492 



Gardening for Amateurs 



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 Rooted cutting of Perpetual Carnation. 



pots, growing them in these for a few weeks 

 before plunging them in 3-inch pots. 



" Stopping " and Repotting. When 

 the Carnations are well established in 2|- 

 inch pots admit air freely during favourable 

 weather, and encourage them to make 

 vigorous growth. After they are 6 inches 

 high pinch out the tops to induce the forma- 

 tion of side shoots. This is best done in 

 the morning, when the growth is brittle ; if 

 the tops are given a sharp bend sideways 

 they will snap off easily. It is a mistake to 

 pinch or stop the young plants too soon ; 

 at least four or five pairs of leaves should be 



left after the top has been removed. Young 

 shoots will develop and make quick pro- 

 gress, and these in their turn may be stopped 

 once when they are 6 inches long. The second 

 stopping must not be performed after the 

 middle of June, or the plants will be very 

 late in commencing to flower. When the 

 plants are well rooted, pot them on into 

 5-inch pots ; for this potting the soil may 

 be used in rather coarser condition. Fibrous 

 loam (turfy soil) is the principal ingredient, 

 and should be used in the proportion of 

 3 parts to 1 part of leaf-soil, while a fair 

 sprinkling of crushed charcoal and silver 

 sand must be added to keep the soil " sweet 

 and open." The inclusion of old mortar 



Taking out th< 



induce the formation 

 shoots. 



mem 



Side shoots form in a few weeks after the 

 plant has been "stopped." 



rubble, broken fine, is also beneficial if 

 the loam is inclined to be heavy, but only 

 a small quantity is needed, about a 7-inch 

 potful to each bushel of soil. Work the 

 soil well around the roots and pot firmly. 

 Do not place the plants in the pots too 

 deeply, but let them be the same depth 

 in the soil as before, for deep potting some- 

 times causes stem rot. 



Watering must at all times be very 

 carefully carried out, especially after the 

 plants are freshly potted, as a saturated 

 condition of the soil is harmful to Carna- 

 tions. Allow the soil to become moderately 

 dry, just so that the plants do not flag or 

 droop, then afford sufficient water to moisten 



