From our perspective as carnation plants (Dianthus caryophyllus), a thriving existence depends on humans understanding our fundamental needs. We are not overly demanding, but to reward you with our famously fringed, clove-scented blooms, you must listen to our silent language. Here is a complete guide to our care, spoken from the plant's point of view.
First and foremost, we crave the sun. We are children of light, requiring a minimum of six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day to photosynthesize effectively and produce the vibrant pigments in our petals. Without it, our stems become weak and spindly, and our blooms will be sparse or non-existent. As for our feet—our roots—they despise being wet and cold. Plant us in well-draining soil; soggy conditions are a death sentence, leading to rot. A neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH is our preference, as it allows us to best absorb the nutrients we need from the earth around us.
Water is life, but moderation is key. Our watering needs are simple: we desire a deep, thorough drink that reaches our entire root system, followed by a period where the top inch of soil can dry out. This cycle encourages our roots to grow strong and deep in search of moisture, which in turn stabilizes our entire form. Please, avoid the temptation to sprinkle us lightly every day. Water us at the base, keeping our foliage dry to prevent the fungal diseases we so dread. Overwatering makes us gasp for air and our roots turn to mush.
To produce our large, showy flowers, we require a steady supply of energy. While we can survive in average soil, we truly thrive with supplemental feeding. As we are primarily grown for our blooms, a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the package) is ideal. Feed us this every four to six weeks during our active growing and blooming season. This provides the specific nutritional support we need to channel our energy into creating the spectacular, ruffled flowers you admire so much.
This is perhaps the most crucial act of care you can perform for us. Once a flower has wilted and begun to fade, its biological purpose shifts from attraction to seed production. This process, called "deadheading," is your signal to intervene. By carefully snipping off the spent bloom just above a set of leaves, you redirect our energy. Instead of wasting resources on creating seeds, we will pour that vitality into producing new side shoots and, ultimately, a fresh wave of buds. Consistent deadheading is the secret to a long and prolific blooming season.
Over time, especially for perennial varieties, our center can become woody and less productive. To maintain a compact, bushy, and vigorous form, we benefit from a more significant pruning. After our main spring flowering flush has passed, you can cut back our stems by about one-third. This might seem drastic, but it stimulates new, healthy growth from the base, preventing us from becoming leggy and ensuring we remain a dense, floriferous plant for seasons to come.
