Overwintering new carnations.

[cheops]

I planted carnation seeds a couple of months ago and have them in small pots in a sheltered place to over winter with the intention of giving them a good start in the garden next spring. They are healthy and about 8 inches high. I noticed this morning some of them have small flower buds near the tips. As its almost October I don't think I should let them flower - rather I want strong plants flowering next spring onwards. Should I snip off any flower buds when they appear. Also should these buds be snipped off just below a bud or should I snip the whole flower stem away? As always all advice appreciated.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Hi Cheops!

Have never grown from seed, but have propagated from "Pipings" that being an unflowering stem plucked from the "Mother" plant, then planted in gritty compost, and am just about to do the same this next few day's with a few pot grown varieties I have, and very much like "Lavender" if left alone, the old root stem becomes "Woody" and production of flowering stems becomes very much depleted!

So can only think in the way that though they are young plant's, and believe it or not, they are actually classed as annual's, are trying to run a life cycle as to what an annual plant does, grow's, flower's, sets seed n dies! "Job Done"

But yeah! You want em to bush out, so nip out the bud, just below it, leave the stem intact, but take it out once side shoots produce, you'll know which one you clipped by the brown dead end!

[cheops]

Thx Deano. Very useful detailed advice. I intend to take 'pipings' next year when I see the colours and the ones I'd like to keep. I assume you can take pipings at any time??

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Yes you can! But the best time is really mid to late summer! then the plants are vibrant and in full swing, but as you can see from this



Here are my "Pipings"potted on today, a little late n a little sad, but will bag em, (Plastic bag over the pot to act as a mini greenhouse keeping in humidity) and put them in the propagator for a little bottom heat to encourage root growth! They will be fine!

[burnie]

Not being a flower grower, I take it the two pots full I have will be ok till the spring in my un heated greenhouse over winter?

[Snadger]

Not being a flower grower, I take it the two pots full I have will be ok till the spring in my un heated greenhouse over winter?

I would think so. I like pinks myself and have six differnt types. Today I snipped off the flower stems that had flowered and intend trying propagating from the plants next year. Mine are established plants so are outdoors.

[burnie]

If I leave mine outside the Polar Bears pee in 'em...................................................