Sweet Williams is actually a short-lived perennial, and it is possible to keep it growing for several years by dead-heading. Alternatively, leave plants that have flowered to shed seed. Remove the dead plants to allow the seedlings space to grow.
This compact plant is also suitable for a container . It is best planted together with taller flowering plants to provide vertical contrast.
SPECIFICATION OF DIANTHUS
Name: Sweet William
Scientific name: Dianthus barbatus
Color: pink, red, white, & bicolour
Plant seeds: outdoors just before winter or after frost and indoors weeks before the last frost
Bloom time: winter, spring, summer(depends on countries)
Hardiness Zone: 10 - 12 (reseeds itself easily)
Plant Height: 12 - 18"
Plant Spacing: 12 -15"
Light requirements: sun - part shade
Soil & water preferences: average
Activity attracts bees, butterflies, & hummingbirds.
Germination Requirements for Sweet William (Dianthus Plants):
Prepare the Media:Best germination, you will need to Professional quality Seedling mix. Below process is the best way to make it :
Sieved Coco peat
Sieved sand
Try to use a mix of half virgin forest leaf soil for better germination if the seeds are very small.
Fungicide (Bastian etc.)
As per requirement, mix 80% Coco peat & 20% Sand Sieved. After mixing add Fungicide 1 gm / 2.6 Kg.
Now sow the seeds carefully and cover mixed seedling media.Sprinkle water to keep the seeds moist.
Cover the seedling tray with rapper and placed on the partial shade.
Wait 10 to 14 days and check and sprinkle water frequently to keep the seed moist.
PROTECT & CARE:
Sweet Williams prefers a good drainage and a slightly alkaline soil. Add lime before planting. Planted in full Sun area where gets at least 5 hours of sunlight a day.
It can put a group of plants into a shallow pot. Water well.
Sweet Williams is very hardy and should survive in most areas.To protect the seeds from insects and birds cover the area with transparent polythene or big leaf of trees(e.g.Coconut or Date plant). After sowing the seeds use spray folidol powder.
Loosen the soil in a full-sun garden bed with a garden fork for direct soil. Spread 2 inches of compost over the soil and work it into the top foot of soil. Space the plants 6 to 12 inches apart in all directions.Spray water slowly.
For gardening pot: Dig the planting holes so they are twice as wide but equal in depth to the nursery pot.Set the sweet William into the planting hole and fill it back in with soil. Place the container in a semi shaded place.
Water Sweet William immediately following planting. Continue to irrigate once per week through the spring and summer growing season. Sweet William requires approximately 1 inch of water weekly. The soil should remain moist but not become muddy.
Mulch over the bed with a 2-inch layer of bark or wood mulch. The mulch suppresses weeds and conserves the moisture in the soil.
Pinch off the blossoms once they begin to fade. Remove the entire flower structure, including the swollen portion at the base where seeds are produced. Removing the old flower prevents seed formation and encourages the plant to produce more blooms.
Add a fresh 1-inch layer of compost in spring when new growth begins. Replenish the mulch to maintain the 2-inch layer.
Cover the seedling tray with rapper and placed on the partial shade.
Wait 10 to 14 days and check and sprinkle water frequently to keep the seed moist.
PROTECT & CARE:
Sweet Williams prefers a good drainage and a slightly alkaline soil. Add lime before planting. Planted in full Sun area where gets at least 5 hours of sunlight a day.
It can put a group of plants into a shallow pot. Water well.
Sweet Williams is very hardy and should survive in most areas.To protect the seeds from insects and birds cover the area with transparent polythene or big leaf of trees(e.g.Coconut or Date plant). After sowing the seeds use spray folidol powder.
Loosen the soil in a full-sun garden bed with a garden fork for direct soil. Spread 2 inches of compost over the soil and work it into the top foot of soil. Space the plants 6 to 12 inches apart in all directions.Spray water slowly.
For gardening pot: Dig the planting holes so they are twice as wide but equal in depth to the nursery pot.Set the sweet William into the planting hole and fill it back in with soil. Place the container in a semi shaded place.
Water Sweet William immediately following planting. Continue to irrigate once per week through the spring and summer growing season. Sweet William requires approximately 1 inch of water weekly. The soil should remain moist but not become muddy.
Mulch over the bed with a 2-inch layer of bark or wood mulch. The mulch suppresses weeds and conserves the moisture in the soil.
Pinch off the blossoms once they begin to fade. Remove the entire flower structure, including the swollen portion at the base where seeds are produced. Removing the old flower prevents seed formation and encourages the plant to produce more blooms.
Add a fresh 1-inch layer of compost in spring when new growth begins. Replenish the mulch to maintain the 2-inch layer.
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