| Ace buds are removed thus leaving single bud to a 
stem. 
Very wet or very dry soil conditions are both 
detrimental to support a vigorous, healthy growth 
of carnations. Although in winter, they will stand 
being 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-bloucing flower, feed- 
_ ing should be made almost the year around after 
the final topping in July. Nitrogen content stimu- 
_ lates 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. 
FEEDING AND WATERING 
_ Carnations, like other cultivated plants, are sus- 
_ ceptible to fungus diseases and insect pests but for- 
| tunately, these are all easily controllable. Fungus 
| disease 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 com- 
_ plete coverage of the foliage. 
DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS 
1 
_ 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 
Mbathing, of plants with strong pressure hose in clear 
warm days will help in removing the spiders and 
_ aphids when plants are young. 
9 
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