Dianthus

[ChrisB]

Hi, I have a nice cushion dianthus that I am keen to identify, hope you can help. Flower is 9-10mm diameter. Mound is about 15cm.  Sparsely flowering, only two this year.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Chris,
Is the foliage very prickly? If it is it could be D. webbianus (syn D.erinaceus).
If not very sharp it could be D.anatolicus,
cheers
fermi

[ChrisB]

Bingo, Fermi, its very prickly and D. erinaceus is on my list too!  Such a tiny little flower!  Thank you, thank you!  There is probably a label somewhere under the cushion, but I didn't want to disturb it.....

[John85]

D.erinaceus is often shy flowering.
Any ideas to improve flowering?

[Maggi Young]

D.erinaceus is often shy flowering.
Any ideas to improve flowering?

The two biggest plants I've had never flowered at all!

[johnw]

Had two flowers on this plant one year.  It has been around since the late 70's, so going on 40 years old.  Needs a once over with the Dyson.

john

[John85]

Maggi,
I think they don't like the Scottish climate,too cold,not enough sun.
But gardeners in the South should be more successful
But...you can grow orchids and meconopsis as if it were weeds!!!

[Maggi Young]

True, John!  We have much to be grateful for!

[ChrisB]

Mine has had two flowers this year. Was going to put a few lime pellets under it to see if that improves matters, what do you think?

[brianw]

Mine is from a sink rescue a few years back. About 8" diameter, 3 flowers this year. Need to pot it on or plant out. What is the best time and way to propagate? Has rooted out the bottom or it would not look so healthy with my erratic watering of it. A very tolerant plant.

[ChrisB]

I'm loathe to take it out of the sink as it will disturb other plants growing well, a very nice witches broom pine is one, so I did wonder about putting some lime under the cushion, which I can still raise at this stage. Wonder if the reason yours looks so lush, John, is the concrete base that is giving it enough lime to keep it happy?  Or am I wrong altogether?