Cheddar Pink Dianthus 'Devon Judith' (PBR) (p)

Water

Pink Dianthus, commonly known as Pink Kisses, should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. It typically needs water once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions and soil drainage. It's best to water the plant in the early morning or late afternoon, allowing the foliage to dry before the temperature drops at night. During very hot spells, the plant may require more frequent watering, but be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot. When watering, apply approximately 1 gallon of water for each plant, ensuring you wet the root zone rather than just the surface.

Light

Pink Dianthus thrives in full sun conditions, meaning it prefers to receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for this plant is an area that provides unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. If you live in an extremely hot climate, some light afternoon shade can help prevent scorching.

Temperature

Pink Dianthus performs well in moderate to cool climates and can survive temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 85°F. However, the ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60°F and 70°F. These plants are reasonably hardy, but prolonged exposure to temperatures outside their comfort range may inhibit growth and flowering.

Pruning

Pink Dianthus benefits from pruning to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Deadheading, or removing spent flower heads, should be done regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. The best time for a more substantial prune, cutting back the foliage, is in early spring or after the first flush of flowers in the summer to rejuvenate the plant's growth.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for the Sweet William is well-draining, loamy, and slightly alkaline with a pH of around 7.0 to 7.5. A mix composed of equal parts garden soil, compost, and sharp sand or perlite ensures good drainage and fertility.

Repotting

Sweet William typically does not require frequent repotting and can thrive in the same container for multiple years. They should only be repotted if they outgrow their current pot or if the soil quality deteriorates markedly.

Humidity & Misting

Sweet William prefers moderate humidity conditions and does not require high humidity levels. Average room humidity is typically sufficient for growing Sweet William indoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Sweet William near a sunny window in well-draining soil.

• Outdoor

  Plant Sweet William in full sun to part shade in fertile soil.

• Hardiness zone

  3-9 USDA

Life cycle

Dianthus 'Devon Judith', commonly known as Cheddar Pink, starts its life as a seed, which upon germination, develops into a seedling with its first set of true leaves. As the plant grows, it forms a tight cluster of foliage at the base, entering the vegetative stage where energy is directed towards leaf and stem growth. Upon reaching maturity, it enters the flowering stage, typically in late spring to early summer, producing fragrant pinkish-purple flowers with a distinctive frilled edge. After pollination, often by bees or butterflies, the flowers develop into seed capsules containing numerous small seeds. The plant then enters a period of dormancy, especially in colder climates, where it may die back during the winter months before regrowing from the base the following spring. With proper care, Dianthus 'Devon Judith' is a perennial, capable of living several years, repeating its growth and reproductive cycle annually.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Dianthus 'Devon Judith', commonly known as Pink, is often propagated through the division method, which is considered the most popular for this perennial plant. The optimum time to carry out division is typically in the spring or early fall when the weather is cool, allowing the roots to establish without the stress of midsummer heat. To propagate by division, the gardener should carefully dig up an established clump of Pinks, ensuring to get as much of the root system as possible. The clump is then gently separated into smaller sections, each with a good amount of roots and several shoots. These sections are replanted at the same depth they were growing previously, spaced about 12 inches (approximately 30 cm) apart to give each new plant enough space to grow. Plants should be watered thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots. With proper care, these divisions will grow into healthy, blooming plants in the following season.