CARNATION TROUBLES.

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3468, 19 May 1934, Page 3

CARNATION TROUBLES.

WINTER PRECAUTIONS. A very common reason why border carnations don’t winter well is the flushing of the stem with soil through the action of rain. Some day we shall discover how it is that when carnation roots are more than just buried, the. plant concerned looks as though, it would rather die than live. Meanwhile, act on our knowledge by

clearing away from the stems regularly all rain-washed soil. Rooting - so near the surface, carnations are specially susceptible to the lifting action of frost. You don’t notice this until the thaw, when some plants may be almost out of the ground. Go round the beds, therefore, after every frost, and press each plant back to its normal position.

Though as a rule wireworms are inactive in winter they brighten up during mild periods especially if there are carnations about. Should a plant here and there look sleepy and inclined to droop you can be pretty sure that a general wireworm attack is pending. Once this greedy yellow grub gets inside the roots, the difficulties of control are increased manifold. So clear cut the pest at once, by raking in 2 or 3in. deep, an equal part mixture of powdered naphthalene and freshly-slaked lime (2oz per square yard). Rust disease may disfigure the leaves with rusty, powdery, circular patches of spores or seeds. You can destroy it by spraying on a calm, dry day with a solution made by mixing ioz. of liver of sulphur with 3 gallons of water.

Frequent stirring of the soil and a light sprinkling of freshly-slaked lime every month until early October will sweeten and strengthen growth.