How to Grow Carnations in Pots
Carnations are perennial flowers with grey-green, grass-like leaf clumps. The flower stalks reach 6 to 24 inches in height. Single and double flowers are white, pink, purple, red, yellow and orange shades. Carnations bloom from spring through summer. Miniature carnations grow well in small pots while taller varieties need larger plant pots. Carnations add bright colors to patios and porches.
Mix together 3 parts potting soil, 3 parts peat moss and 1 part sand. Fill your container with this rich, good-draining soil mixture.
- Carnations are perennial flowers with grey-green, grass-like leaf clumps.
- Carnations bloom from spring through summer.
Plant your seedlings about 4 to 6 inches apart around your plant pot. Do not cover the crown of the carnation with soil or the seedling will die.
Insert a support in the middle of the container if you are growing a tall carnation variety. Use bamboo sticks or a small trellis less than 36 inches tall. As the flowers grow, loosely tie the flower stalks to the support with string.
Place the plant pot in a sunny location with afternoon shade if growing in a hot climate. Flood the container with water once a week. Allow the water to run out the bottom of the container.
- Plant your seedlings about 4 to 6 inches apart around your plant pot.
- Insert a support in the middle of the container if you are growing a tall carnation variety.
Feed carnations with 20-10-20 liquid fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks. Always water your carnations first before fertilizing.
Deadhead your carnation blossoms as they wilt and fade. This prolongs the blooming season of the carnations by encouraging more flower growth. Once all the flowers have died or have been harvested, cut the stems back to the soil level with gardening shears.
Tip
Carnations need 4 to 5 hours of sunlight each day to grow vigorously and keep your soil on the dry side since over-watering carnations turns their leaves yellow.
Warning
Carnations suffer from bacterial leaf spots, root rot and Fusarium wilt. Inspect your plants for disease often. Remove infected plants when they are found. Remove the infected soil and disinfect the plant pot with 1 part bleach and 9 parts water. Replace the soil with new, clean soil.
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References
Tips
- Carnations need 4 to 5 hours of sunlight each day to grow vigorously and keep your soil on the dry side since over-watering carnations turns their leaves yellow.
Warnings
- Carnations suffer from bacterial leaf spots, root rot and Fusarium wilt. Inspect your plants for disease often. Remove infected plants when they are found. Remove the infected soil and disinfect the plant pot with 1 part bleach and 9 parts water. Replace the soil with new, clean soil.
Writer Bio
Karen Carter spent three years as a technology specialist in the public school system and her writing has appeared in the "Willapa Harbor Herald" and the "Rogue College Byline." She has an Associate of Arts from Rogue Community College with a certificate in computer information systems.
