From our perspective as carnation plants (Dianthus spp.), successful growth from seed begins with you understanding our fundamental nature. We are perennial plants in ideal conditions, meaning our goal is to live for several years, flowering each season. However, many gardeners treat us as annuals or biennials. We require a period of cool weather after germination to initiate flowering; this process is called vernalization. We thrive in full sunlight, needing at least 6 hours of direct light daily to grow strong and produce our signature fragrant blooms. Well-draining, slightly alkaline soil is crucial for us, as our roots are highly susceptible to rot in heavy, waterlogged earth.
Our journey in your garden starts as a tiny, dark seed. Our seeds require light to germinate, so please do not bury us deeply. A light dusting of soil or vermiculite is sufficient. The ideal temperature for our germination is a cool 60-70°F (15-21°C). Warmer temperatures can inhibit our sprouting. Sow our seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last expected spring frost. This gives us the necessary head start. Keep the seed-starting mix consistently moist but not soggy. From our point of view, patience is key; it can take 2-3 weeks for us to emerge from the soil as delicate seedlings.
Once we break through the soil, our primary focus is on developing a robust root system and our first true leaves. We need very bright light at this stage to prevent us from becoming leggy and weak. A south-facing window or a grow light is ideal. As we grow our first set of true leaves (the ones that look like miniature carnation leaves), you can thin us out or transplant us into individual pots. Handle us gently by our leaves, not our fragile stems. This period is when you prepare us for the outdoors through a process called hardening off. Gradually expose us to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days, increasing our time outside each day. This acclimatizes us to the wind and sun, preventing shock.
When the danger of frost has passed and we are hardened off, it is time to move us to our permanent home in your garden. Choose a sunny spot with excellent drainage. Work some compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to give us a nutrient boost. Space us about 12 inches apart to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases that can afflict our foliage. When planting, set us in the ground at the same depth we were growing in our pots. Water us deeply after transplanting to help settle the soil around our roots. A layer of light mulch can help retain moisture and keep our roots cool.
As we mature, our needs are simple but specific. Water us at the base, keeping our foliage dry to prevent disease. We prefer deep, infrequent watering over frequent sprinklings. Once we are established, we are quite drought-tolerant. To encourage bushy growth and more blooms, you can pinch off the top inch of our stems when we are about 6 inches tall. After our first flush of flowers fades, deadhead us by cutting the spent flower stem back to a set of leaves. This signals to us to produce more blooms rather than expend energy on setting seed. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring can support our growth throughout the season.
