PERPETUAL CARNATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20952, 15 February 1930, Page 7

PERPETUAL CARNATIONS.

POTTING AND CUTTINGS. Immediately cuttings of perpetualno wenng carnations that have been struck ’ in sand are rooted, they must be potted or they will become weak through lack of nourishment Two-inch pots are the best size for the email plants, and these must be well washed, or, if new soaked in water until they have absorbed all the moisture they can hold, before being used. - The compost for potting should be made up in advance, and consist of two-thirds good loam, which baa been cut and stacked tor a few months, one-sixth sharp sand, and one-sixth equal parts wood ashes and crushed‘mortar rubble. The whole must be well mixed together, and taken Into the greenhouse a few days before it is required, in order that, it may be the same temperature as the plants to be potted. It is also advisable that the potting be,done in the greenhouse. This will avoid any check from cold that might occur in carrying the plants to the potting shed; When the soil is required for use it should be in a fairly moist condition, but must not be too wet. The _ cuttings must be taken from the sand in which they were rooted with great care, so that the small roots are not damaged. A glazies’s putty knife will be found a useful instrument for lifting them. After they are out of the sand, no time must be lost in getting them into the pots, as the roots are very sensitive, and exposure to the atmosphere may do harm As the rooted cuttings are inserted into the pots, it is important to see that they are not put in any deeper than they we F|, on S l h £ il^!y in thp sand where rooted, i-i, P°^ ln K> it is a good plan to put 0 p a r Dts |? ac k i n the propagating a f lv, w da T 3 Dew roots take hold of the soil. Then they must be the greenhouse 1^1?+ 6 able to obtain a good light and an abundance of air. They should.be-close to the glass to avoid a spindly growth. At thfs stage a night 50 . de 2 rees must be maintained.—F.B. m Amateur Gardening.