Largest Variety of Carnations

[kmn0601]

Hi all,

I want to get more into growing carnations. When I've grown them before, I always got the regular little packet of seeds. This time around I want to get the larger varieties of carnations. Does anyone know of a good source for seeds or any larger varieties of carnations? I've grown the spray varieties but now I want to grow the large ones most often found in arrangements. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Marck]

Greetings, welcome to the Forums.

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus), also known as Clove Pinks, in the Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae), originally native to southeastern Europe.

There are several cultivated forms of Carnations including Border Carnations for the garden, Spray Carnations, and Florist's Carnations, also known a Perpetual-flowering Carnations. These are considered hybrids, perhaps with D. chinensis and/or D. plumarius.

If you are interested in the largest-flowered carnations, you may wish to try Perpetual-flowering Carnations. Many of these forms are mostly propagated by cutting, though of course new varieties are cross-bred and grown from seed. They are mostly grown commercially in greenhouses, as they are considered less adaptable to garden culture, though this may vary with climate and cultivar.

Growing large and long-stemmed flowers on a carnation is as much a matter of disbudding and staking as breeding. overall, growing large-flower carnations will take more effort, though hopefully the rewards will be commensurate.

You might find seed of some type of perpetual-flowering carnation sold online, but I would recommend that you start with the purchase of choice cultivars from a specialist nursery.
Of course, you might potentially root the stems of Carnations sold in a florist's shop, That is if the stems are fresh and your propagation skills are sufficient.