Info about Carnations
Carnations
Carnations are perhaps one of the most popular flower in the world. Part of this could be attributed to the fact that carnations stay fresh looking long after they are cut. This could explain why lots of people use these beautiful flowers in boutonierres, corsages, and other flower arrangements. The carnation is also known as “dianthus” which is Greek meaning “flower of God”. It has also been said that the carnations first grew on Earth as a result of Mary’s tears when Jesus was carrying the cross. Carnations have been used in weddings and other special events since ancient times.
There are three types of carnations: large flowered, which only have one bloom per stem; dwarf size, which have several blooms per stem; and mini carnations, which have a bunch of small blooms on a stem. No matter what type of carnation, they still last a long time. Growing carnations can be fun even for a novice. Carnations are very easy to grow, and they grow in a variety of conditions. They can grow in rocky soil, a planter, or a garden. Carnations do best with full sunlight, very little water(too much makes them yellow) and mulching isn’t recommended so that the carnations may get enough air.
One can find carnations that are annual( only bloom once in a growing season), biannual(bloom twice in a growing season), and perennials, which come back every year to bloom. In North America, summers are usually too hot to grow carnations, so the norm is greenhouse grown carnations. Cuttings are usually taken from stock plants in early winter and the rooted in sand. They are set out in the fields in May and taken back to the greenhouse in July. They are then in bloom from Autumn until Spring, which could explain their popularity in January and again on Valentine’s Day. Some carnations are grown year round in climate controlled greenhouses.
It is best to buy carnations before they are fully opened. The different variations are best bought at different times. For example, it is best to buy large blooms when they are half opened, but pink carnations are best when they have only a few buds showing color. Carnations are also popular because they come in a great variety of colors and each color is symbolic of something. The most popular colors are white, pink, and red. White is most often worn on Mother’s Day to honor someones mother who isn’t there, either because of distance or death. Pink honors mothers who are alive and loved. White carnations also represent pure love and good luck. Carnations come in other colors as well, such as purple, light red, yellow(disappointment), green(St. Patrick’s Day) and striped. There are many other colors available as well. It is always a good idea to check and see the meaning of the colors before you give carnations. Someone may be offended if you send the wrong message. Some interesting facts about carnations: they are native to Eurasia, they were first used in garlands by the Greeks and Romans, and they are exotic to Australia, but have been grown commercially as a crop since 1954.