CARNATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 July 1939, Page 3

CARNATIONS

DON'T CODDLE THEM. Perpetual flowering carnations, if they have been well grown, should during the next few months furnish a lot of first-class blooms. These plants resent coddling, and a little ventilation should be kept on night and day. During rough, wet or frosty weather it should be reduced to a minimum, but if taken entirely off the result will be that the blooms will damp. A temperaof from 45 to 50 degrees should be maintained. In cold districts this may mean that artificial heat would be necessary. Keep a sharp look-out

for aphis and vaporise promptly if seen.

Of the many good qualities which the perpetual-flowering carnation possesses. durability of the cut flowers is no small importance; yet many fail to secure this all-important feature and deplore the shortness of life- and lack of size and finish in their blooms. Sleepiness, or wilting, may be traced to several causes, the most prevalent being over-developing, heavy feeding or unwise use of chemical fertilisers, improper treatment and rough hand ■ ling. The recipes often given for the pi;eservation of cut flowers, such as addi - lions of salt, sugar, camphor and other ingredients to the water, are not able to add five minutes to the life of fullydeveloped carnations blooms. Every flower whether on the plant or cut off and placed in a vase, needs a certain time for its full development. The perpetual carnation will continue in good condition for days and weeks provided the correct system is carried out in the cutting and finishing of the bloom. Apart from the nature of the different species of flowers, there are important factors which come into play in prolonging their life and obtaining the full amount of satisfaction from the labour expended upon them. Over development of a carnation can be easily guarded against by cutting the bloom when the guard-petals are fully expanded and the centre of the flower has unfolded into position.

The cutting should be done in the early morning before the sun has reached the flowers and while the petals are firm from the night air. The length of stem is also of importance, and the advantage of long stems is available with the perpetual carnation. The longer the stem the more nourishment the flower can draw from the

water, but it is essential that the stem should be cut between the joints with a sharp knife and not broken off at a joint. Another most important condition necessary for the preservation of the cut bloom, and one which will add to its size and finish, is to have a good, cool, dark situation, which must combine dryness of atmosphere at this season of the year with scrupulous cleanliness and airiness. It should also possess a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees. As the flowers are cut they must be taken directly to the darkened place prepared for them and be put in large earthenware vases which will allow the stems to stand two-thirds their length in water. These vases are the best articles for holding the flowers, being of a cool, absorbent character. Set the flowers in a position so that each bloom has sufficient room to-de-velop its petals fully, and keep them upright, so that they can readily absorb the water taken up the stems. How long the flowers should remain in water in the dark is governed by the season of the year. During the , winter months 24 to 36 hours is sufficient; but flowers intended for show purposes may be kept longer should they need further development before packing for travelling. Too often many growers’ and amateurs’ flowers are cut and taken direct from, the plants into the rooms in ■which they are to do service, without being correctly prepared for the ordeal; hence they lack size, finish and lasting quality. If the conditions mentioned are carried out it will be found that better blooms of higher keeping qualities are obtained; also, the size and colour of each individual bloom will be greatly improved, and the reputation of the lasting cpialities of perpetual carnations will be endorsed by all growers.