carnation

Carnations (Dianthus AMERICAN PIE GEORGIA PEACH PIE) should be watered on a regular basis to keep the soil evenly moist. In general, water your carnations about once a week, although this frequency may vary depending on the season and your environment. If temperatures and humidity are high, your plant may need to be watered more often. Conversely, if the soil is already moist, you can skip a week. During the growing season (spring through fall), make sure to water your carnations thoroughly; enough so that about 1 inch of water has been absorbed into the soil and the surface of the potting mix has the appearance of being ‘soaked’. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. During the colder winter months, reduce watering to allow the soil to dry out more so that the plants receive the rest they need to thrive. Generally, if the soil is still moist you can wait another day or 2 before watering.

Carnation (Dianthus American Pie Georgia Peach Pie) plants thrive best in full sun, which means receiving more than 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. They should be planted in late spring or early summer in well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. While the plant is still young, it should be kept lightly moist and protected from strong winds. Once it is established, carnations should not need supplemental watering, with the exception of very dry climates where an occasional deep soaking may be necessary.

Carnations (Dianthus AMERICAN PIE GEORGIA PEACH PIE) should be pruned mid-spring, before new growth emerges, to control their size and shape and to encourage full, bushy and healthy growth. Pruning should be done with sharp, sterile pruning shears, making sure to cut back any dead, diseased, or damaged stems followed by any stems that are excessively long or have sparse blooms. Prune backsides of carnations to the first healthy side bud or flush with the new stem since carnations bloom on new growth. Deadhead spent blooms regularly and pinch off new buds to force more even and larger blooms. Finally, keep the plants well-watered, fertilized and mulched.

Seed Propagation, Division, Cutting, Layering Propagation