© 
Jupiter cropped September 18 to November 10, while a June 1 planting of the same variety cropped 
October 25 to December 5. 
Specific information on subsequent flowering is still lacking, but the comeback with this method of grow- 
ing has been more rapid than with other methods. On a number of varieties, the second-crop shoots 
have attained considerable length before the first crop is cut. This comeback rate is significant in 
achieving a good total production yield. One of the country’s outstanding carnation research men has 
this to say about production with the direct-benching single-pinch method: “We do not think we are 
sacrificing production and are certain that the production obtained can be timed for best market periods 
more accurately.” 
ADAPTING THE METHOD 
Several possibilities for adapting the method to commercial production already are apparent. In those 
ranges where culture is always under glass, no adaptation problem exists. The rooted cuttings can be 
benched as late or later than young plants that have been propagated much earlier and held in pots, 
bands, flats or transplanting bench. Experience has shown that the rooted cuttings, unchecked by extra 
transplanting, hardening, crowding, etc., move off faster and catch up with plants propagated as much 
as three months earlier. A major advantage enjoyed by the direct-benched cuttings is that they break 
much more freely from a single pinch. The additional pinching practiced with other methods of indoor 
culture is eliminated, thus by-passing unnecessary delay in the development of flowering shoots. 
In those ranges where outdoor culture is practiced, adoption of the new method means throwing out 
the old crop from some benches after Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, etc. Since the demand for some 
colors (red notably) decreases sharply in warm weather, and also since some good winter flowering 
varieties have decidedly inferior flowers during hot weather anyway, it should not be a handicap to 
throw out some benches and replant with rooted cuttings in May and June. Advantages gained would 
include among other things reducing the amount of field planting, cultivating, lifting and benching of 
heavy field plants, all of which are laborious and costly procedures. 
The method is likely to fit into two-year culture, with the possibility of replanting half the carnation 
space each year with rooted cuttings, and continuing the other half in late spring and summer produc- 
tion. Since absolute disease control is an essential of two-year culture, the method is particularly well 
suited, since there is less likelihod of contamination when benching cuttings direct. 
The grower of miscellaneous crops, wholesale and retail, usually can rotate carnations with other crops 
and thus have benches free by mid-May or early June where carnation cuttings could be benched direct 
and still be able to cut carnations from the old crop in other benches. If carnations are a minor crop, 
it undoubtedly would be advantageous to eliminate all the chores and worries of propagation and care 
of young plants and procure strong, clean rooted cuttings from a propagation specialist on a specified 
Photos from Weiland Bros. Greenhouses, Aptakisic, Ill. Yoder varieties, rooted cuttings benched June 14, 
pinched July 14, photographed October 21. Growing in raised ground bed. Spacing 8 x 8. 
Deo oKherk 
==> 
SSS 
es 
Se 
> 
= 
— 
SaaS 
SSS ea 
en eee ee 
