BORDER CARNATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22546, 13 April 1935, Page 22

BORDER CARNATIONS

The border carnation, as the name implies, is a true hardy border plant, but for very many years hobbyists of tins fascinating flower have taken advantage of the fact that it does equally as well trrown in pots placed in the cold greenhouse. By this means exhibition enthusiasts are able to overcome the difficulties of a variable climate and also to keep their plants free from the ravages of pests, owing to the easiness with which they mav be handled and sprayed. Clean plants can throw fine blooms', and the protection of a glass roof, especially in town gardens, will keep these in tip-top condition, free from dirt, and ready tor the show bench. It must be remembered that, under this method of culture, the growth is not so dense, and, therefore, the blooms are not so numerous as upon plants grown in the garden. The limitation of the root run in pots necessitates having a compost which is more substantial than the soil in the garden. Also it must be borne in mind that the border carnation is a plant which requires all the air and free ventilation it is possible to give, therefore the carnation house should not contain other plants which need a close, moisture-laden atmosphere. Readers who have not their own rooted layers for potting may purchase named varieties from a good reliable .source at anv time from now onward to the middle of May. Upon arrival of the young plants, pot up very firmly in three to five-inch pots, according to the amount of root made. Give comfdrtable room, but do not use the larger pots for layers with a very small amount of root. The compost should consist of three-parts rather coarse loam and one part of well-decayed strawy stable manure, to which add a liberal quantity of old mortar rubble, sharp sand, and some finely-broken charcoal. \v ater, and keep fairly close for about a week, shading from too bright sun, then ventilate gradually at first, increasing after a few days until fresh air circulates freely. Water as and when required. Be very careful not; to wet the foliage until October on ac-