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Pinks
Cultivation
Garden pinks grow well in most soils (if strongly acidic a dressing of limestone chippings is advised). Before planting incorporate well rotted manure or compost and a dressing of a general fertilizer (eg. blood fish and bone). Drainage is perhaps the most important factor and if this is poor a raised bed should be constructed. Avoid shaded areas. Planting traditionally takes place in the autumn (late aug, sept) to allow a long season of growth and establishment before winter frosts. However earlier plantings will give pleasing results.
Plant firmly but do not bury the stem. Remove weeds and hoe lightly (shallow fibrous roots!). In early May established plants produce large numbers of shoots producing flowers in June. Old Fashioned pinks flower in June/July. Modern pinks flower for longer periods. Both should be deadheaded regularly.
Propagation
Cuttings are the most popular method of increasing/replacing stock. They are usually taken at the end of May to mid June but with a heated propagator can be taken all year round. Non flowering shoots approximately ten cm long are taken with a sharp knife. Leaves below the fourth pair are removed. A hormone rooting powder may increase success. The potting compost must be well drained eg. 50/50 sphagnum peat or multipurpose compost with sharp horticultural sand or perlite. A heated propagator is ideal, misted automatically or by hand 3 to 4 times a day. They will root in 3 to 4 weeks.
Much more detail is contained in the publication How to grow Pinks, published by the BNCS.
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