Dianthus chinensis grow and care – herbaceous of the genus Dianthus also known as China pink or Dianthus caryophyllus, Dianthus chinensis perennial evergreen or annual in cold climate used as ornamental plant for the flowers and the leaves, can grow in mediterranean, subtropics or temperate climate and growing in hardiness zone 10b-11 as perennial or hardiness zone 3-9 as annual plant.
Leaves color green-gray, the leaves elliptic shape.
Dianthus chinensis flowers
Flower color pink, white or red can be more than one color, the border sometimes prominent in stronger color, the flower has five petals with jagged edges.
Dianthus chinensis for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
Slightly alkaline, well drain soil, moist in the blooming season, mulch
How to care: Add fertilizer in the spring before blooming
What is the best way to start growing? Plant / Seed (care explanation bellow) / Vegetative reproduction by cutting
How to propagate by cutting: Propagating cutting need to be above 20-25C (68-77F) also the water can’t be cold, high humidity, better in half shade for cutting on the water need to switch the soil every few days in growing, to put the stems in soil need moist soil and water it with spray better to use growth hormone and peat soil, better to take stem that didn’t bloom yet and doesn’t have buds on it
Is it necessary to use vegetative reproduction? No, but it’s easy to start from cutting although it’s not hard to start by seeds, from cutting can ensure the color of the flowers.
Difficulties or problems when growing: Toxic to dog
Recommended planting season – when to plant? Spring as annual plant, as perianal in hardiness zone 10b-11 possible all year better not in the winter.
How to plant – planting instructions: Planting in bigger hole and put organic matter, chopped dead leaves and humus, put the plant and cover it lightly, in the first weeks better to watering every day until the plant establish
Pests and diseases: Gall, rust, mealy bugs, aphids
Pruning season: Autumn to winter but deadheads directly after the flower die
How to prune: Stem of the flower after the flower dies and for design
Size of the plant? 20-50 cm, 8-20 inches
Growth speed in optimal condition: Fast growing / Medium growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun possible to grow in half shade and in cold climate will bloom less in hot climate grow well in half shade
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a pots, planter, flowerpot, containers: Yes, when grow in container, size 5-10 liter (1-2 gallon), average amount of water that needed, it’s to keep the soil moist and the water go out of the pot, better not to use bottom for the pot, when it’s grow as perennial every two years to switch soil, and prune part of the roots and the plants, soil need to be well ventilated with good drainage, rich with organic matter, can us in potting mix or peat soil with perlite or vermiculite, when grow as annual better to use new soil mix, in pot need to fertilizer twice a year once before blooming and other in the middle of the blooming season, when grow indoor be aware that need to grow it in location with at least half shade and when grow it outdoor the amount of water change by the amount of sun exposure.
Blooming information
Bloom season: Spring, summer, autumn
General information about the flower Pink, white or red can be more than one color, the border sometimes prominent in stronger color.
How to grow Dianthus chinensis from seeds
Sowing requirement: Temperature 16-21C (61-90F), moist soil, humidity
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark location
Sowing season – when to plant: Spring or autumn it’s more important the temperature and possible to germinate in the winter in the right temperatures
How to plant: Better to put the seeds on vermiculite it’s help them to germinate
Planting spacing: 15*20cm (6-8 inches)
Depth of Sowing: On the soil or 0.5cm (0.25 inch)
Conditions for seeds germinate: High humidity, light moist, sunlight
Watering requires for Seeds: Average amount of water /
