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HOW TO GROW PINKS.

HOW TO GROW PINKS. GROW PINKS GROW PINKS GROW PINKS.

By Brian Yates

Around 80% of the visits to this BNCS Internet Site are non members who are browsing the site for information on how to grow Dianthus and it is to you that I devote this page.

You may ask why you should grow Pinks instead of growing Busy Lizzies, Sweet Peas, or Marigolds in your border, window box, or patio pot.

1.Once planted they can remain in their planted position for many years, giving pleasure the whole spring summer and autumn long, unlike the other bedding plants that require you to replant each year.
2.The colour range is enormous, ranging from deep red right the way through the shades of pink, orange, and on to white. Not forgetting all the bi-colours and laced varieties.
3.With careful purchasing you can have a free flowering scented variety that will give you a waft of that heady clove/cinnamon scent every time you pass it.
4.Completely trouble free. As long as they are planted in a sunny position, in free draining soil you need not be too concerned about them, other than occasional water like you would any other garden plant and by dead heading during their flowering season you will have blooms from early spring until the first frosts.
5.Hardy Pinks don’t mind the cold, so no need to lift them and store over the cold winter months. As long as the soil is free draining then they are happy to stay in their planted site. In fact they will be a talking point throughout the winter due to their silver/grey leaves that even on a cold snowy day will bring you the promise that spring growth is just around the corner.
6.How do I look after my Pinks once they are happily growing away? Each early spring a quick tidy up around the plants and work in a sprinkle of slow release fertilizer like Growmore or Superphosphate will see them flourishing the whole season long.

“Cherry ripe”

Of course there are some old favourites like the award winning Doris with its light pink ground and a zoned red eye, or Mrs Sinkins a clear white self colour, (A word of warning on this variety. It only flowers once per season and then only for a month or so, but still worth growing for its outstanding perfume). Or Grans Favourite with its white background with pink lacing, all of which are worth growing.
Most garden centres will stock these varieties along with others of equal beauty, but if you want something really special with rich perfume, then you need to purchase your Pinks from one of the well known and respected commercial growers as mentioned below..

Then we have the Alpine varieties that look so good growing in that missed stone on the patio. We have Whatfield Can-Can, Mendelsham Minx, Waithmans Beauty and many more that will only grow about 4 inches high yet their beauty is unsurpassed.

Amongst the many varieties that I grow I wish to list just a few that will be the focal point of your garden and purchased from these well established and respected nurseries.

1Freckles, raised by C.H. Fielder at Linderbruce Nurseries, Lancing, Sussex. In 1948, a Camellia Rose, flecked and spotted scarlet. Double blooms and highly scented. One of the C.H. Fielder’s Imperial Pinks. This Pink is one of the very best to grow. Supplied from Hayward’s Carnations and Pinks on telephone 01243 576700

2Widecombe Fair, raised by C. Wyatt at Haytor Nurseries, Bovey Tracy, Devon, in 1974 a Pinkish/Cream with a hint of Yellow. Double blooms and scented. A flower favoured by florists to use in bridal bouquets as it blends so well with other pastel blooms. A real discussion point. Supplied by Allwoods on telephone 01273 844229

3Devon Wizard, raised by H.R. Whitman in Dawlish, Devon in 1987 a Reddish/Purple bloom on stout stems. Double blooms and clove scented. Another winner from the Whetman stable and a real eye catcher. Supplied by Whetman’s on telephone 01626 863328

4Sam Barlow, raised in the 19th century, a White ground with zoned Purple Double blooms. A very pretty flower that has truly stood the test of time. Supplied by Southview Nurseries on telephone 0118 9732206

5Laced Hero, raised by Allwood Brothers of Hassocks, Sussex in 1947, White ground, laced Purple, zoned black. Double blooms. One of the best laced varieties around. Supplied by Kingstone Cottage Nursery on telephone 01989 565267

I hope I have whetted your appetite into trying a few Pinks for the garden.

FAQS.

Q. Do I need to mulch my Pinks?
A No do not mulch them as they do not like their feet wet or damp. Free draining soil is the secret with a dressing of slow release fertilizer.

