PERPETUAL-FLOWERING CARNATIONS IN POTS. 389 



PERPETUAL-FLOWERING CARNATIONS IN POTS. 



By W. H. CuTBUSH, F.R.H.S. 



[Read November 17, 1014 ; Dr. F. Keeble, F.R.S., in the Chair.] 



The chief reason for growing Carnations in pots or in any other manner 

 is usually to obtain large quantities of good flowers for cutting, and 

 it is this object I have in view in writing this paper. 



In order to begin at the earhest stage, I have started right from 

 the time the cuttings are taken. 



There is considerable difference of opinion as to which is the best 

 time to take cuttings ; some growers prefer autumn, and some spring. 

 Undoubtedly the autumn-struck cuttings make the larger plants, 

 but it is not always possible to get good cuttings, and in some districts, 

 especially in the north, it is difficult to keep the young plants soft 

 and growing during the dull months — a most essential point, for once 

 the young plants get hard it is not easy to get them to break into 

 growth again, especially after stopping ; but whether autumn or 

 spring cuttings are used all should be taken by the end of March, 

 and earlier if possible. 



I prefer to root the cuttings in washed sand, either in pots or in 

 a cutting frame in the propagating-house, but on no account have a 

 light on the frame. There should be a gentle bottom heat to the 

 frame. A simple manner, where room is not a consideration, is to 

 put a single cutting into a thumb-pot and plunge the pot to the rim 

 in coconut fibre. This method saves the chance of breaking the 

 young roots at potting time. Short -jointed cuttings should always 

 be selected, and free side-growths make the best. In selecting the 

 cuttings, care should be taken to take them from the healthiest plants 

 only, and from those with the best-shaped flowers. This ensures 

 keeping a good type of the variety, and even improves the type. Great 

 care must be taken in watering the cuttings. A good watering when 

 first put in should be given, after which water the sand and not the 

 cuttings. If the bottom-heat pipes run in a water-tank or have 

 troughs on them it is seldom necessary to water after the first good 

 watering. They should be shaded from hot, bright sun, but on no 

 account should the shading remain constantly on, and it should always 

 be taken off at night. The cuttings must not lie about before putting 

 them in the sand or they will dry and not root. The sand should be 

 about 6 inches deep, and the cuttings dibbed into it firmly in the frame. 

 Never use the same sand a second time. 



As soon as the cuttings have rooted— which is in from three to 

 six weeks — they should be potted singly into 2j-inch pots, great care 



