allow better root growth, thereby ensuring the plant's vigor. You can choose a mixture of peat soil, river sand, and vermiculite in a 1:1:1 ratio to maintain soil looseness and breathability.
4. Pruning and Pinching
For carnations to grow vigorously, it is important to regularly prune and pinch them. When they reach a height of 15cm, the top should be pinched off. After the branches sprout, pinching should be done again to retain an appropriate number of side branches to promote growth. Once the buds form, thinning should be done to ensure normal flowering.
5. Cutting Propagation
Propagation by cutting is commonly chosen for growing carnations, usually carried out in February when the climate is suitable. Strong branches are cut from the carnation, pruned, disinfected, and dried. Then, 2/3 of the branch is inserted into the sandy soil, and the soil is watered to moisten it. The branches will root in about 20 days.
The above is the complete introduction on how to properly care for carnations and the methods for growing them at home, for everyone to learn and understand!