This document provides information about miniature carnations, including their identification, how to pick healthy specimens, how to keep them fresh, and where they are typically grown. Miniature carnations have bluish green stems and curled, narrow leaves that resemble monocots, with lumps at the nodes and flowers that come in many colors on smaller stems than standard carnations. They should be picked with long, straight stems that support the flowers without brown or gray discoloration or split calyces, and kept cool out of sunlight, changing the water and using a floral preservative to last about two weeks. Most miniature carnations are grown in Colombia.

1. Miniature Carnation Group: Cut Flowers & Foliage Type of Plant: Dicot Leaf Arrangement: Opposite Identification : Bluish green stem and leaves, covered with white wax. Leaves long, narrow, and curled, looks monocotty. Lumps at nodes. Flowers in MANY different colors; a less fat calyx than standard carnation. Many smaller flower per stem. Dianthus species

2. How to pick healthy carnations : Long, straight stems which support the flowers. No brown or gray discoloration on the petals. No split calyx – untaped is better. No “sleepy” petals. How to keep them fresh : Keep them cool and out of the sunlight. Change water and use a floral preservative. How long will they usually last? Two weeks out of the cooler. Where are they grown? Mostly Colombia. Miniature Carnation Dianthus species