Growing Telstar Series Mix Dianthus Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Dianthus chinensis x barbatus
- Other Names: Pink, Rainbow Pink, China Pink
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Telstar Series Mix dianthus seeds can be sown immediately after the frost or, for earliest blooms, start indoors 8 – 10 weeks prior. Germination will take 7 – 14 days then transplant and harden off seedlings once there are two sets of true leaves to a partially sunny spot in the garden or equally bright place indoors.
- Days to Maturity: 105 – 112 days
- Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
- Planting Depth: Lightly press without covering 4 – 5 seeds into soil
- Plant Spacing: 10”
- Growth Habit: 8 – 10” tall cascading mound with a 10” spread of uniquely fringed 1 – 2” blooms
- Soil Preference: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun – Partial shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Do not overwater because Telstar Series Mix dianthus is susceptible to crown rot, rust, and leaf spots caused by saturation if not properly drained or ventilated in crowded gardens. Plants will benefit from deadheading and partial shade during long summer days. Dianthus has no serious pests, but watch for slugs and snails.
- Color: Mix of bicolored blooms in shades of pink, velvet, fuchsia, magenta, and white
Telstar Series Mix dianthus seeds can be sown immediately after the frost or, for earliest blooms, start indoors 8 – 10 weeks prior. Germination will take 7 – 14 days then transplant and harden off seedlings once there are two sets of true leaves to a partially sunny spot in the garden or equally bright place indoors. Lightly press 4 – 5 Telstar Series Mix dianthus seeds 10” apart into average, medium moist, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Do not overwater because Telstar Series Mix dianthus is susceptible to crown rot, rust, and leaf spots caused by saturation if not properly drained or ventilated in crowded gardens. Plants will benefit from deadheading and partial shade during long summer days. Dianthus has no serious pests, but watch for slugs and snails. Telstar Series Mix dianthus seeds mature in 105 – 112 days as 8 – 10” tall cascading mounds with a 10” spread of unique 1 – 2” blooms.
Dianthus chinensis x barbatus, sometimes referred to as Rainbow Pink or just simply Pink, is native to many of the moderate climates of eastern Asia including China, Mongolia, Korea, and much of eastern Russia. Dianthus chinensis x barbatus is strikingly similar in appearance to its cousin of the same Dianthus genus, Sweet William flower. Dianthus has been popularly cultivated throughout Asia for hundreds of years, but has since been naturalized throughout most of the world including one variety of Dianthus barbatus which thrives in the North American arctic.