Taking cuttings and sowing carnations

Sowing them

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

• Sow in a tray on the surface of a light, moist compost
• Do not cover the seeds which need light to germinate
• Keep your sowing at a temperature between 15-20°C and in the light
• Keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged; germination, which varies greatly depending on the variety, takes from 7 days to 1 month
• Transplant the young plants into buckets when the seedlings have two or three leaves
• Transplant them in May, into open ground when the root system is sufficiently developed and the risk of frost has passed

Taking cuttings

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

• In summer, take a non-floriferous stem a few centimetres long by cutting below a node. Remove the leaves from the base
• Plant two-thirds of the stem in a bucket with a light compound of garden soil, sand and compost
• Water the cuttings regularly 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 different techniques and our tips for successful cuttings”