Carnation std

Standard carnations ‘Farida’ and ‘Antigua’ are excellent cut flowers, producing strong, upright stems topped with beautifully formed, long-lasting blooms. They are a wonderful choice for the home cutting garden and, with regular harvesting, can provide flowers over an extended period.

Carnations are relatively hardy once established and reward good soil preparation, plenty of sunlight and regular feeding.

Quick Facts

  • ☀️ Full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day

  • 🌱 Rich, well-drained soil – carnations don't like wet feet

  • Plant 20-30cm apart

Growing Tips

  • Carnations are productive flowering plants and appreciate regular feeding.

    Start with compost or well-rotted organic matter incorporated into the soil before planting. During active growth, feed regularly with a balanced fertiliser or a fertiliser suitable for flowering plants.

    Regular feeding is particularly helpful when growing carnations specifically for long, strong cut-flower stems.

  • For the best vase life, harvest carnations when the buds are just beginning to open, with the petals starting to loosen but before the flower is fully open.

  • If you're growing Farida or Antigua specifically for premium cut flowers, consider disbudding.

    Standard carnations can produce multiple buds on a stem. Removing the smaller side buds allows the plant to direct more energy into the main central flower, producing a larger, more impressive bloom.