A bit of colour

[MattA]

This little planting is just a bit of fun. The chinese pot came from Orient Bonsai in Melb many years ago & sat empty until i dug this old carnation out of the garden & realised how nice a trunk it had developed over the years.

It has been an interesting learning curve but now i have watering worked out she seems happy enough to set flower once again.

carnation2.JPG

Matt

[Andrew F]

Where were you hiding that gem???

[Petra]

nice Matt,
you always come up with the unthinkable. Keep up the good work.

[nealweb]

sweet

[MattA]

Drew, It was sitting on the end of the top stand in full view

Petra, its easy when you dont think

Neal, thanks... the smell is heaven scent

[Andrew F]

... the smell is heaven scent

I see what you did there.....hahaha.

[MattA]

With the most flowers its ever had I am loving this...

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Not sure if I should repot this spring or let it go another year, either way it will be getting a good haircut once these blooms are finished.

Came across a pic of it just after potting up, I hope the date stamp is right as I will use it as a guide for repotting, in feb!

newhome.jpg

[squizzy]

If you got rid of the flower in the 1st photo you could say it resembles a pandanas on a coastal rocky point.

What do you think?

Squizz

[MattA]

Squizz, I think you have great vision. I will organise a new pic minus flowers.

[MattA]

Sans flowers

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[craigw60]

Hi Matt, dianthus love lime and it really helps them produce lots of flowers.
Craigw

[MattA]

Thanks for the tip Craig, got one to stop the branches growing so long before flowering?

[Philippe Tot]

Hi Matt,


Had a look at you're request. Dianthus -Fire star- part of the Caryophyllaceae family. Hard to tell from your photo, but it could also be Dianthus chinensus variety also known as China Pink, but don’t let the name though you off. The flower in the Chinese variety is also of the crimson type.

In any case, your perennial requires good deep soil, so your Chinese Pot medium of choice is spot on. I do agree as others in the above have said , that Dianthus is a Alkaline lover, but be sure not to tip the scales to much there as they only like it risen above the metre. They basically also like neutral soils. And in some cases slight Acid.

Your key to strong flowers is in not only lime/leaf matter but also in deep compacted heat regulating soil. If you wish here at the Lingnan Penjing Academy we stock Penjing soil that would make your Dianthus re-collaborate its flux & Produce smaller foliage more acutely. (5 element Bacteria Timed )

You're overall focus if you were to Chinese influence your tree is in 70% in hard wood. 30% foliage. This offcourse will, shift focus via the seasons to flower season, 70% flower- 30% Hard wood. You will achieve this by simplifying your design to a Confucianism Guest/host relationship in you’re composition and have the 2 clearly defined in this unity.

Very good to see you're choosing out of the norm material - Remember, (If indeed this is the path you choose) in Penjing focus is not so much in doctrine or mantranistic ideal. But One of simplistic direction, interest, full of moment to moment reality that keeps one guessing and encourages contemplation, just as one does in Life.

(And to answer your former question books are still being steadily on when time permits, but plan to have the 1st volume out in late 2013 but we’ll see how that one goes )

Warmest regards my friend,


Philippe Tot

[MattA]

Philippe,
Many thanks for sharing your insight into my little bit of fun. It was grown from a packet of Carnation seed that was selected for fragrance, the intent was some flowers to enjoy & pick for friends etc. Even since living in a pot, it is to enliven my bench with a bit of colour and the spicy scent is a great start to the day

I don't ascribe to any school, I will leave the philosophy side of things to those inclined. I am interested in growing the best I can regardless of species, common or not so... For me it is all about the material that presents itself and this has such character in the trunk, its hard to show in a photo. I have kept myself to simply trimming the long shots once a flower has finished so its shape is I suppose 'natural'

It is currently growing in a mix of garden soil, compost & a little gravel but is definitely in need of being replaced. Maybe I can come down some time in february and we can work on it together

It's great to hear the book is progressing, it is a much needed addition to my library & I am sure many others will appreciate it just as much.

Highest respect & warmest regard

Matt

[GavinG]

Philippe, please keep us posted on the book series. How many volumes are you planning? Your approach is one which has not been well documented for Westerners, so your efforts will be appreciated.

Gavin