Mini-Carnations Also Know As Pinks


Gardening:

Mini-carnations? Depends on if it is a florist carnation, or a border carnation. They are very different. Both have limited bloomtime. Both need much deadheading to extent bloomtime. The florist carnation is not hardy.The border is. There is also a carnation called a pink. It is used more as an annual then perennial, because it is not reliable. Sometimes it comes back, sometimes not. I would enjoy your mini-carnation while it is in bloom, then set it aside when it is not. Water and care for it. Give it plenty of light. It will probably bloom a second time in the fall, or next spring. They are that unpredictable.

I think that by Mini Carnations, you mean Dianthus, also known as "Pinks". They are great plants for beginners. They are easy to care for, and have great flowers for containers. Get the best potting soil you can buy. Mix in some time release fertilizer and moisture retaining granuals. Some potting soils already have these added, so try to find that when you buy you soil. You will water less, the plant will stress less in-between watering and you will never have to fertilize again. When you water, thoroughly soak the soil. Don't get water on the plant. Then let the soil dry before you water again.

Don't over water them. Dianthus need sun to flower well.I have mine on the East side of my house, so they are shaded from the hot afternoon sun. I have had them there for four years. Unfortunately, Dianthus don't like humid conditions. So in the South, they are concidered annuals. They will not come back a second year.

One place that has fresh flowers and really cheap is Costco. If you have one around your area check them out. Another idea is to use flowers such as mini carnations instead of small rose buds in corsages. They are a lot less expensive. Alstroemeria is also inexpensive as are mums. And mums come in a variety of shapes. They also last along time.

You can find these type of flowers in bouquets sold at grocery stores. One grocery in the Chicago area that has a lot of loose flowers is Jewel. Check out your local grocers to see what they have. If you have hard water invest in a water filter and make sure you use flower food that is usually with the bunches. Mix exactly as the package says!

If you want to start from seed gently press the seed into a pot of good potting soil that is damp not soggy. Put the pot inside a plastic baggie and keep under a 40 watt shop light and germination will occur in about 2 weeks. When the seedlings have their 2nd set of leaves, you can gently prick the seedlings out and plant them in separate pots. You can plant them outdoors after all danger of frost is over. Make sure you place the seedlings in a place out doors, still in their separate pots, safe from direct sunlight and extremes in wind, temperatures and rain for 10 days.

This prepares the seedlings for being planted out directly in the sunlight. They will then need partial shade to full sunlight and watered at least once a week. Apply a general 10-10-10 fertilizer every 10-14 days. Pinch off spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for www.SendFlowers4.info/. SendFlowers4.info is a great place to shop for flowers, gift baskets, and plants when you are looking for a special gift. Start here to search by "Special Occasion": www.SendFlowers4.info/category/occasions.html.


Hot Topics In Gardening

    Building Greenhouses - Asking The Basic Questions

    "Of a truth, Knowledge is power, but it is a power reined by scruple, having a conscience of what must be and what may be; whereas Ignorance is a blind giant who, let him but wax unbound, would make i...

    Planning An Herb Garden With Culinary Herbs, Medicinal Herbs and Aromatic Herbs

    Planning an herb garden can be fun and rewarding. Herbs have been in use for centuries for culinary, medicinal and aromatic reasons. For generations tribal leaders and healers passed down the herbal s...

    Refresh Your Old Lawn

    Are you struggling with a poor lawn? Well, you might just as well do something drastic with it, such as spade it up and totally rebuild it. If you do, however, be careful not to build in the same mist...

    How to Choose the Perfect Outdoor Bar Stools for Your Backyard or Patio

    Outdoor bar stools are very cool choices if you want to spice up your outside setting. They're great for backyard household settings such as patios, gardens, beside the pool, in the yard or in a conse...

    Proven Aloe Vera Benefits And Uses

    While there are many claims as to Aloe Vera benefits and its uses, I would like to present some of the facts and information. I have been fortunate to be able to enjoy Aloe and its benefits.

    Aloe is...

    All About Liquid Organic Fertilizers

    Using organic fertilizers is a widely accepted practice in the agricultural industry. Farmers use them to cultivate their field and row crops, winemakers utilize them for growing grapes, and horticult...

    Best Lawn Care Equipment For Really Easy Lawn Care

    If you want the best looking lawn, or even just one that is good enough to look out on as you enjoy a beautiful day, you will need to put some effort in. To minimize that, mechanization could be your ...

    Guide To Growing Annuals

    Annuals are beautiful flowers that grace almost every garden. Depending on your zone, they will last only the season and die off in winter. Sometimes called bedding plants they are relatively inexpens...

    Making Your First Garden

    The first thing in garden making is the selection of a spot. Without a choice, it means simply doing the best one can with conditions. With space limited it resolves itself into no garden, or a box ga...

    Rose Diseases - All You Need To Know

    Roses are beautiful plants that many people enjoy growing in their gardens. But, there are some very common types of diseases that face roses no matter what type they are and no matter where they are ...

    Looking after your Wooden Garden Furniture

    John Duff of Garden Furniture Scotland has some key tips for how to best care for your wooden garden furniture, regardless of whether it is made from keruing, red or yellow balau, or jarra wood.

    The...

    Gardening Safety Tips

    Whether you have a green thumb or simply want to start learning the art of gardening, it's a good idea to be prepared for all of those little surprises that may pop up along the way. Perhaps you want ...

Most Recent Gardening Supplements

Newly Popular Home Living Articles

    10 Tips for Making Online Shopping Safe

    We've all heard how great Internet Shopping can be. You can buy things far cheaper, you can shop when you want to and there are no queues when you want to pay. With just a click of the mouse, shoppers...

    Marriage Books vs Marriage Counseling

    Is it possible to save a marriage through reading a book? Up until recently I would have said no, that marriage counseling was the only way to go. Having since read 'How to Save a Marriage' which is a...

    Are You Ready For An Integrated Home Theater System?

    It's one thing to have home theater but how about an integrated home theater system in your house?

    What do we mean by integrated? Simply how about the entire house being one complete entertainment s...

    How To Try And Save A Marriage

    "Can you still do something to save your dying marriage?"

    The fact is, there are lots of ways to save a dying marriage and prevent divorce. And if the couple wills it, they can successfully bring ba...

    Destination Weddings

    A gorgeous sunset in the background with an elegantly dressed man and woman dressed in a stunning dress is a great idea for a postcard from paradise. Why not make your wedding part of such picture per...

    How To Get The Most Out Of Marriage Counseling

    Life is not a bed of roses and, sometimes, neither is marriage. After the flowers and chocolates of the courtship days, the "I love you's" of the engagement and the "I do's and till death do us part' ...

    How To Choose Furniture For Your Garden

    Being able to eat and drink outside in the privacy of your garden on a summer's day is a truly delightful experience. In the UK, our summers can be short-lived, so we've got to make the best of them w...

    The Wonders of Access Control Security Systems

    Do you feel secured on your own home? Well, if you do not feel secured, then it is time for you to review and assess your security options.

    There should be no reasons why you should feel unsafe wit...

    How Reliable Are Home Theater Reviews?

    It's a growing trend. It's called home theater and many people are discovering what a wonderful entertainment aspect of their lives it is. Are you considering joining the club? Then you need to start ...

    EBay Buying: How Poor Spelling Delivers Great Bargains

    If you ever want to sell anything on Ebay Auctions make sure you take the time to read the excellent guidance published by Ebay itself.

    Fairly high up the list is the pretty commonsense idea that, b...

Interesting Today:

Most Recent Home Living Blogs:

Releated to Home Living:

Gardening Links: