CUT-FLOWER CROPS 231 



272. Care of rooted cuttings (Fig. 24). As soon as 

 the cuttings have developed roots from one-fourth to one- 

 half inch in length, they are potted in two-inch pots, or put 

 into flats. For the lighter soils, flats are preferred, as there 

 is less injury to the rootlets when the plants are trans- 

 ferred to the field. They economize room and eliminate 

 much time and trouble in handling pots. A ball of 

 roots is thus formed at the base of the stem, and in 

 later transplantings, the growth of the plant is not 

 seriously checked. For heavier soils, pots may be used. 



In potting the plants from the cutting benches, or in 

 putting them into pots, great care should be taken not 

 to set them too deeply in the soil. Deeply set cuttings 

 usually die, especially if over-watered, and plants so set 

 are more subject to stem-rot. The soil for potting should 

 not be very rich. As soon as the plants are potted, they 

 should be thoroughly watered, and at no time should 

 they be allowed to dry out. There is a tendency to 

 neglect plants during the early stages of their growth, 

 and this is exceedingly detrimental to a healthy growth of 

 the matured plants. Cuttings should be kept growing 

 vigorously and never allowed to become pot-bound. The 

 best results are obtained by growing young carnation 

 plants in a comparatively low temperature, and a soft, 

 succulent growth should never be permitted. As soon 

 as the weather is sufficiently warm, the plants should be 

 placed in cold frames to harden the tissue before they are 

 planted in the field. In New York State, this planting 

 will usually be about the first of May. They should 

 have been in cold frames at least twq weeks before this 

 date. 



273. Field culture. Carnations are usually grown 

 for a time in the field. This insures a firm growth, which 



