Carnation Seeds - Picotee Mix

The Carnation Seeds – Picotee Mix offers a delightful blend of colors, featuring the signature picotee edges that create a striking contrast against the soft, pastel centers. This colorful variety brings vibrancy and charm to any garden or floral arrangement, with its mix of pink, red, white, and yellow blooms. Known for its beauty and fragrant flowers, the Picotee Mix is perfect for adding a burst of color to borders, beds, and containers.

Key Benefits

• Vibrant Color Variety: Includes a mix of colors with contrasting picotee edges, creating a beautiful and dynamic display.
• Fragrant Blooms: Emits a pleasant spicy fragrance, ideal for sensory gardens and cut flowers.
• Long-Lasting Flowers: Produces long-lasting blooms that brighten your garden for weeks.
• Compact and Bushy: Ideal for small gardens or container planting, growing into a neat, dense plant.
• Cold Hardy: Performs well in cooler climates, offering reliable growth and colorful blooms.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Compact, bushy plants with strong stems that support the colorful blooms.
• Flower Size: Medium to large flowers, approximately 2–3 inches in diameter, with distinct picotee edges.
• Bloom Color: A blend of pink, red, white, and yellow flowers, each with contrasting edges.
• Growth Habit: Bushy and upright, perfect for borders, beds, or container gardens.
• Height: Reaches 12–18 inches tall, making it ideal for smaller spaces or front-of-border planting.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or sow directly outdoors after the last frost has passed.
• Best planted in early spring or late summer for optimal growth and blooms.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Sow seeds about 1/8 inch deep.
• Spacing: Space plants 8–12 inches apart to allow room for air circulation and growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, especially in warmer climates.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases and ensure better growth.

Fertilization

• Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 4–6 weeks during the growing season to encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

Pruning and Deadheading

• Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming and maintain plant appearance.
• Trim the plants lightly after blooming to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth.

Pest and Disease Control

• Keep an eye out for aphids or thrips, which can damage the flowers. Use organic insecticidal soap to treat infestations.
• Prevent fungal diseases by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding wetting the foliage.

Harvesting

Maturity

• Blooms are ready for cutting approximately 80–100 days after planting.

Harvesting Blooms

• Cut flowers early in the morning when the blooms are partially open for the longest vase life.
• Use sharp scissors or pruners, cutting stems at an angle just above a node.

Storage

Short-Term

• Store freshly cut carnations in clean water, changing the water every 2–3 days to prolong their freshness.
• Keep vases in a cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight for longer-lasting blooms.

Long-Term

• Carnations can be dried or pressed for crafting or decorative purposes, preserving their color and shape.

Culinary Uses

• Edible petals can be used to garnish salads, desserts, or drinks, adding both color and flavor to culinary presentations.
• The colorful edges of the Picotee Mix make it a particularly striking garnish.

Conclusion

The Carnation Seeds – Picotee Mix is the perfect choice for gardeners looking to add a colorful, fragrant touch to their outdoor spaces. With its vibrant mix of colors, long-lasting blooms, and versatile uses, this variety is ideal for creating a dynamic garden display or enhancing floral arrangements. Compact and hardy, the Picotee Mix is perfect for smaller gardens, containers, or as a beautiful border plant. Bring beauty and fragrance to your garden with the Picotee Mix carnation today!