Mother's Day Carnations: Potted Plants are Recommended for Both Giving and Receiving

As Mother's Day approaches,
the streets are filled with carnations.

Red, pink, white...
Every time I see those colors, my heart aches,
because I lost my mother when I was 22.

At every major milestone, like my wedding or the birth of my children,
I have thought,
"I wish you were here by my side."
That feeling will likely never fade.
But because I have those feelings,

I have come to wish, "I must stay healthy for my children and my family!"
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Potted carnations are a "gift that grows"

A few years ago on Mother's Day,
instead of my little grandchildren,
I prepared a potted carnation.

I secretly bought a gift for the grandchildren to give to their mom. You can buy beautiful flowers at supermarkets now, too.

But mom seems to have a hard time managing flowers with child-rearing and a full-time job.
If I gave it to her, I would have to take care of it...

Usually, I would think,
"Potted plants are a high hurdle..."
but for some reason, I felt I could do it this time.

Inspiration and intuition are important.
If you trust yourself and move forward, you can usually do it,
and even if you fail, you can just try again.
Gardening is meant to be enjoyed casually.

Mom was very happy! 💖

Now, it was my turn.
I removed the wrapping film,
put it in the sun, and watered it.

The cute pink frills bloomed,
and I was very happy.

After the flowers finished, I cut back the stems,
re-potted it into a larger size, and brought it indoors for the winter.

Then, it bloomed again the following year! This was a great success experience for me.
It was the moment I was moved,
thinking, "Flowers really do respond to you."

5 reasons why potted carnations are recommended

As a Mother's Day gift,
I recommend potted carnations.

This is because potted plants have many wonderful points.

1. They can be enjoyed longer than cut flowers

First, they can beenjoyed longerthan cut flowers.
Since they have roots, they can sometimes continue to bloom for over a month with care.
It is a joy to have time to relax every day while looking at the flowers.

2. They can be made to bloom again the next year

Carnations are
perennials of the Dianthus genus in the Caryophyllaceae family.

If you help them survive the winter well,they will bloom again the following year.
It is not just a gift for that year,
but it is also wonderful to connect memories between parent and child,
saying, "It bloomed again this year."

3. They can be moved anywhere without choosing a place to decorate

Potted plants are also attractive becauseyou don't have to choose where to put them.
You can move them from the entrance to the balcony depending on the sunlight, or decorate them in the living room once they start blooming.
In your daily life, the time you spend with flowers will naturally increase.

4. There is the joy of growing them

And above all, there is the joy of nurturing them little by little.
Watering them, picking off flowers that have finished blooming.
As you take care of them, you will grow increasingly attached to them.

5. They look gorgeous and make for a striking gift

Recent potted plants come with gorgeous wrapping and are
very beautiful to look at.
They are well-received when given as gifts, and it is wonderful that they also look great in photos.

Carnation Language of Flowers by Color (Trivia to Know Before Giving)

• Red: Love for mother, true love

• Pink: Gratitude, warm heart

• White: Pure love, respect (also given to a deceased mother)

• Yellow: Contempt, jealousy (*a color rarely chosen for gifts)

• Orange: Ardent love, passion

  • Blue: Eternal happiness

Choosing based on the meaning of the color helps convey your feelings even better.

[Practical Information] Enjoying Potted Carnations for a Long Time

1. Place in a sunny spot

Carnations are plants that love sunlight.
They will grow healthily if placed in a sunny, well-ventilated outdoor area rather than indoors.

2. Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry

When the surface of the potting soil is dry,
water thoroughly until it flows out from the bottom of the pot.

To avoid overwatering, be sure to discard any water that collects in the saucer.

3. Do not get water on the flowers or buds

Getting water on the flowers or buds
can cause diseases.
Try to water gently at the base.

4. Fertilize regularly

While the plant is blooming, it needs nutrients.

Applying a fertilizer with higher phosphorus and potassium content about once a week will improve blooming.

5. Remove spent flowers promptly

Leaving spent flowers on the plant can cause
gray mold.

Cut off the dead flowers just above the leaves (nodes) below the bloom, and wash the scissors with water after each use.

Pruning frequently helps prevent humidity buildup.

6. Avoid strong summer sunlight

Since carnations are sensitive to high heat and humidity,
avoid direct sunlight during the summer,
and move them to a well-ventilated, semi-shaded area.

7. Keep them out of the rain

Exposure to rain for long periods can lead to pests and diseases.

On rainy days, move them to a place like under the eaves
where they will not get wet.

8. Perform disbudding

If there are multiple buds on a single stem,
pinching off 2 or 3 small buds
will allow the remaining flowers to grow larger.

Touch the buds,
and leave the ones that feel firm and full.
Pinch off the ones that feel soft or hollow.

9. Bring indoors in winter to protect from frost

Carnations are sensitive to cold.
Bring them indoors before winter arrives,
and keep them in a sunny spot.
For winter watering,
it is sufficient to water thoroughly only when the soil is dry.
... ... ...

With just a little extra care,
carnations, which are often thought of as annuals,
can be enjoyed again the following year.

Conclusion: Why not start a "Mother's Day of Growing" yourself?

Mother's Day is known as a day for giving, but perhaps it could also be a day to try growing flowers for yourself.
Whether you live apart from your mother or, like me, lost your mother early in life,
the time spent tending to flowers can sometimes heal the heart.

If you are still undecided,
why not pick up a potted carnation this year?
I am sure that from that small pot,

great joy will grow.

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