|
| Hello. I have lots of dianthus. Not sure how to best fertilize (or not) do they need lime? Can I cut back all the ratty foliage? Thanks! Susan |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| I trim mine off right to the ground in the spring and let them grow back. I just fertilize with what ever I'm using on the whole bed. |
|
- Posted by pat_bamaZ7 7 (My Page) on Wed, Apr 2, 14 at 12:00
| I think they like a more alkaline soil than ours, so I give mine some lime. |
|
| They really thrive in the alkaline soils I've lived on--don't know if they need it, though. Yeah, clip them down in the spring if you want. I've never bothered to fertilize--they seem to do just fine without--doubling in spread every year. I love dianthus! |
|
| They are like lilacs in that they are one of the plants happier with a moderately alkaline soil. |
|
- Posted by poorbutroserich (My Page) on Wed, Apr 2, 14 at 19:11
| Great. So if I want to add lime what do I use? |
|
| Poorbutroserich, There is limestone bedrock in the Nashville area. You might want to research whether you need lime or already have it. Too much of anything can cause problems. Cath |
|
- Posted by poorbutroserich Nashville (My Page) on Thu, Apr 3, 14 at 8:08
| Cath, I believe I am on granite. I have floppy pinks...Would fish emulsion help? Thanks Susan |
|
| Susan, I am no expert on pinks as very few grow well on my (albeit alkaline) clay. The only two I have seen thrive here were an unnamed one, identified here as Rose de Mai, and Neon. Cath |
|
| What sort of dianthus? As a rule, they don't need lime unless you have acid soil (in which case, there are better choices than dianthus). More important than ph, I think, is getting the watering right - they hate sitting in wet soil. As for cutting them back, depends on the type. |
|
- Posted by poorbutroserich none (My Page) on Thu, Apr 3, 14 at 20:09
| Dang Camps! I knew you were going to force me to get out the Latin. I am unable to italicize so forgive me. They are the allwoodii and similar. Clove scented. The old fashioned ones. Inchmery comes to mind. Not plumarius. Is that helpful? My ph is close enough to neutral that I consider it neutral. I think humidity is more my problem. How can I find gravelly grit to improve drainage? Cath, Rose du Mai does well for me too. Susan |
|
| If you want "gravelly grit to improve drainage" but don't want something which will "lime up" the soil, look for aquarium gravel -- the cheapest you can find. Otherwise, do the vinegar test on anything else -- if a few drops on the rocks makes things fizzle, then there's limestone in the rocks. :-) ~Christopher |
|
| I was going to suggest chicken grit - far, far cheaper than alpine grits or other horticultural grits.....and you can get the mixture of flint and oyster shell which dianthus love. Dianthus X Allwoodii pinks - yep, you can snip out the old ratty looking stuff - take out the entire old flowering stem - there will be new growth at the bases of each clump....and try to keep up the deadheading - these old pinks used to be once flowering but many of the Allwoodii types (most famously, Doris....and Inchmery of course) will flower in flushes thoughout the season. |
|
- Posted by poorbutroserich none (My Page) on Fri, Apr 4, 14 at 14:21
| Dang Camps! You read my mind! I've been researching dianthus propagation. You make it much simpler than the books. Aquarium gravel and chicken grit. Sounds great. Christopher we should swap some! As always, thanks! Susan |
|
| Susan, that could be a possibility -- in a year or two. I have a few coming in a couple weeks, but remember that I'm just starting this garden. The beds were made and planted last year with just roses, and this year will be the companions. As far as Dianthus, I have the following coming: 'Bath's Pink' My plan was to use the Dianthus at the front of the log edging, alternating with some sprawling Sedums and various blue- or purple-flowered "others" (Lithodora, a couple Veronica, a couple Campanula, etc.) . I was thinking that planting them high in the raised beds would give them the drainage they prefer. I'll have to remember to get some garden lime or crushed oyster shells to sprinkle around them. I wonder if I could just bury a whole oyster shell under the roots -- I work in a restaurant and have easy access to them. :-) ~Christopher |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Antique Roses Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
