back to the homepage

List of articles

In the Beginning

I started growing Pinks only three months. While visiting my 84 year old mother it was suggested I took some cuttings from her Pinks. The distinctive smell brought back memories of childhood and long, hot summers. Off I went, armed with 10 cuttings from “Doris” and the journey had begun.

Arriving home I looked at greyish green leaves, implying dry and well drained conditions, and thought I better find out the right compost mix for the cuttings.
A quick search on internet led to an article by Brian Yates on the BNCS website, and shortly afterwards the cuttings from “Doris” were potted up.

So far, so good. However, the mistake I made was to read other articles on the website and the enthusiasm for all types of Dianthus by BNCS members with the realisation I could grow far more varieties. Especially as the footprint occupied by pots for Pinks etc is quite small and makes a large collection a distinct possibility. By later that evening I had sent off a cheque to join BNCS; ordered 40 odd varieties of Pinks; a collection of old greenhouse carnations; 20 modern carnations; and ordered x Allwoodii seeds. The latter, just in case, out of hundreds of seedlings, one shows promise!

A few days later I ordered various books, recommended by BNCS, from Abebooks.com. My favourite, because it is so informative and a masterpiece in its own right, is “Carnations and Pinks for Garden and Greenhouse” by John Galbally and Eileen Galbally. For a beginner, it’s the ideal reference book whenever needed – in my case, frequently.

So much for the theory, how about the practical? Brian Yates lives locally and offered to show me round his plants. I jumped at the chance and spent an enjoyable couple of hours learning about carnations and seeing his new window box. I left with my head buzzing with information, an armful of carnations for my mother, and several pots of carnations. It is the generosity of members, like Brian, who transform a society into something more than a truly enjoyable pastime.

What’s next? To see my plants early next summer in full bloom. To visit shows. To talk to other BNCS members. To learn from my mistakes.

Was it worth joining BNCS? You bet!

Steve Robinson-Grindey