All About Carnations: Everything You Need to Know About Carnations

Get to know carnations

When you are shopping for carnations at your local florist, have you wondered how many types of carnation are there?

There are various types of carnations but only 3 are well known – perpetual-flowering, border, and annual ones. Carnations are often called “Dianthus”, the scientific name of the plant that was given by Theopharastus (a Greek botanist). The name Dianthus was formed from 2 Greek Words – “dios”, alluding to the god Zeus, and “anthos”, which means flower. Thus, they are well known as “The Flowers of God”.

Scientific classification

Kingdom – Plantae; Division – Magnoliophyta; Class – Magnoliopsida; Order – Caryophyllales; Family – Caryophyllaceae; Genus – Dianthus.

Meanings of Carnations

Another motivation behind why carnations have turned out to be prevalent is on the grounds that they come in various colors that have distinct importance. A portion of these can be found below.

General meaning of Carnations – Fascination; Pink – Love of a mother; faint red – Admiration; Deep red  –  Woman’s Affection and Deep Love; White – Good Luck and Pure Love; Striped – Refusal, Regret; Green – St. Patrick’s Day; Purple – instability; Yellow – Dejection, Disappointment, .

Before you buy them as a gift for someone, it is a smart idea to check the significance of the specific shade or kind of carnation.

A History Lesson about Carnation Flowers

Though we can’t connect the link between these flowers and Jesus or the shepherds, there are numerous kinds of carnations that go back to the olden days. They were used as decor during the Roman and Greek times.

Back then, carnations did not come in a wide range of colors – they were just available in peach and pink shades. But now, carnations are available in many colors ranges – green, white, red, yellow, and purple.

What’s spectacular about the carnation is its perseverance ability. A wide range of carnations has persisted from one generation to another, speaking to ubiquitous feelings such as interest and love.

A Few Cool Facts

Carnations indicate distinction, interest, and love. They are local to Eurasia. Truly, Carnations were first utilized as garlands by Romans and Greeks. They are termed as exotic flowers in Australia however they become commercial flower crops in 1954. After the flowers are cut, they still keep booming. These flowers have turned out to be representative of affections of a mother and furthermore of Mother’s Day flower.

All about the Carnation Plant

One Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) flower has five petals that can come in pink, white or purple shades. However, cultivars of border carnation might have 2 flowers with a maximum of 40 petals. The plant can grow to a diameter of 6 – 8 cm when planted in the gardens. The petals are commonly serrated or torn.

Carnations are bisexual and sprout just in a forked or fanned bunch. The stamens can exist in a couple of whorls or in the same number or double the quantity of the petals. The leaves are tight and have no stalk and their shading can differ from dark blue to purple or green. The plant can grow so large, with full blossoms on straight and sturdy stems.

Carnations Types

There are mainly 3 cultivars of carnations:

1. Dwarf blossomed Carnations – 1 stem with many small flowers.
2. Mini/Spray Carnations – many small flowers.

• Large blossomed Carnations – 1 stem with one big flower.

Developing Carnations

• Carnations develop promptly from cuttings produced using the suckers that found growing around the stems. You can also use the shoots beside the blossoming stem, or the primary shoots before they bloom.
• In most cases, the base cuttings are the best choice to grow the plants.
• Take the plant cuttings whenever you want during winter or fall.
• They might be placed in pots until you are ready to plant out in spring (April) or whenever you can prepare and take care of the ground.
• Ensure you use friable, deep and sandy topsoil.

How to take care of Carnation Plant

• Carnations require a few hours of full sun every day and ought to be kept damp.
• Don’t water too frequently – the foliage might turn yellow in color.
• To promote blooming, remove the blossoms that are ready.
• The water system and soil type will determine the nature of the flowers that will be produced.
• Those who develop carnations should know the significance of squeezing, disbudding and halting.
• When plucking, remove the stem but leave behind 4 nodes.
• The plant foliage should be shielded from direct sun or stove heat.

They are way more than Decoration

While we are accustomed to seeing the stem of carnations featured in a beautiful flower bouquet, they also have other benefits.

• Therapeutic Uses

Almost everyone knows of lavender’s aromatic uses and the ability of Echinacea to boost the immune system. But most people did not know that carnations have some therapeutic effects. They have been used for quite some time to treat irritations and diminish swelling. Also, it is used to lessen period cramps, muscle strain, and symptoms of menopause.

• They can be eaten

They might look fragile but they have a strong clove-like smell. You can use them to garnish food or boil them in sugar to make syrups for cocktails and special desserts. Carnations have stood the trial of time—embellishing antiquated gatherings in shifting shades of pink and enchanting bloom sweethearts for centuries.

• Carnations have a few benefits for the skin

The carnation plant contains a high level of a chemical known as saponins. These are glycosides that are used to produce soaps. You can easily produce your very own natural cleanser by boiling the leaves in water. The outcome is a delicate cleanser for bathing or washing clothes. , it’s an exciting project to attempt even though most people this way of utilizing carnations is out of date. Carnation-infused oil can convey some astounding advantages to the skin – it can soothe inflamed and irritated skin. It can also alleviate skin conditions such as wrinkles, dermatitis, and rosacea.

Today, the carnation is suitable for all events or flower delivery. What’s more, it’s can add versatility to a hand bouquet – one can’t deny its humble appeal.