Propagating and sowing carnations

Sow them

Carnation is a perennial that is easy to propagate by sowing. The seeds germinate in 1 to 3 months. Depending on the species, sowing occurs at different times of the year. Annual species are sown in February-March. Perennial, dwarf, and alpine species are sown from October to March under a frame. Finally, biennial species are sown in place in autumn or under cover in March-April.

• Sow in trays on the surface of light, moist compost
• Do not cover the seeds as they need light to germinate
• Keep your sowing at a temperature between 15-20 °C and in light
• Maintain this substrate moist but not waterlogged; germination, which is very variable depending on the varieties, takes from 7 days to 1 month
• Transplant the plants into buckets when the seedlings have two or three leaves
• Transplant them in May, into the open ground when the root system is sufficiently developed and frosts are no longer a risk

Taking cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is a simple and effective method for faithfully reproducing pinks. Moreover, this method offers a very good success rate.

• In summer, take a non-floriferous stem of a few centimetres by cutting just below a node. Remove the leaves from the base
• Plant two-thirds of the stem in a bucket in a light substrate made up of garden soil, sand, and potting soil
• Regularly moisten the cuttings and keep them sheltered
• After about 2 months, repot the cuttings into pots
• Plant out the following spring, in April-May when all risk of frost has passed

To learn more about propagation by cuttings

Discover our advice sheet: “Propagation by cuttings, everything you need to know about the different techniques and our tips for successful cuttings”