Grow Carnations from Seed - It's Easy!
by Jeanne Rose, UC Master Gardener

One of my hobbies is growing flowering plants from seed. At various times and with varying degrees of success I have tried asters, carnations, cosmos, delphiniums, pansies, scabiosa, snapdragons, statice, stocks and, of course, the old standbys sweetpeas and zinnias. My absolute favorite plants to grow from seed are carnations. Why carnations? Lots of reasons. Carnation plants live for several years. They bloom from spring until frost the first year they are planted. They are an excellent cut flower with a long vase life. There are colors galore to choose from (some even have contrasting stripes). But above all else, I like the heavenly spicy fragrance of carnation flowers.

Growing carnations from seed is extremely easy. My favorite to grow is the Chabaud series, or florist-type (not the border-type). Any container is fine. If you wish you can recycle half-gallon milk cartons by stapling the opening shut, laying the carton on one side, stabbing a few slits on one side for drainage and cutting out the opposite side. Other "recycled" containers work equally well. January and February are the best months to sow carnation seeds. Here's my step-by-step procedure: Use any good potting mix for your soil and fill the carton to about an inch from the top. Scatter the seeds evenly over the surface and then lightly cover them with soil. Water sparingly and insert the container into a clear plastic bag (a produce bag from the grocery store will do), and seal with a twist tie. The bag maintains an ideal level of humidity, which aids seed germination. My kitchen stove is a gas range with pilot lights and has a work surface between the burners. I use the heat from the top pilot lights as a source of bottom heat for my seedlings. By doing this I have seedlings emerge in 2-3 days. If you don't have a bottom-heat source, you can still start carnations from seed indoors; germination will just take a little longer.

After a good percentage of the seedlings have emerged, I remove the container from the bag and set it out into direct sun. It is early enough in the season so sunburn should not be a problem, but don't forget to water as necessary to prevent the soil from drying. When 2-3 true leaves have developed, it's time to repot into six-packs or other small containers to allow root and shoot growth to continue.

This method works for many kinds of flowers and vegetables, especially tomatoes and peppers, but pay attention to the proper planting season. Tomato and pepper seedlings need to be kept indoors with as much light as possible until after frost danger or until they can be planted outdoors with some type of frost protection. Other seedlings started later in the year should be gradually exposed to sunlight, beginning with 20 minutes per day at first and increasing time until they receive the amount of sunlight they require, whether it's partial shade or full sunlight.

When the carnation plants are 4-5 inches tall, it's time to plant them into the garden. For the first year, I like to plant my seedlings into what I call a nursery row. My nursery is located between my newly planted fruit trees in the "south forty". I allow the plants to sprawl. When they begin blooming in the spring, I pull out the plants with single flowers in favor of those with double blossoms. During the summer and fall, I observe plant vigor, bloom color, and growth habit so I can match them to the perfect permanent location in my garden.

In winter, I cut back the plants to 2-3 inches above the ground and transplant them to their final spot in the garden. For straight cutting stems, I provide some support (like bamboo rods) once the new growth begins in the spring. Besides cutting blossoms, the only maintenance needed is deadheading, feeding, and watering.

Don't expect your garden carnation blossoms to be as large as commercially grown hothouse carnations. Remember those growers supply ideal amounts of light, water, humidity, temperature, and nutrition to their carnation crop 24 hours a day. However, I think you'll agree your carnations are hands-down winners when you compare the robust spice fragrance of your garden-grown carnations with those from the florist.

February 8, 2001