CARNATION 



CARNATION 



669 



pots and left until planted out, the object being to keep 

 the young plants growing steadily until they are planted 

 in the field. Stunted, pot-bound plants will be slow in 

 breaking and are likely to develop stem-rot in the field. 

 Use a moderately light soil and only fairly rich. 



When the young plants begin to run up to flower, 

 they should be topped back to about four joints above 

 the pot (Fig. 812). A low-branched plant will stand up 

 better and will give less trouble in supporting later on. 

 A second topping may be necessary before planting- 

 out time, on early-propagated stock. A slight harden- 

 ing-off of the young plants before planting out is bene- 

 ficial, though not essential. This is usually done by 

 placing the plants in coldframes about two weeks 

 prior to planting them in the field. Late April or early 

 May is the time for planting in the field, according to 

 latitude and climate. A rich loam, inclined to sandiness, 

 produces the finest plants in the shortest time. In a 

 heavy soil the growth will be heavier, but slower and 

 less branching. Set the plants about 8 inches apart in 

 the rows, and if hand-power is to be employed in cul- 

 tivating, space the rows about 16 inches apart. Space 

 farther if horse-power is to be used. 



When a large business is done in young plants or 

 rooted cuttings, a part of the stock is grown espe- 

 cially for cuttings alone. Thes.e plants are benched the 

 game as those for blooming, but are not allowed to 



809. Layer of carnation. The parent 

 stem was severed at s. This method is 

 now employed only in special cases. 



bloom. As the shoots begin to run up to flower, they 

 are broken off a few joints higher up than is done when 

 topping in the field. The young shoots which result 

 from these breaks are taken off for cuttings, the very 

 finest cuttings being secured in this way. These are 

 trimmed and handled the same as those taken from the 

 flower-stems. 



When packing cuttings for shipping, moist sphagnum 

 moss is used in which to pack the roots. Cut papers 

 (newspapers are used mostly) into sheets about 10 by 

 18 inches. Lay a strip of moss about 3 inches wide 

 across the middle of the paper lengthwise. Then lay 

 the cuttings side by side with only the roots on the 

 moss. When twenty-five have been laid on, begin to 

 roll from one end until all the cuttings have been taken 

 up. Then turn in the lower part of the paper and con- 

 tinue to roll until the end of the paper has been reached 

 and tie around with any kind of cord. There is little 

 difference in the returns from plants grown for cuttings 

 and those grown for blooms, providing a fair market 

 is found for each. 



In shipping plants from the field, the soil is all shaken 

 from the roots. The plants are then set upright in the 

 shipping-cases with moist moss between the roots, a 

 layer of damp moss having first been placed on the 

 bottom. 



Cultivate as soon as practicable after each rain, and 

 in the absence of rain at least once each week. Shallow 

 cultivating is recommended, just enough to maintain a 

 loose mulch on the surface. 

 Do not water carnations in 

 the field under any con- 

 sideration. Cultivation will 

 preserve moisture in the 

 soil without causing soft 

 growth. Keep topping back 

 the young shoots as fast as 

 they begin to run up, thus 

 building up a shapely 

 bushy plant. 



// plants are to be placed 

 inside during the summer, 

 the benches should be re- 

 filled and made ready for 

 planting as soon after May 

 1 as possible. It will be a 

 great help to get the plants 

 under way on the benches 

 before hot weather sets in. 

 Fill the benches the same 

 as for field-grown plants 

 and set the plants where 

 they are to bloom. Indoor 

 culture is practicable and 



Erofitable only when the 

 enches can be spared by 

 early May. If a good mar- 

 ket can be found for the 

 May and June cut, they 

 will more than offset the 

 slight advantage derived 

 in the fall from indoor 

 culture. 



If the blooming plants 

 have not made an exceed- 

 ingly rank growth, they 

 may be cut back sharp 

 early in May, cleaned off, 

 mulched with long manure 

 and grown on for blooming the following year. This 

 should not be attempted, however, unless the plants 

 are free from disease or insects and in good condition 

 to break freely from the lower part of the plant. 



Carnations are grown successfully on both raised and 

 solid benches. Perfect drainage is essential, and must 

 be provided for, if solid beds are to be used. There will 

 be no difference in the quality or the quantity if both 

 are properly handled. 



By the end of June 

 the old blooming plants 

 will become exhausted, 

 and refilling the benches 

 to receive the new plants 

 from the field will be in 

 order. Clean out the old 

 soil, whitewash the in- 

 side of the benches with 

 hot lime and allow to 

 dry before refilling with 

 the new earth. Four 

 inches of soil is enough, 

 and should be of equal 

 depth all over the bench, 

 especially along the 

 edges. The soil should 

 be fairly moist, but not 

 wet when the plants are 

 set, so that the roots 

 may draw moisture 

 from the soil rather 

 than have the soil draw 

 the moisture from the 8ll. Strong cutting, well rooted. 



810. a. Desirable cuttings. 

 b. Weak cutting, too high up 

 on stem. c. Too low on stem. 



