BEAUTIFUL CARNATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1938, Page 5

BEAUTIFUL CARNATIONS

WORK OF FERTILISATION. The beautiful range of colours that ; may be obtained from a single pod of seed from the perpetual flowering ■ carnations is a great encouragement to the amateur gardener to raise his own

seedlings. The perpetual flowering carnation, unlike many other florists’ flowers, is today in its infancy, hence the field is wide for all to assist, as production is simple and easy. The present time is the best to commence the work of fertilisation. This is the fusion of the male and female organs, which are easily observed in the flower of a well-developed carnation.: The female organs or pistils are two or more horn-like bodies protruding from the centre of the flower. They are finished with stigma at the apex and are attached to the ovary or seed vessel, which is at the base of the flower. The stamens, or male organs, are more minute, and are found generally amongst the petals of the bloom. Their tips are furnished with the anthers' containing the pollen.

The best instrument for conveying the pollen to the stigma is a small piece of blotting paper torn from a corner, so that it forms a miniature brush. Take the pollen, which must be in a perfectly dry condition, from the anthers and carefully place it on the stigmas. Do not use any pressure upon stigmas for this will result in their becoming bruised and spoilt. It is easy to place too much pollen upon them, causing them to decay; a few grains are sufficient for the purpose. The best results are obtained if the operation is. carried out between 12 and 3 o’clock upon a bright and sunny day. The hair-like growths upon the stigma — which, if they are in the correct condition, are then covered with small dewdrops—will readily absorb the pollen placed upon them.

As soon as the pollen germinates the ovary commences to swell and the petals of the flower turn inward. This incurving of the petals is an indication that the operation has been successful. It is then necessary to tear down the calyx, to allow the moisture to escape from the base of the ovary. Remove the petals of the bloom as they decay, and after the ovary has fully swollen

take away the decayed calyx to allow the sun and air to have full action upon the seed pod and assist the ripening of the seed. This requires a period of from two to three months. It is ready to take off the plant with six inches of stem when it is seen that the pod is turning brown at the top. The principle of labelling each cross as it is done is important. You then know the parents of the resultant seedlings and this is a guide for future work. Thoroughly dry and store the seed in a dry, cool place; a paper bag is a good receptacle to keep the seeds in. Although the seeds can be kept for quite a while the sooner the seeds are sown after saving the better the results. The rich black, plump seeds are the only ones any good. As a rule there are only a few seeds that are any good in each pod.