red. Then the plants are allowed to form their flower 
stems. When the buds develop sufficiently large, all 
side buds are removed thus leaving single bud to a 
stem. 
FEEDING AND WATERING 
Very wet or very dry soil conditions are both 
detrimental to support a vigorous, healthy growth of 
carnations. Although in winter, they will stand be- 
ing kept fairly dry much better than on the wet side, 
especially since we have most of our rainfall at that 
time here in Southern California. 
As carnations are an ever-blooming flower, feed- 
ing should be made almost the year around after 
the final topping in July. Nitrogen content stimulates 
a rapid leaf and stem growth; phosphoric acid and 
potash build up steady, firm growth of plant with 
large flower, good substance and good color. For 
these reasons, complete fertilizers which are in the 
market today, such as “Gaviota,” “Gro-rite,” “Vi- 
goro,” etc., are recommended in cooler months. These 
fertilizers may be applied dry and watered into the 
soil. When the days become longer and hot days ap- 
proach, a mulching of cow manure will largely assist 
in retaining the moisture within the soil. The feeding 
roots of carnations are very close to the surface and 
should not be cultivated very near the plant, and 
weeds appearing near the plant should be pulled out 
when little rather than hoed out. 
DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS 
Carnations, like other cultivated plants, are sus- 
ceptible to fungus diseases and insect pests but for- 
tunately, these are all easily controllable. Fungus dis- 
ease or disease caused by other organisms such as 
blight, spot, rust and wilt can be controlled and pre- 
vented with the use of bordeaux mixture. A soap 
spreader is used with this mixture to insure complete 
coverage of the foliage. 
Our worst insect pests are aphids, thrips, and red 
spiders. The former two are easily controlled with 
either nicotine, rotonone, or phyrethum sprays, but 
the latter is little more difficult to destroy. Up to 
date, ‘‘Loro” with soap spreader or “Hi-tox” are 
the best known sprays to destroy the red spiders af- 
ter infestations. Overhead watering or occasional 
bathing of plants with strong pressure hose in clear 
warm days will help removing the spiders and aphids 
when plants are young. 
