Have you been trying to figure out how to trim dianthus the right way? This article will not only show you the steps that are involved in the process but will also give you a closer look at the plant itself.
What Is A Dianthus?
Dianthus happens to be a flowering plant of a specific genus that also includes pinks or carnations. You can expect this plant to produce incredibly reliable flowers during the summer season. Some of these plants can be annual, while others are biennial or perennial.
Furthermore, you can usually spot dianthus cultivars thriving well within USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. There are over 300 varieties of dianthus flowers, which come in different sizes, shapes, and colours. This plant can grow in clumps, and in terms of length, it can range between 6 inches to three feet and in most cases.
These plants produce bright green or grey-green leaves that are slender and fingerlike. Their stems are numerous, and they bloom anytime between early summer through the autumn season. If you’re planning to cut flower arrangements, dianthus flowers won’t disappoint.
It’s best to plant new dianthus from seedlings that are stocky, compact, and strong. Planting will minimise their need for further trimming, as well as pinching.
If you’re not aware, seedlings that are overgrown or leggy tend to take more time to recover once you transplant them. They won’t even flower at all, even if you regularly trim them.
A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Trim Dianthus
The secret to keeping your dianthus plants blooming is by trimming and getting rid of spent flowers. Aside from encouraging your plants to rebloom, trimming them will also help you maintain health, as well as the shape of their stems and leaves.
It’s important to note that dianthus plants can tolerate even the most severe trims. After one has severely trimmed them, they tend to produce lusher foliage and more blooms. To help you achieve your desired results, follow this step-by-step guide on how to trim dianthus:
Step #1: Get rid of the fading dianthus flowers
The first thing you need to do is pinch off the flowers, starting to show signs of fading and wilting. To prevent seed formation, you need to get rid of the old flower head that you can find above the topmost set of leaves. Removing will help you increase your plant’s chances of reblooming.
Step #2: Cut back mounding varieties
After completing the first flush of flowering in early summer, make sure that you cut back on mounding dianthus types. You need to get rid of up to half the height of the plant. Use a clean pair of pruning shears or scissors if you want to force your dianthus plant to produce more flower buds, as well as healthy and bushy growth.
Step #3: Pinch back the overgrown stems
If you spot any dianthus stem that looks leggy or overgrown, be sure to trim them or pinch them back only during the summer growing season. Removing during summer helps your plant maintain its shape. Moreover, you can encourage branching if you decide to cut close to a leaf bud on the stem.
Step #4: Prune them back in the autumn
When your dianthus plants begin to die back in the autumn naturally, you need to prune them back. You can do so by cutting each of the plants down up to 2 inches of the soil. Be sure to dispose of the removed foliage as well.
What are the Major Benefits of Growing Your Plants In A Semi-Pro Greenhouse?
Anyone who wants to take their gardening experience in the UK to the next level would seriously consider investing in a semi-pro greenhouse. If you’re going to take a closer look at how this would benefit you and your plants, check this out:
It protects your plants from bad weather conditions
One of the best things about having your semi-pro polytunnel is that you won’t have to make emergency preparations in the event of a storm, blizzard, or other types of harsh weather conditions. The semi-pro polytunnel serves as a protective covering that shields your plants from external elements.
It keeps the pests and vermin away
The last thing you want is to see all of your UK gardening efforts going down the drain after being attacked by destructive bugs and vermin. Thankfully, a semi-pro polytunnel can also act as a barrier that keeps these pests at bay.
You can manipulate your plants’ growing conditions
The enclosed space of your semi-pro polytunnel allows you to control its internal temperature easily and humidity levels to perfectly suit your plants’ needs.
You can experience extended growing seasons
With a semi-pro greenhouse, you can be free to tend to your plants and control the internal environment of the enclosed structure.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to trim dianthus is the first step. The next logical move would be to experience the benefits of polytunnel gardening. Don’t miss out on the benefits of growing your precious plants inside a semi-pro greenhouse!