Crop details

Carnations (cut flower)

Dianthus caryophyllus

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Quick stats

Family	Caryophyllaceae
Typical harvest	10.0 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	9
Seasons	0

Crop profile

Growth habit	perennial
Days to harvest	365
Main uses	Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements (standard and spray types) and for florist trade.
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Cool-season floriculture crop grown in highland and temperate regions, often in greenhouses or net houses.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	10–20 °C
Rainfall	700–1100 mm/yr
Altitude	1200–2600 m
Best pH	6.2–6.8
Soil type	Light to medium-textured, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter, with low salinity.
Row spacing	40 cm
Plant spacing	20 cm
Planting depth	2 cm
Seed rate	kg/ha (check local recommendation)
Nursery days	45

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is perennial, which means once you plant it, the same plant can keep producing for many years. You can normally start harvesting about 365 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements (standard and spray types) and for florist trade..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Cool-season floriculture crop grown in highland and temperate regions, often in greenhouses or net houses. It is grouped under: Oil & Industrial.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 700 to 1100 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2600 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6.2 to 6.8. It does well in light to medium-textured, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter, with low salinity.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 40 centimetres apart, and leave about 20 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 2 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use good quality seed or healthy planting material. Follow local extension advice for the exact amount per hectare.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 45 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Plant healthy, virus-free rooted cuttings or young plants on raised, well-drained beds. Space plants to allow good air circulation and light penetration.

Transplanting: Transplant in cool parts of the day, water plants before and after transplanting, and avoid burying stems too deep to prevent collar rots.

Irrigation: Maintain even moisture but avoid saturation. Drip irrigation is preferred to keep foliage dry and reduce foliar diseases.

Fertigation: Use split applications of balanced NPK via fertigation. Carnations respond well to regular, small doses; maintain adequate Ca/Mg for stem strength.

Pest scouting: Scout frequently for aphids, thrips, spider mites, leaf miners and caterpillars, especially on buds and young shoots. Check for fusarium wilt, rust and other rots.

Pruning: Pinch young plants to encourage branching and multiple flowering stems. Remove side shoots where single long stems are desired and stake or support stems.

Harvest: Harvest in the “paint brush” to half-open stage depending on market. Cut in the cool hours, using sharp tools, and avoid damaging remaining buds on the plant.

Postharvest: Hydrate stems immediately in clean water or preservative solution, pre-cool, grade by stem length and flower stage, bunch and sleeve for cold-chain transport.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK 17-17-17 + compost	180 kg/ha (plus 6–8 t/ha compost)	N: 30, P₂O₅: 30, K₂O: 30	Broadcast and incorporate into raised beds before transplanting rooted cuttings.
2	Early growth topdress	35	CAN 26% N	100 kg/ha	N: 26, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply along rows on moist soil; can also be delivered via fertigation in split doses.
3	Flowering K boost	75	Sulfate of potash (SOP)	80 kg/ha	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 40	Apply as plants approach main flowering flushes, preferably via fertigation or banding; avoid chloride-rich K sources.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	50	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	40	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	60	kg/ha
N	Early_growth	40	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Early_growth	10	kg/ha
K₂O	Early_growth	40	kg/ha
N	Production_flush	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Production_flush	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Production_flush	60	kg/ha

Field images (picha shambani)

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Standard carnation selection (red/pink)	KE	365	Long stems, single large flower per stem, suited to export markets.
Spray carnation mix	TZ	365	Multiple smaller flowers per stem, ideal for bouquets and local florists.
Fragrant carnation type	UG	365	Good fragrance and colour range for niche/local floriculture.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17 + compost	180	Apply and incorporate into the bed before planting rooted cuttings.
Vegetative/early flowering	CAN 26% N	100	Apply in 1–2 splits after establishment or via fertigation to support vegetative growth.
Flowering and stem quality	Sulfate of potash (SOP)	80	Apply during heavy flowering periods to enhance stem strength and flower quality.

Name	Type	Management
Aphids	pest	Use biological control agents where possible, maintain weed control, and apply selective treatments based on scouting.
Thrips	pest	Monitor with sticky traps, maintain hygiene and use IPM-based controls targeting buds and flowers.
Spider mites	pest	Avoid water stress, maintain correct humidity, and introduce predatory mites where feasible.
Leaf miners	pest	Remove and destroy mined leaves, use traps and appropriate IPM tools when thresholds are reached.
Cutworms/caterpillars	pest	Good field sanitation, removal of weeds and debris, and targeted control early in infestation.
Fusarium wilt	disease	Use clean planting material, well-drained beds, avoid replanting in infected soils and rotate if wilt is severe.
Rust	disease	Maintain airflow, avoid overcrowding and prolonged leaf wetness, and remove infected foliage.
Botrytis (grey mould)	disease	Avoid overhead watering late in the day, harvest dry flowers, improve ventilation and maintain hygiene in houses and pac...
Bacterial stem/collar rots	disease	Use well-drained media, avoid over-irrigation and injury at stem base, and remove affected plants promptly.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Open-field / low-input carnations	5	3	7	Represents modest stem production; actual monitoring often in stems/ha (~150–250k stems).
Greenhouse/net house managed	10	6	14	Well-managed cut flower system, often 200–350k marketable stems/ha/year.
Intensive export floriculture	15	10	20	High plant density, good fertigation and climate management, with rigorous grading for export.

No season calendars yet.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Highland floriculture belts with cool nights and good irrigation
TZ	Northern/southern highlands and selected irrigated valleys suited to cool floriculture
UG	Highland and cooler mid-altitude zones with reliable water for floriculture