CARNATIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 280, 26 November 1932, Page 19 (Supplement)

CARNATIONS

GENERAL FAVOURITES. Carnations are everybody’s favour ites. ThejxJ arc no dwarf hardy plants deserving of more general cultivation, there is a charming diversity and brilliance of colouring in the flowers, and many of the varieties are deliciously perfumed. They are specially prized tor buttonholes and other purposes lui which cut flowers are used. The named border varieties, as they are termed, arc propagated from layers put down after the plants have done flowering. The old plants are better if renewed every second year, and for this purpose the layers are utilised. There are three distinct classes, namely, Bizarres, Flakes and Selfs Eizarrcs have a clear ground variously marked and flaked with crimsun, scar let, pink and purple characterised by the predominating colours. Flakes have a pure ground flaked with one main colour of which there arc scarlet, purple and rose shades. Selfs should be one-coloured in any shade. The dif fcrent varieties belonging to these classes are chiefly propagated from layers. Seeds are utilised to raise new varieties. Perpetual Carnations. Tree, or perpetual carnations easily propagated from cuttings which may be struck by inserting them in the upen ground or in plant trays. Beedi ings from selected seeds give a very good percentage of doubles and arc most satisfactory. These perpetuals are most popular for beds and borders, ami especially so for pot culture. Thenbright coloured flowers arc produced upon long stems, and at various seasons, and are greatly prized by ah florists. In Britain and America tho individual flowers command high prices. Large areas of glass are utilised for their culture. Annual Varieties. The Marguerite and other annual varieties of carnations raised from improved and reliable strains, succeed and flower su well aud so continuously throughout tho summer and well into the winter, and are so easily grown, that no garden need be without a few of these universal favourites for gar den decoration and for cutting. For table decoration tho flowers are especially useful ou account of their sweet scent. From selected seeds ovei 80 per cent, will come double. The improved Marguerites, the pink varie ties, are very lovely. The large fringed flowers resemble some of the best American tree varieties. Good, strong, healthy, box-grown seedlings, bedded out in early spring come into flowering early and last into the winter. Hints for Cultivation. The soil for carnations requires to be well drained. A somewhat Heavy loam is the most suitable. Avoid using fresh manure as it encourages the small, white insect and wireworms. Lime should be freely used both in the soil and frequently scattered over the foliage to keep them free from rust. Carnations and pieotees favoured by the dry winter and good spring weather are in splendid growth, :i; 4 1 are throwing up their flower stems which should be kept tied up to stakes or other supports.