DIANTHUS flower, which is also known as divine flower, has hundreds of hybrids. The word Dianthus is derived from the Greek words ‘dios’ – meaning god, and ‘anthous’, which means flower. Records show that the name Dianthus was first used by Greek botanist Theophrastus.
Dianthus belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae, which comprises some 300 species of flowering herbs. It originates from Asia and Europe, but some varieties come from Africa and the Americas as well. This a fairly big family of flowering plants, with annuals, biennials and perennials.
SWEET: Dianthus japonicus has vinca-like flowers.
The most popular type here is sweet William (Dianthus barbatus). Other varieties are Dianthus chinensis and Dianthus japonicus. The main attraction for Dianthus chinensis is its red and pink flowers. This variety is often seen at local markets. The flowers here are mainly raised from seeds imported from Taiwan. The Japanese species has vinca-like flowers. The American species has long stalks and slender leaves with mainly red petals. Taiwanese Dianthus is actually called Lychnis githago. Colours can be pink or red with a white centre that usually radiates outwards.
Planting tips
Most plants prefer less heat, so they should not be fully exposed to our strong tropical sun.
Use top soil mixed with good compost at a 2:1 ratio and incorporate some basal dressing like rock phosphate to encourage rooting. Add lime as the plant will thrive under alkaline conditions.
Drainage must be good as clumps may rot in waterlogged conditions. Avoid over-watering or the leaves may become yellowish. Check the age of the leaves. Nitrogen nutrients are mobile and only the older leaves should show yellowing.
Once planted there is no need to mulch as the roots require good aeration. Be sure not to plant them too deep in soil.
Add general purpose fertiliser or liquid fertiliser more frequently.
Dianthus is a favourite meal for Lepidoptera larvae like cabbage worms (moths) and beetles, so do look out for these pests.
Propagation
For perennial varieties, tip cuttings, layering and even division of bulbs can be used to get new planting material. Fallen seeds from the flowers may even sprout as new plants in some cases. Grow dianthus from seeds by sowing them in sunny areas and only sow them on the top, not too deep, firmly pack the soil over the seeds and keep moist until the seedlings begin growing. Dianthus are also grown from clumps with roots. Layering may involve the use of existing stems buried under soil till rooting.
Strawberry
Nowadays strawberries can be grown locally as ornamental plants. Through hybridisation, new varieties have characteristics that have enabled them to be planted locally with great care.
DECORATIVE: Strawberries can be grown locally as ornamental plants.
This plant belongs to the Rosaceae family. There are over 20 varieties grown and some wild types from the Indian subcontinent are actually for lowland growing, but these have small fruits. The taste of the fruits differs depending on cultivars and place of growth.
In actual fact the berries are not true fruits and the so-called seeds are actually achenes. The size of the berry depends on the number of chromosomes – tetraploids, hexaploids and decaploids. Of the seven types, polyploidy ones are generally bigger and the largest goes to 10 sets of 70 chromosomes. As a general guide, fruits with larger numbers of chromosomes tend to be more robust and produce larger fruits.
Planting tips
First have a terracotta earth pot with moist soil and basal fertilisers. Partly cover the drainage hole at the bottom with a broken piece of pot or screen, to allow good drainage without the soil leaking out. Place the strawberry plantlets into the medium with the crown of the plant above soil level. Carefully add water to the medium so that it is just moist and not waterlogged. Set the pot in a shaded but bright position for growth.Expect fruits the size of nuts.
The decorative variety is very easy to grow and I used to have a lot of them growing almost wild in the ground below my orchid shed.
Mulching is recommended to keep the crown of the stems healthy and the fruit clean without being dirtied by the soil. If you ever go to Cameron Highlands or Kundasang, you can see field planting of strawberries.
Happy gardening.