Carnation Growers Key Terms

Understanding terms all carnation growers should know
By Kim Finn Growing carnations can provide lots of fulfillment; they're relatively easy to grow and produce beautiful flowers that look great in arrangements and boutonnieres. Before you start your carnation-growing business, make sure you understand terms you should know when growing carnations. While easy to grow, carnations don't come with guarantees against pests and diseases. Besides the proper name for carnations, this guide explains some of the more common terms associated with carnations like aphids, variegated cutworm, Carnation mottle virus, Carnation etched ring virus and Fusarium Wilt.

Dianthus

The scientific name for a carnation is Dianthus, and the most commonly used carnation is Dianthus caryophyllus. More than 300 species of Dianthus exist, along with hundreds of hybrid varieties. Dianthus varieties grow as annuals, biennials and perennials. Some carnations can reach 3 feet high, but garden-variety carnations generally range from 10 to 20 inches high. You may also hear carnations referred to as Pinks, Clove Pinks, Gillies and Gilly Flowers.
Try:  Learn more about Dianthus at Botany.com.

Aphids

Aphids are small green, yellow, brown, red or black insects that pierce stems, leaves and other plant parts to suck out fluids from carnations and many other types of plants, trees and shrubs.
Try:  Get more information on aphids from the University of California's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Variegated cutworm

Variegated cutworms are caterpillars that clip buds and stems from more mature carnations and other flowers, and they cut younger plants off at the soil surface.
Try:  The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has descriptions and drawings of a variegated cutworm in all its stages. 

Carnation mottle virus (CarMV)

In testing on carnation samples, the virus most frequently discovered is Carnation mottle virus. While it can cause symptomless infections in the larger varieties used for cut flowers, the highly infectious virus can result in mottling and stunting in miniature carnations. Carnation mottle virus spreads by plant-to-plant contact and by propagating infecting plants.
Try:  Read a scientific description of Carnation mottle virus provided by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.

Carnation etched ring virus (CERV)

Carnation etched ring virus ranks as the second most widespread virus in carnations after the Carnation mottle virus. Symptoms, if they occur, include necrotic rings and flecks and chlorotic (yellowing) line patterns on carnation leaves.
Try:  Learn more about Carnation etched ring virus from the University of Idaho's Plant Viruses Online. 

Fusarium wilt

Fusarium wilt is a soil-borne fungus disease that commonly affects carnations. It attacks at the roots, seeds or wounded cuttings. Once infected, plants first turn a dull green, then wilt and turn the color of straw.
Try:  For a quick primer on Fusarium wilt, read the online guide on controlling Fusarium wilt in carnations from the Oregon State University Extension Service.