A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Carnation question

Hi,

I have got quite into gardening over the last couple of years, not very at at it but I keep trying!

This question is more for a friend than for me. Does anyone have a 'simple'answer as to how to 'breed' (I'm sure that's not the right terminology!) carnation flowers? I mean take, say a white one with a red one and get red/white ones?

Would be very grateful if anyone knows how this is done.

Thanks

Anita

Hi Anita...welcome to the forum. I can't answer your question but the terminology you are looking for is "propagation." Do a Google search for "Dianthus Carnation propagation" and see if you can find some information that way.

Thanks Rosie I'll see what I can find,

Anita

Usually the way to cross breed is to take the pollen from one type of carnation and apply it to the staimen of a carnation of a different color and then collect the seeds. The plants grown from the seeds will be the new color. Of course not all plants of this type will breed true. And carnations are bienniels so that's a whole lot of work to try and get a new color.

Thankyou so much tkhooper, that's just the info i was looking for

Anita