CHAPTER II 

 Carnations in Winter and Summer 



Perpetual Flowering Carnations Out of Doors 



Q. Are perpetual flowering Carnations of any value for growing 

 out of doors ? E. J. W., Hampton. 



A. Yes, they are invaluable. If put out in May they bloom all 

 the summer, until October in fact. They are most accommodating. 

 Plants that have flowered in the greenhouse throughout the winter 

 will bloom out of doors the following summer, if planted out in 

 May. They are put out in ground that has been well dug; they 

 need no attention beyond watering during dry weather, staking and 

 an occasional application of artificial manure, this being sprinkled 

 round about the plants and hoed in. 



Perpetual Flowering Carnations in Greenhouse 



Q. Can one grow Perpetual Flowering Carnations in an unheated 

 greenhouse 1 X. Y. Z., Buda. 



A. No ; they need an average winter temperature of 55 ; that is 

 to say that the thermometer must not fall below 45 in cold weather, 

 while during sunny days it may rise to 60 or higher. When the 

 latter temperature is reached a little air should be given. 



Perpetual Flowering Carnations from Cuttings 



Q. Is it difficult to raise them from cuttings ? Adrian, Suanage. 



A . No ; providing the material in which the cuttings are inserted 

 is warmed. They are rooted most successfully in fine sand (silver 

 sand is perhaps the best). Boxes some 3 or 4 inches deep are filled 

 with sand, the cuttings are dibbled in and made as firm at the base 

 as is possible. The boxes are then placed on the hot water pipes. 

 It is wise .to have the boxes prepared a few days before the cuttings 

 are put in so that the sand may get warm. If the sand is watered 

 before the cuttings are put in, probably little more will be 

 required. However, the sand must not be allowed to get really dry- 

 The best cuttings are those taken from towards the base of flower- 

 ing stems. They are put in preferably during January, February 

 and March, although they may be inserted until June. The box 



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