How To Take Care Of Carnation Flowers

Cover annual carnations with a light organic mulch in the fall to protect them from winter temperatures.

How to take care of carnation flowers. Cut back mounding varieties to within 6 inches of the soil line after blooming to encourage a second flowering. Some gardeners might find aphids feeding on the flower stems and gardeners can remove them by spraying them off with a hose. 3 similarly it is vital that the soil in which you plant carnations is as far as possible porous and calcareous. Carnation flies can also be a problem laying eggs on the leaves of your carnations.

Carnation plants can be rejuvenated by splitting their root masses into separate plants. Providing the carnation with proper care will help to ensure vigorous plant growth and flowering. Provide at least 1 inch of water per week but avoid getting the flower petals or foliage wet. 1 plant or position in the case of container specimens the carnations in a site that receives.

Pinch off the flowers as they become spent to encourage additional blooming. Wet foliage may encourage fungal leaf spots. Neem oil acts as an organic pesticide keeping the bugs off of your plants. You also can bring plants or cuttings indoors during the winter place them in a cool.

Add compost when planting then mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Dig a hole and keep the root ball level with the soil surface pressing soil down firmly when you backfill around the plant. Use a sandy type of soil for the carnations as these plants grown best in moist soil. Pinch off any flower buds that grow on the sides of the stems if you want cut flowers and leave only one bud at the top of the stem.

Replant the divided parts and give them a good watering. To do this dig up an older carnation plant and use your hands to separate it into two. You should not let the plant dry out until it is established. Loosely tie plant stem to the stake with a piece of twine or fabric strip.

Support your growing carnation plant with a stake positioned near the base of the plant to discourage stem breakage. Planting your dianthus alongside garlic will prevent carnation. How to plant carnations space plants about 6 to 12 inches apart. In many cases they will emerge again the following spring.

At the end of the flowering season cut your carnation stems to ground level. If aphids become a problem spray the plants with neem oil.