Q Do I need to disbud my Pinks?
A No just allow them to flower as they come, but regular cutting off of the dead flowers will encourage lots more blooms.

Q How long will my Pinks flower.
A They will flower April, May, June July, August, September, and October A full seven months. Just keep them dead headed for continuity. So a little feed now and then will help.

Q I have heard that Pinks will only grow in Lime soil
A Nonsense, they will grow anywhere but a neutral soil is best and perhaps a light dressing of lime in late autumn will be of some help to release bound up nutrients.

Q Will they grow in shady conditions?
A Not really they love the sun, so a nice sunny position in the garden is best.

Q I want to grow some Pinks on the patio, can I put them in pots or window boxes.
A Pinks love to be in pots or window boxes and they not only give you a lovely show all spring summer and autumn long but an added bonus is the heady clove aroma. Just make sure they have some sunshine.

Q What soil do I plant them in?
A I use a peat based medium of 4 parts Peat, 1 part sharp Sand, 1 part Perlite mixed with one half part of Superphosphate. The container must have some free drainage like a few crocks over the holes in bottom of container. But John Innes No 2 is just as fine, but in using this medium please work some Perlite into soil before using as pinks love a free draining medium to grow in.

Q What do I do once the flowering period is over?
A A tidy up round the plant and all is fine for the winter. Come the early spring make sure you scarify the top of the container and work in some fertilizer.

Q Do I need to water them?
A Yes, they are not arid desert plants, just water them like any other pot or container grown plant, but they will withstand your 2 week holiday abroad with only a very occasional water.

Q When is it the best time to plant my Pinks?
A Spring or Autumn is best, but they may be planted at any time of the year, just make sure that when you plant them you do not plant them too deeply. In all cases you will be sent cultural notes with your plants when they are delivered.

Q Its mid summer, so can I order Pinks now.
A This is just the time to order your Pinks as commercial growers tend to strike their cuttings in June and by placing your order now you can assured that the nursery can supply your choice. Pinks ordered at this time of year are normally sent out to you at the right planting time, so once again all the hit and miss is taken out of the process.

Q Are Pinks any good as a cut flower.
A Golly yes, I have a few in my vase that sits on the dinner table from March until late October or even November.

Q Finally, how are you assured of success with your own Pinks.
A I have some key points that need to be followed. Always buy from a reputable grower as detailed on the BNCS site. Pot your young plants into small 3 inch pots to allow them to double in size. Prepare ground with well rotted manure. After planting your prize plants give ground a dressing of Dried Blood and work in. This will help develop the plants and although will not harm next doors Cat’s, it will keep them off your border as they hate the smell of it. (Only use Dried Blood in a border as it has a very pungent smell, so keep away from your patio).

DOs and DONTS.

DO buy from our reputable specialists as shown in on this Internet Site.
DONT buy from places like car boot sales as plants may be infected that will devastate your other Pinks.
DO remember when you plant your Pinks not to plant them too deeply as they will rot off. This is the most prime reason for losses in plants. Do not bury foliage.
DONT mulch your Pinks as they will rot off.
DO plant so the Pinks can take advantage of the sunshine.

In the unlikely event that you may need any help the British National Carnation Society has several contacts that can and will help in whatever way they can.
Contacts.
Barry Gamble at 17 Old Welton Road, Welton, Hull. Yorks HU15 1NU
Jim and Betty Linnell at Linfield, Duncote, Towcester, Northants. NN12 8AH
Or brian.yates93@ntlworld.com

Why not become a member of the British National Carnation Society by downloading an application form from this Internet Site and take advantage of all its benefits as well as organised visits to Specialist Commercial Nurseries. As a bonus, you get a booklet on how to grow your selected Dianthus. Lots of our member’s propagate new varieties and being a BNCS member you could be one of the first to sport a new variety in your border or patio pot.

Suggested other reading. Carnations and Pinks for Garden and Greenhouse by John Galbally with Eileen Galbally and printed by Timber Press.

Best wishes with growing your Pinks.

Brian Yates.