Hello! I am a carnation, a plant that thrives on bright, direct light and cool, fresh air. To feel at home with you, I need a spot right by a south or west-facing window where I can bask in at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Without it, I become leggy and my flower production will sadly cease. I also prefer a cool room, with temperatures ideally between 50-70°F (10-21°C). I struggle in the stale, hot air from heating vents, so good air circulation is key to keeping my leaves healthy and preventing pests.
My roots despise being waterlogged. They need to breathe! Please plant me in a pot that has excellent drainage holes and use a light, well-draining potting mix. A standard potting soil amended with some perlite or coarse sand is perfect. This ensures that when you quench my thirst, the excess water can escape freely, preventing my roots from rotting in soggy conditions. A cramped pot also makes me unhappy; choose one that gives my roots a little room to grow, but not so large that the soil stays wet for too long.
My watering needs are simple: I like a consistent drink, but I need to dry out slightly between waterings. Please check my soil first—push your finger about an inch down. If it feels dry, it’s time for a thorough watering until you see it run out of the drainage holes. Then, always empty the saucer beneath me. I hate wet feet! As for food, I am a moderate feeder. During my active growing and blooming season (spring and summer), a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 4-6 weeks will give me the energy to produce my beautiful, fragrant flowers for you.
To keep me blooming profusely, there is one very important task: deadheading. As my flowers begin to fade and brown, please snip them off just above a set of leaves. This tells me to stop putting energy into producing seeds and to start creating new flower buds instead. Regularly removing these spent blooms will encourage me to continue flowering for a much longer period. After a major bloom cycle, a light pruning of my stems can also help me maintain a bushy, attractive shape.
Even with the best care, I can sometimes feel under the weather. If my leaves develop a grayish, fuzzy mold, it is likely botrytis, caused by poor air circulation and wet foliage. Please ensure my leaves stay dry when watering and improve airflow around me. Spider mites might also visit if the air is too dry; they leave fine webbing and cause stippling on my leaves. A regular misting or a gentle spray of water can help deter them. Yellowing leaves often signal overwatering—check my soil moisture and adjust your routine accordingly.
