Carnations - Pinks

[Wobblycogs]

Morning folks.

I ordered some carnation plants last month. They arrived this morning, but to my 'amazement' (well surprise anyway) they were tiny plants in thimble-sized containers. (A fairy's thimble too; they are so small!) They look well and strong of course, so I want to make sure they survive. As I know they have to be potted on, I have just ordered some nice new little potties!

Problem is, I can't seem to find anything on-line regarding when to plant them out. I don't have a greenhouse so I can't overwinter them properly. (I might be able to make a cold-frame before the worst weather sets in.)

So is it going to be safe to plant them out in the autumn, after they have gained a little height? Or should I find someone with all the facilities and give them to a grateful new owner?

Thanks folks. I am obliged.

John

 

[CanadianLori]

According to what I've read, they like the cooler temps but certainly not freezing. I have a bunch of them that I grew in a shady area in an attempt to keep them cooler than the other beds but to my surprise, these dwarf plants grew to some 16" and I was not prepared for that so they are falling all over the place. I started a new batch a week ago in a pot that has supports attached and plan to grow them in the greenhouse in the fall/early winter then shift them to my basement under lights. The basement is cool so am hoping this will work.

I would think that if you put them in containers, you could shift them as needed, just like I plan to do.

I love the smell of carnations and that is why I am growing them. Now even funerals don't smell as nice anymore because everyone is using scentless flowers so as not to offend those with olfactory issues. Stupid.

Let us know how yours do!

 

[Wobblycogs]

That's an idea Lori. I have some spare containers hanging about. I'll consider that.

I never heard of scentless flowers; and I struggle to see the point of them. Flowers serve two main purpose as far as humans are concerned; they look nice and they small nice. They also happen to help other plants propagate, via the bees and the birds; and the scent is surely a part of that process.

Thank you for that.

Regards
John

 

[Beth_B]

I also love the scent of carnations, in fact one of my favourite soaps is Roger & Gallet Carnation scented soap, smells exactly like the real thing.
No advice on growing them as I never have, but I agree with @CanadianLori that scentless flowers are stupid.

 

[CanadianLori]

I also love the scent of carnations, in fact one of my favourite soaps is Roger & Gallet Carnation scented soap, smells exactly like the real thing.
No advice on growing them as I never have, but I agree with @CanadianLori that scentless flowers are stupid.

Ohhhhh, carnation scented soap. Going to find that right now! Thank you.

you are most welcome John. I do a lot of container growing. It's my version of gardening for dummies as I am pretty clueless about flowers.

 

[CanadianLori]

Oops, a little bit more than what I am willing to pay, $328.35 for a box!!!

 

[Beth_B]

Oops, a little bit more than what I am willing to pay, $328.35 for a box!!!

Whut? Maybe you were looking at crate pricing?

OK, I know Canadian dollars are a bit different but in USD through Amazon I pay $28.00, and because it's fine-milled those three soaps last the better part of a year. It's been a tradition in my family for decades because my mother loves it so one of us kids always buys some for her at Christmas, and I buy myself a box at the same time. I still have some, from last December.
http://www.amazon.com/Roger-Gallet-Carnation-Perfumed-Boxed/dp/B001O4G1H2

 

[CanadianLori]

Thank you, must have been a crate I looked at!

 

[Beth_B]

Thank you, must have been a crate I looked at!

Yeah, I know it's expensive soap even at $28 for three bars, that's why it is a once a year luxury/gift buy.

 

[Pat]

Carnation scented soap is new to me, I love carnations. I have never thought of growing them. I will have to look into starting a pot for myself.

 

[CanadianLori]

Whut? MaybI you were looking at crate pricing?

OK, I know Canadian dollars are a bit different but in USD through Amazon I pay $28.00, and because it's fine-milled those three soaps last the better part of a year. It's been a tradition in my family for decades because my mother loves it so one of us kids always buys some for her at Christmas, and I buy myself a box at the same time. I still have some, from last December.
http://www.amazon.com/Roger-Gallet-Carnation-Perfumed-Boxed/dp/B001O4G1H2

Followed the link a couple of times because I thought i did something wrong. It takes me to a listjng for 3 bars at $210. USD.

 

[Kansas Terri]

Followed the link a couple of times because I thought i did something wrong. It takes me to a listjng for 3 bars at $210. USD.

That is an incredible price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I grew carnations for the first time ever this year, and so this year was the first time I had ever SMELLED one! I had only seen the scentless ones the florists use!

The scent really is wonderful!

 

[ChanellG]

I have a new carnation plant I purchased a couple months ago; if I recall, it is cold hardy. However, cold hardy for me and cold hardy for you are two different things. I suggest you prepare to protect your from extreme cold. Anything below freezing can do damage, even if it doesn't kill the plant.

 

[Becky]

I agree with Lori We had such a mild winter last year, so hopefully they will be ok outside - and if not you can move them easily if they're in pots.

 

[Wobblycogs]

I started the potting on of 40 carnation plants thi afternoon. I don't have a greenhouse, so I am hoping to finish a garden cold-frame during the next week , so I can overwinter them. I am hoping for a nice display in the borders next year!
Forlorn hope or not, I am going to try it!"