CARNATIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 28

CARNATIONS

THE BORDER QUEEN The popularity enjoyed by the carnation dates hack many centuries, and the fact that it was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans proves It to be a very old plant. Pliny places its earliest naDitat in Spain, where he states it was found in the days of Augustus Caesar, It is difficult to say when the plant first appeared in Britain. We are given to understand that the original flower was flesh-coloured, and according to Gerarde, yellow varieties were not Introduced until 15S0. There are scores of excellent and absorbing legends woven round the history of this popular garden favourite, which has endeared itself to horticulturists the world over. Its attractive form, diversity of colouring and delicious perfume, are obviously the explanation of its far-flung popularity. Development During modern years there has been phenomenal development among carnations, and on the show benches as well as displayed in the plantsmen’s windows we observe the painstaking results achieved by the hybridisers. Various classes or types have been developed, each with its own distinctive peculiarities, and a wonderful array of exquisite tintings. Carnations are ideal garden tenants, and attractive subjects for beds and borders. Al though oft-times raised from seed, the flowers seldom possess any marked quality, but make useful garden material. The Marguerite types are particularly useful in this direction. The best method of propagating good named varieties is to “tongue” the young shoots during the summer This operation simply consists of making a longitudinal slit, about an inch in length along the stem with a sharp knife, and gently drawing it open and slipping in a small pebble to keep the surfaces apart. Root 3 will speedily form, and the shoot, now a separate plant, may he severed from the parent. Cultivation May and June are the best months to plant out carnations for early flowering. There is now a wonderful selection of named varieties for the amateur to choose from aud no time should be lost in commencing work. Although it may be said that carnations adapt themselves to quite a variety of soils, we are of the opinion that a sweet, easily worked, sandv loam will prove the most satisfactory for their most successful culture. The plants revel in a roomy, open situation, with maximum sunlight and air, and positively rebels at coddling and cramping. Where practicable give them a bed entirely to themselves. The bed decided upon should be thoroughly drained, aud enriched with some well decomposed dairy manure worked into the soil at least twelve inches. Rank manures are to he avoided, and overcrowding is the forerunner of disease. As an after application to manuring, lime is highly beenficijl, as it assists in keeping the soil sweet and liberates valuable plant foods simultaneously

When tying plants up to a stake tie the binding cord firmly to the stake first, then to the plant, and you will not have trouble with the cord slipping