CHAPTER 19 



THE CARNATION {Dianthus caryophyllus) 



Cultural Considerations. The general trend of 

 cultural operations in the greenhouse (fig. 45) 

 should be toward the production of a healthy, 

 vigorous growth. The cutting itself will, to a cer- 

 tain extent, predetermine the health of the plant. 

 Cuttings should not be weak to begin with. Those 

 which are firm, but also somewhat soft, are desirable. 

 The best cuttings are usually made from the strong 

 pips along the sides of the stems. As soon as the 

 cuttings have developed roots in the propagating 

 bed, they are usually transplanted into pots or into 

 flats. In either case, they should not be planted too 

 deeply in the soil. Deeply set cuttings are more 

 subject to stem rot, especially when overwatered. 

 As the cuttings develop they should not be permit- 

 ted to become pot bound. By keeping them in a 

 comparatively low temperature, the formation of 

 soft succulent growth will be prevented. With 

 many growers, carnations are grown in the field for 

 a time. This practically insures vigorous growth as 

 it develops a certain hardiness and resistance to dis- 

 ease. Where land is scarce, carnations are grown 

 indoors in the summer. Such plants, however, are 



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