Those who want to learn how to divide dianthus (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) are wondering if the entire process is easy or otherwise. If you’re one of the countless others who fell in love with this plant’s evergreen leaves and the sweet-spicy scent of its vibrantly-colored flowers, then you’ll be glad to know that the process of dividing them is quick and painless.
Fast Facts About the Perennial Dianthus
If you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4a to 8a, you can expect the perennial dianthus to thrive well in your area. However, if you plan to grow cultivated varieties that include the Firewitch (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) at home or your hobby greenhouse, the best way to do so is to use divisions.
Regardless of the type of dianthus that you’re growing, make sure that they get full sun and that you plant them in moist and well-drained soil that’s enriched with compost during the fall season. This will prevent the plant’s center from dying out. In most cases, these plants show off their gorgeous white, pink, and red flowers in the latter part of spring and summer.
3 Easy Steps to Follow When Dividing Perennial Dianthus
When it comes to dividing perennial dianthus, timing is everything. If you miss the timing, don’t expect your plants to grow vigorous and healthy. The best time to propagate dianthus is during early spring when these plants are actively growing.
Furthermore, you need to wait until you see growth at the tips of your foliage before you dig up your plants to create divisions. Experts recommend creating and transplanting divisions in the morning. They also warn against dividing dianthus too early or too late in the spring.
To get you started, check out these 3 easy steps in dividing perennial dianthus
Step #1. Dig up the plant
The first step is to dig out your plant. Next, make sure that you shake out the excess soil before you turn it over to see its natural divisions. These natural separations should serve as your guideline, but if they’re not clear, you may pull the roots apart using your hands so that you can divide the plant into as many pieces as you wish.
Step #2. Replant the pieces
Once you’ve made as many divisions as you want out of your perennial dianthus plant, you may replant these pieces in your garden. Start by digging a hole that’s about 3 inches deeper than the plant’s root ball and sprinkle a teaspoon of lime in the bottom portion of the hole that you dug. In case you’re not aware, these plants grow well in alkaline soil.
Next, you may place your plant’s root ball into the hole before you back-fill it with soil. Don’t forget to tamp down firmly around your perennial dianthus.
Step #3. Water and feed it
Finally, you may water your dianthus plant and add about 2 layers of compost around it to keep the soil enriched.
Top Reasons Why You Should Grow Your Plants in a Hobby Greenhouse
While traditional outdoor gardening isn’t a bad idea, we’d be lying if we told you that you wouldn’t be selling yourself short if you didn’t try your hand at greenhouse gardening. Most greens aficionados who want to take their gardening prowess to the next level choose to invest in a hobby greenhouse for the following reasons:
Their plants can grow in a controlled environment
Unlike the plants that are grown in traditional outdoor gardens, greenhouse plants are not at the mercy of Mother Nature’s whims. With a hobby greenhouse in place, it would be easier to create the ideal growing environment for your fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers because the gardener will be able to manipulate the temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions inside the enclosed botanical space to suit their plants’ unique needs.
It protects their plants from destructive insects and harmful animals
Since greenhouse plants are grown in an enclosed space as opposed to those that are grown outdoors, they’re less vulnerable to the constant threat of pest infestations, as well as the attacks of animals that can completely destroy all of your gardening efforts.
As you keep these pesky pests at bay, you also have the choice of getting the beneficial insects inside your hobby greenhouse. The good bugs that you can introduce to your greenhouse plants could include ladybugs, ground beetles, minute pirate bugs, green lacewings, aphid midges, damsel bugs, and braconid wasps.
It shields your plants from harsh weather conditions
Any person who maintains an outdoor garden is constantly on the lookout for harsh weather conditions because they need to make the necessary preparations to keep their plants protected. Having a hobby greenhouse eliminates the need to do so because you can rest easy knowing that your greenhouse can protect your plants from strong winds, heavy rains, snow, blizzard, sleet, and hail.
Your greenhouse can function as a storage space
Aside from being a place where you grow your favorite plants, your mini greenhouse can also serve as a storage space for all of your gardening needs – from your supplies to your tools, and accessories. Keeping your gardening equipment in the same place where you’ll be using them is nothing short of convenient.
You’ll have control over how your food is grown
When you grow your own food, you can be sure that no harmful chemicals or pesticides were used to produce them. Also, having your own hobby greenhouse allows you to extend your plant’s growing period.
You’ll save more money on grocery shopping
One of the best things about setting up a hobby greenhouse is the fact that you can have sure access to your favorite fruits, vegetables, and herbs all-year-round. This translates to more savings on grocery shopping.
Final Thoughts on How to Divide Dianthus
Knowing how to divide dianthus through the simple steps that were mentioned above is a sure way to make your favorite perennials healthier and more beautiful. While you’re at it, consider investing in a hobby greenhouse so that you can experience the awesome benefits of greenhouse gardening.