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Step 1
Start seeds indoors in early February in potting soil and barely cover with soil. Cover them with sheet of glass or plastic to hold in moisture and place in bright light or sun. Seeds will germinate in about 2 weeks.
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Step 2
Move starts to a cool sunny room and keep moist once sprouted. When seedlings are 3 inches tall, transplant into individual pots.
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Step 3
Harden off when temperature is above freezing by taking plants outside during the day.
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Step 4
Transfer into the garden in 3 to 4 months.
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Step 1
Propagate perennials by seed or by dividing.
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Step 2
Dig up the clump and pull apart to separate into segments.
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Step 3
Replant and water well.
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Step 1
Choose a location with light afternoon shade and 4 to 5 hours of full sun.
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Step 2
Place in well draining soil. Most species prefer slightly alkaline soil. Sweet Williams, carnations and cottage pinks like rich soil. For Alpine types, add lime if soil is acidic.
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Step 3
Dig up 1 foot of clay soil and add kelp meal and cotton seed meal. Use bone meal instead of cotton seed meal for acidic soil. Mix 1/3 of clay soil with compost, sand, gravel or perlite for drainage and refill trench.
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Step 4
Plant seeds 12 to 18 inches apart and 1/8 inch deep.
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Step 1
Water when dry.
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Step 2
Fertilize lightly with all purpose fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season.
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Step 3
Deadhead by taking off the old flowers. After the flowers have died, cut the stems to ground level.
Comments
sha4852 said
on 6/9/2009 I have purchased an annual dianthus in the past and have been surprised when it came up again the following spring.