CHAPTER XIX 



Carnations for Summer Blooming and Pot Culture 



AS a general rule, the carnation, when grown for Summer blooming,, 

 does not do well in our dry climate. While crops of very fair flowers- 

 may be secured during the months of June and September, and, at 

 times, extending through the month of October and even into November, 

 the droughts which usually occur in July and August are a serious detri- 

 ment, as during these dry spells thrips and red spider frequently destroy the 

 blooms, and seriously injure the plants. Probably in more northern parts 

 of the country, and in locations contiguous to the Great Lakes or other large 

 bodies of water, which modify and moisten the climate, the carnation will 

 do well when grown as a Summer flowering plant. 



In order to secure good crops of flowers in the open ground, plants 

 grown from early struck cuttings, taken from early blooming varieties, 

 must be used. While many -of the early flowering sorts do well outside as- 

 Summer bloomers, but comparatively few of the late varieties will prove 

 at all satisfactory in this respect, excepting in localities where climatic con- 

 ditions during the months of September and October are favorable. 



The best time to strike cuttings for this purpose is generally in October, 

 November, and the early part of December. These cuttings should be potted 

 up when well rooted, and kept in cool houses during the winter, shift- 

 ing the plants whenever the pots have become well filled with roots. It is 

 essential that this shifting should be done at the proper time in order to 

 keep the plants in growing condition ; for if neglected, and allowed to become 

 potbound and stunted at any period, the plants will give inferior results. 



From the middle of April to the ist of May, the plants should be set 

 into the open ground. At this time, if proper growth has been made, they 

 will be in four to five-inch pots, according to the vigor of the variety ; and' 

 should have been pinched back at least once, and preferably twice. Each 

 shoot should be pinched back as soon as it shows a disposition to develop a 

 bud. 



In planting out, the balls of earth should be disturbed no more than- 

 is necessary to soften them up in order to prevent hardening, so that growth- 



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