Content
Carnation Lilipot is a cold-resistant hybrid. The plant is grown outdoors or at home. The group includes carnations with flowers of various colors: from white, soft pink to rich red tones. Compact bushes require minimal care.
general description
Carnation Lilipot is a perennial plant developed by the Japanese company Sakata. Since 1913, the company has been breeding and creating new varieties of vegetables and flowers.
The Lillipot series includes several varieties of dwarf carnations with compact sizes. The height of the bushes is 25 cm, the plants branch well. The short stature of the carnation is genetic; the plant does not need to be pinched and formed into a bush.
There are several varieties of Lilipot carnations, which differ in the color of the inflorescences. Seeds of both individual varieties and mixtures are available for sale.
The main varieties of Lilipot carnations:
- white;
- lavender pink;
- light lilac;
- scarlet;
- orange;
- lilac;
- yellow.
Carnation produces large double flowers with a diameter of up to 6 cm. Flowering lasts continuously throughout the summer. By eliminating fading inflorescences, the formation of new buds is stimulated.
The growing season of the plant ranges from 16 to 20 weeks.The flower is grown as an annual or biennial plant. Inflorescences form 5-6 months after seed germination.
Carnation Lillipot is grown in summer cottages; at home, the flower grows in a pot on the balcony or windowsill. In landscape design, the flower is used to decorate borders and modular flower beds. Flowers are suitable for planting along paths, alleys, fences, and building walls.
Growing from seeds
Lillipot carnations can be grown year-round. Flowers will decorate a balcony, garden or summer cottage. The crop is in demand in the flower market. First, seedlings are obtained at home, which are transplanted into pots or into an open area.
Soil preparation
Seeds are planted from January to April to ensure flowering of the bush in the summer. To force plants by the beginning of spring, seeds are planted in July-August.
When propagated by seeds, Lillipot carnations are planted in slightly acidic soil. The soil chosen is light, peaty, and weakly acidic. It is recommended to take soil from a garden plot or purchase ready-made flower soil.
Boxes intended for growing seedlings are filled with soil. The soil is compacted and moistened with warm water from a spray bottle. It is convenient to plant seeds in cassettes measuring 2x2 cm. Then the seedlings do not require picking.
Clove seeds are stored in the refrigerator. A day before planting, they are transferred to a warm place. Planting material is placed on the soil surface in increments of 2 cm. When using cassettes, one seed is placed in each cell.
Carnation Lillipot germinates in good light.Therefore, the seeds are pressed into the soil or a thin layer of earth is poured on top.
The plantings are covered with plastic film. Turn it over periodically to remove condensation. Seed germination occurs at temperatures from +18 to +20 °C. The first shoots will appear in a week.
Seedling care
After emergence of seedlings, the film is removed, and young plants are provided with partial shade. To prevent seedlings from stretching, the temperature is lowered to +15 °C.
When propagated by seeds, the Lilipot carnation is provided with certain care:
- regular ventilation;
- watering with warm water;
- feeding when 2 leaves appear with a solution of calcium nitrate in the amount of 1 g per 1 liter of water;
- continuous lighting for 14-18 hours.
To get a branched and compact bush, seedlings are pinched above the second pair of leaves. The top can be rooted to produce another plant.
After 6-7 weeks, the plants are transplanted into containers 9-10 cm high. The substrate is obtained from peat, light soil, humus and river sand in a ratio of 3:1:1:1. After 10 days, the plants are fed with potassium nitrate. For 10 liters of water, take 15 g of fertilizer.
Landing in the ground
In May-June, the Lillipot carnation is transferred to an open area. The plant prefers lighted places and light fertile soil. Carnations are planted on rocky and sandy soils. The flower actively develops next to stones that heat up in the sun.
In order for the plants to quickly adapt to natural conditions, they are hardened off in the fresh air 3 weeks before planting. In a room with plantings, open a window or move the boxes to the balcony.
Procedure for transplanting Lillipot carnations:
- Preparation of planting holes in increments of 10-15 cm.
- Abundant watering of plants.
- Transferring cloves without destroying the earthen clod and burying it.
- Covering the roots with soil and watering them abundantly.
For transplantation, choose the morning or evening period; during the day, work is carried out in cloudy weather. It is not recommended to bury seedlings, otherwise the plant will begin to hurt and may die.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings allow you to preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant. To propagate Lilipot carnations, cuttings are taken in late May or early June. Adult carnations are propagated in the spring after removing the cover or before transplanting into open ground.
Select a shoot 10 cm long and 3 nodes from the plant, cut it off, and remove the lower pair of leaves. An incision is made on the cutting, after which it is placed in a moistened substrate.
Another way to propagate Lilipot carnations is to divide the bush. First, the plant is dug up by the roots, after which it is divided into 2-3 parts with a sharp knife. On new bushes, damaged roots, inflorescences and shoots are removed. After planting in a permanent place, the flowers are watered abundantly.
Caring for carnations
Carnation Lilipot requires minimal care, including watering and loosening the soil. To stimulate flowering, plantings are fed with mineral fertilizers. The flower is compact in size and does not need pruning during the growing season.
Watering and fertilizing
Carnations are watered moderately when the top layer of soil dries out; during drought, plants require more moisture. For irrigation, take warm, settled water and apply it at the root. Watering is left in the morning or evening hours, when there is no direct sunlight.
After adding moisture, the soil is loosened to ensure oxygen access to the roots. After loosening, the absorption of moisture and nutrients by cloves improves.
Regular feeding helps stimulate the formation of new shoots. For processing, take complex flower fertilizer and dilute it with water. Cloves are watered with a nutrient solution every 10 days.
Diseases and pests
If agricultural practices are followed, the Lilipot carnation rarely gets sick or is attacked by insects. High humidity increases the risk of fungal diseases spreading.
For prevention, plants are watered with solutions of Vitaplan, Previkur Energy or Trichocin. After dissolving in water, the resulting product is watered at the root of the plant. An interval of 25-30 days is made between treatments.
Dianthus attracts cutworms, thrips, nematodes, spider mites and other pests. For preventive purposes, plants and soil are sprayed with insecticides Eforia, Mospilan, Aktara. The work of the drugs is aimed at paralyzing insects upon their contact with the active substances.
Wintering
When grown as an annual in the fall, the cloves are dug up along with the roots when the last inflorescences wither. It is recommended to burn the plant to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.
The flower tolerates cold temperatures down to -10 °C. Under snow cover, the plant can withstand frosts down to -27 °C.
When grown in warm climates, it is left without shelter. Before wintering, dry shoots and inflorescences of the Lilipot carnation are cut off.
The shelter is built after sub-zero temperatures have established. When snow falls, you can throw it over the plants for additional protection from frost. In the spring, after the snow melts, the mulch and covering material are removed.
Another option for overwintering Lilipot carnations is to dig up a bush and plant it in a pot. The shoots are pruned and the flower is kept at home. In winter, the intensity of watering is reduced and fertilizing is not performed. In spring, carnations are transferred to open ground.
Conclusion
Carnation Lilipot is an unpretentious perennial that can decorate alpine hills, areas with rocky and poor soil. The plant is compact, takes up little space and requires minimal care. Abundant flowering is ensured with regular watering, fertilizing and good lighting.
The plant is grown from seeds. The seedlings are provided with the necessary conditions, after which they are transferred to the beds or left in room conditions. If you have a mother bush, you can get cuttings from side shoots.
