Second year with no flowers means something is off. Systematically check:
| Condition | Fix |
|---|---|
| Too wet | Water only when top 1" dry. Gritty, alkaline mix. |
| Too dry | Don't let pot fully dry out. Mulch surface. |
| Too much shade | Need 6+ hrs direct sun. Move pot. |
| Too little fertilizer | Monthly 5-10-5 or tomato feed. |
| Too much nitrogen | Stop high-N feeds. Use bloom formula. |
| Too deep/shallow planted | Crown at soil level. No mulch against stems. |
| Pot too big/small | Roots should fill pot but not circle densely. |
| Pests/disease | Inspect leaves, stems, roots. Treat accordingly. |
Carnations are sun-lovers. If your planter gets <4 hrs direct sun, that's the primary issue. Move it.
Pull plant out—healthy roots are white/firm. Brown/mushy = rot. Replant in fresh mix if needed.
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