Plants' reason Dianthus barbatus' it's called Sweet William has been forgotten, but the poetic meaning of the name matches the pleasant scent of the plants and the array of bright colors it has. The plant will be fully grown to 30 cm or more in height, depending on the species. Sweet William is easy to grow and maintain, but may need to be replanted after a year or two, as it rarely lasts much longer. Fortunately, you can get seeds from your first plant or let them sow their own seeds, spreading the beauty that can be enjoyed for years from a single plant from scratch.
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Part 1 of 3: Planting Sweet William
Step 1. Decide where your Sweet William will bloom
Since there are many varieties of Sweet William and many methods of growing them, you may hear conflicting information about when the flowers will grow and how long the plants will last. Biennial types flower in the second year, then die. The perennial types are supposed to grow and regrow from year to year, but Sweet William perennials usually take two years to flower and often die before blooming a second time.
Proper care of a perennial Sweet William will increase its chances of re-seeding itself, as noted in the caring for Sweet William section
Step 2. Get the plant growing if you want to get flowers in one year
If you want your Sweet William flowers to bloom within a year for sure, get buds or mature plants in fall or spring. Confirm with the previous owner that the plant will flower this year before you bring it home, as some shoots may not flower until their second year.
Seeds that claim to be annual (flower and die within a year) may or may not grow as expected, depending on the species and its reaction to the local climate
Step 3. Decide what to plant
Sweet William seeds are hardy enough to survive the winter, and will be planted in the fall or late spring for flowering 12 to 18 months later. When the plant has started to grow, or if you are concerned about a harsh winter, you may want to put the plant indoors in a pot, then move it outside in early spring. Once the shoots are six to eight weeks old, the plant will be easy to move, with a low risk of damage.
Step 4. Find an area with good sunlight but cool temperatures
Sweet William grows best in full sun, but is best suited to cooler climates. Ideally, these plants can receive four to five hours of direct sunlight a day, but planting in shade is a good option if you live in an area with a hot climate.
Step 5. Check your soil
Sweet William likes rich, loose soil that has good drainage. water must flow quickly through the soil, and not pool on the surface of solid, hard soil. Optionally, you can mix the soil and supplement the existing soil with potting soil to provide more nutrients. While you don't need to test the pH of your soil in order to grow Sweet William successfully, you can adjust the pH to slightly alkaline (approximately 6.75) if you already have a garden pH kit.
Garden soil pH kits are available at garden supply stores or online. Again, this is not a required tool for growing Sweet William, a plant that adapts easily when it comes to soil pH
Step 6. Plant your seeds
Plant Sweet William in spring or summer. Place it on the surface and cover with 0.6 cm of soil, or dig a trench to the same depth and fill it again after planting the plant. Leave 15 cm between seeds under ideal conditions to reduce the chance of rot and disease transmission. If you don't have enough space to space the seeds apart, you can plant closer together, but be careful not to overwater.
When you're transplanting shoots, just move the soil around the roots until it's twice as wide as the root ball, then backfill. Be careful not to pile up the stems of the plant; Plants should be planted at the same depth as before
Step 7. Water after planting
Sweet William seeds and shoots benefit from watering immediately after transplanting, but be careful not to submerge the plants as watering too much water prevents the soil from draining. Transplanted shoots should be kept in moist but not soggy soil for several days. Once the plant is established and has recovered from any possible damage, treat the plant as described in the care section.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Sweet William
Step 1. Water a little
Keep the soil around the shoots slightly moist to slightly dry. Once the plant is established and no longer growing, most species don't need watering except during hot weather. As with any plant, water more often when it looks wilted or the soil is cracked.
Sweet William plants will rot if exposed to too much water, so don't overwater. The soil should not feel wet or have standing water
Step 2. Fertilize the plant (optional)
If you want to promote faster growth and flower growth, apply a general-purpose fertilizer to the soil every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer, when growth or flowering is visible). Follow the instructions on the particular fertilizer carefully to prevent the plant from burning or damaging it.
Step 3. Treat young plants with insecticides
Spray a general-purpose insecticide on young plants to reduce the chance of disease. Sweet William is susceptible to nematodes. If you see nematodes, which look like tiny round caterpillars, apply a fungicide to the plant according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Notes:
If you plan to eat Sweet William flowers or give them to pets, do not treat the plant with any pesticides.
Step 4. Pick the dead flowers
The Sweet William plant usually blooms during late spring or early summer, and its flowers run out due to the summer heat. When the Sweet William flowers have dried, gently pluck them and throw them away. This will encourage new flowers to grow, and prevent the plants from dropping seeds if you want to keep your garden from spreading.
Part 3 of 3: Propagating Sweet William Plants
Step 1. Let plants that are growing well sow their own seeds
If your Sweet William plant is cared for properly, and the breed is suitable for the local climate, there is a good chance that the plant will seed your garden with a new generation before it dies. If you want Sweet William plants to grow widely in your garden, just let the flowers ripen, die, and drop their own seeds.
Know that some types of flowers are hybrids of several types of plants, you may produce seeds that grow into plants that look or have different characteristics from the parent plant
Step 2. Harvest new seeds from plants
From mid to late summer, after the flowers die, they will form dry brown seed pods. Pick the seed pods as they open and will release the seeds. Shake the seed pods in a container to get disc-shaped black seeds for planting in the fall or spring.
Step 3. Cut off the dry stalks after the seeds drop
Once the seeds have dropped, or you have harvested your own, cut the seed pods from the stalks. Normally Sweet William plants will spend too much energy producing seeds to continue growing the following year, but picking the pods will increase the chances of new flowers developing.
Step 4. Take cuttings from established plants
If you are lucky enough to have a Sweet William that survives more than a year or two, the plants will become quite large. In fall or early spring, before much of the season's growth has occurred, cut off one of the larger stems from near the base with a clean knife. These cuttings or cuttings can be grown into new plants, although you may need to cook the supply so the plants can stand upright.
Cuttings from new plants take a long time to take root. Plant in a warm, moist area away from direct sunlight to prevent it from drying out. Place the plant under transparent plastic or a container that can provide the necessary moist conditions
Tips
- Sweet William flowers are edible, although other parts of the plant can be dangerous to eat. Do not eat flowers that are treated with pesticides, planted near roads, or in areas with public access.
- Compost or humus is usually unnecessary for Sweet William, and can cause the soil to become too moist if you water too much.
Warning
- Sweet William is prone to root rot. Better watering less than watering too much, unless you notice your wilted plant has brown spots.
- The leaves of the Sweet William plant can be poisonous, especially to children or pets. Call a poison control center or veterinarian as soon as you suspect a member of your household has eaten the leaves of the Sweet William plant.
