Carnation Enfante de Nice Mix

Soil Preparation

Soil Types:

• Sandy soils: Improve water retention with compost, coco coir, or well-rotted manure.
• Clay soils: Add gypsum and coarse sand for drainage.
• Alkaline soils: Carnations prefer pH 6.7–7.5. Test soil and add lime if acidic.

Potting Mix for Containers:

• Use 50% premium potting mix + 30% perlite/pumice + 20% compost.
• Add dolomite lime to raise pH if needed.

Seed Starting & Transplanting

Steps for Success:

• Sow Indoors: Surface-sow seeds in trays with seed-raising mix.
• Lightly press into soil (no covering).
• Watering: Mist daily with a spray bottle to keep moist.
• Light: 12–16 hours under grow lights or a sunny windowsill.
• Transplant: Harden off seedlings over 7–10 days. Plant in garden beds or pots after frost risk passes.

Spacing:

• Dwarf varieties: 30 cm apart.
• Standard varieties: 40 cm apart.

Growing Requirements

Sunlight:

• Full sun (4-6+ hours daily).

Watering:

• Water deeply 1–2x weekly. Use drip irrigation to conserve water.
• Containers: Water when top 2 cm of soil is dry.

Fertilising:

• Use slow-release organic fertiliser at planting.
• Apply liquid seaweed or fish emulsion every 4 weeks during growth.
• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers  as they promotes foliage over flowers.

Mulching:

• Use pea straw, sugar cane mulch, or gravel (5 cm layer). Keep mulch away from stems.

Pest & Disease Management

• Aphids/Thrips: Spray with neem oil or soapy water. Introduce ladybugs.
• Snails/Slugs: Use beer traps or iron-based pellets.
• Kangaroos/Wallabies (bushland areas): Protect with wire mesh or plant in raised beds.

Diseases:

• Fungal Rot (humid zones): Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide.
• Rust: Remove affected leaves. Improve airflow.

Companion Planting Guide for Australia

Best Companions:

1. Lavender: Repels aphids; thrives in similar dry, sunny conditions.
2. Rosemary & Sage: Drought-tolerant; deter beetles and moths.
3. Marigolds: Suppress root-knot nematodes (common in sandy soils).
4. Nasturtiums: Trap aphids; edible flowers add color.
5. Native Companions:
   • Everlasting Daisies: Low water, attract pollinators.
   • Kangaroo Paw: Contrasts with carnations in arid gardens.

Avoid Planting With:

• Tomatoes/Potatoes: Susceptible to similar fungal diseases.
• Water-Hungry Plants (e.g., lettuce): Carnations prefer drier soil.

Seasonal Care

Summer:

• Shade cloth in temperatures over 35°C.
• Mulch heavily to retain moisture.

Autumn:

• Prune spent flowers; divide overcrowded plants.

Winter:

• Temperate/Cool Zones: Protect from frost with cloches or move pots indoors.
• Tropical Zones: Prime flowering season; reduce fertiliser.

Spring:

• Apply compost and slow-release fertiliser as new growth appears.