Sweet dianthus is also known as "Sweetheart William". No one knows why it is so named, but this poetic name really goes well with its sweet and colorful flowers. Adult sweet dianthus can grow to 30 centimeters or more, and different varieties have different heights. The planting and maintenance of sweet dianthus are relatively simple, but it must be replanted every one or two years because it has a short lifespan. However, you can collect the seeds of sweet dianthus or allow it to self-seed so that new plants will appear every year.
Picture tutorial on planting sweet dianthus. This DIY tutorial includes: planting, maintenance, and propagation. If you want to learn how to plant sweet dianthus, check out this picture tutorial on planting sweet dianthus from the production department. Study it!
Planting
1Find out the flowering period of your sweet dianthus. Different varieties and planting methods of sweet dianthus also have different flowering periods. Biennial sweet dianthus blooms the second year and then wilts. Generally, perennial plants can grow for many years, but perennial sweet dianthus takes two years to bloom, and it dies before blooming for the second time. - Proper care can increase the chances of it seeding on its own, see the care section below for details.
2If you want to see sweet dianthus bloom within a year, buy growing sweet dianthus. Purchase seedlings or adult plants in spring and fall. Check with the original owner of the sweet dianthus to see if it will bloom during the year before buying it home, as some seedlings may not bloom until the following year. - Plants that claim to be annuals may not bloom within a year, depending on the flower variety and adaptation to the local climate.
3Decide when to plant. Sweet dianthus can survive the winter strong , blooms 12-18 months after planting. If the sweet dianthus is growing, or you are afraid that it will be too cold outside in winter, then you can plant the sweet dianthus in a pot indoors and wait until early spring before transplanting it outdoors. The seedlings will grow to It is easy to survive after transplanting in 6-8 weeks. 
4Choose a sunny but cool location. Sweet dianthus grows fastest in the sun but is suitable for cooler climates. Its best to receive 4-5 hours of sunlight a day, but if you live in a hot climate, you should plant it in a shaded area. 
5Test the soil. Sweet dianthus prefers soft, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Make sure it drains well and avoid planting in hard soil. You can mix potting soil into the existing soil to add nutrients. If you have the right tools, you can adjust the soil pH to a slightly alkaline level, but its not necessary. - Soil pH measuring kits are available in gardening stores and online. Because sweet dianthus has strong adaptability to soil, it is not necessary to adjust the pH.
6Sowing seeds. Sow seeds in spring and summer. Spread on the surface of the soil and cover it with a thin layer of soil of about 0.6 cm, or dig a small trench of the same depth, scatter the seeds and then fill it up. Space each two seeds 15 centimeters apart to reduce the chance of rot and the spread of pests and diseases. If there is not so much space,You can get closer, but you need to be especially careful not to overwater. - When transplanting sweet dianthus seedlings, just dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and fill it after transplanting. Do not bury the stems; they should be transplanted to the same depth as before.
- Water after planting. Water after sowing or transplanting seedlings, but not too much. If drainage is not smooth, the soil will be too soft. Freshly transplanted seedlings should be kept in soil that is moist but not too squishy. Once healthy roots have taken root, follow the steps below to maintain them.
Maintenance
1Water lightly. Keep the soil slightly moist. Most varieties of sweet dianthus do not require artificial watering when grown, unless it is very hot. However, watering is required when dryness and cracking of the soil occur. - If the soil is too wet and soft, the sweet dianthus will rot, so do not overwater. Do not allow small puddles to accumulate in the soil.
2Fertilization (optional). To promote the growth and flowering of sweet dianthus, add a general-purpose fertilizer to the soil every 2-4 weeks during the active growing season (spring and summer). Follow the directions on the package and don't overdo it to prevent burning the sweet dianthus. 
3Use pesticides. <Spray sweet dianthus with a general purpose insecticide. Sweet dianthus is most susceptible to nematode damage. Once you find nematodes (small, round ones), spray insecticide according to instructions. - Note: Do not use any pesticides if you plan to eat Dianthus flowers or feed them to pets.
4Pick off withered flowers. Sweet dianthus usually blooms in late spring or early summer and wilts in mid-summer. Gently picking wilted flowers will encourage re-blooming and also prevent it from going to seed (if you have limited garden space).
Reproduction
1Let the sweet dianthus sow itself. With correct care and the right climate, sweet dianthus will germinate naturally. If you want large patches of sweet dianthus, let them bloom and seed themselves. - Some varieties are hybrids, so the resulting sweet dianthus will be different from the parent plant.
2Collect seeds. Between mid-summer and late summer, after the flowers wilt, they will form brown seed pods with an open end. The black pancake-shaped seeds in the seed pods can be collected and sown in spring and autumn. 
3After the seed pods fall off, cut off the dry stems of Dianthus carnation. After the seed pods are removed automatically or harvested manually, cut off the dry stems. Sowing seeds often takes a lot of life out of them, and cutting off dry stems can increase the chances of another flower blooming. 
4Take cuttings from adult plants. If your sweet dianthus is lucky enough to grow for a year or two, it should be quite big. In early spring or fall when growth is not yet strong, use clean scissors to cut a thicker branch near the base. The cuttings can be planted into new plants, although you may want to stake them to help them grow straight. - Newly inserted branches take some time to take root. At this time, it should be placed in a warm and humid environment, away from direct sunlight, to prevent it from drying out. Cover it with a clear bag or container for a few days to create the desired moist environment.
Tips
- The flowers of sweet dianthus are edible, but other parts are not. Do not eat sweet dianthus flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides or found in public places such as roadsides.
- Chemical fertilizers and mulch are not necessary for sweet dianthus. Avoid overwatering to make the soil too soft.
Warning
- The roots of sweet dianthus are prone to rot, so if they are not dry, they do not need to be watered more.
- The leaves of sweet dianthus may be poisonous, so children or pets should avoid ingestion. In the event of ingestion, emergency services or a veterinarian must be contacted immediately.
Extended reading:
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