Carnation


> Subject: 	Carnation
> 
> Any advice on rooting cuttings from a carnation plant?  
> Potting medium- soil, sand, or vermiculie?
> Cuttings taken from new growth along stem?  How to cut and where?
> Rooting stimulants ?
> Much thanks  Brent
> 
> 
> Propagation 
> 
> Cuttings can be purchased from specialty propagators who produce cultureand virus-indexed cuttings. Some growers purchase clean cuttings and produce their own stock in a mother block program. The mother block is kept isolated from production and is used only for cutting production. However, for most producers it is not economically advantageous to maintain stock plants.
> 
> Typically, cuttings are harvested with four to five nodes, 4 to 6 inches in length, with a mass of 0.35 ounces. Cuttings are broken, not cut, to prevent pathogen transfer. Cuttings are stored in polyethylene I i ned boxes, but the polyethylene is not sealed. Cuttings are stored dry as cuttings stored wet are more susceptible to pathogens.
> 
> Cuttings can be stored for several weeks at 32'F. Increasing the storage temperature reduces the time the cuttings can be stored; however, storing cuttings at temperatures above 32'F improves root initiation (van de Pol and Vogelzang, 1983).
> 
> Media and benches should be steam- pasteu r ized so that they are free of pathogens. Attention to sanitation is essential to successful propagation of carnation cuttings. Rooting of carnations occurs within 2 to 4 weeks depending on the cultivar and medium temperature. At a 60'F medium temperature, cuttings root in about 3 weeks. Increasing the medium temperature to 70oF decreases rooting time
> to 2 weeks. Rooting hormones, such as napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), enhance rooting. It is advisable to use powder, rather than liquid rooting hormones, to reduce the chances for the spread of pathogens. Full light and mist are recommended for optimal and rapid rooting.
> 
> B. Planting and Media
> 
> Planting dates depend on market demand. Plantings are typically made between April and September in the Northern hemisphere and from September to April in the Southern hemisphere. It is common for standard carnations to be grown for 2 years, with half of the production area planted each year. Spray carnations are usually replanted each year with plantings staggered every 3 to 4 months to even out production. With ground beds or in field culture, a 1 -year cropping schedule is recommended to reduce pathogen potential during the second year. Raised beds are preferred over ground beds for improved pathogen and insect control, labor usage, aeration, and nutritional concerns.
> 
> Excellent drainage and aeration are prerequisites for producing high quality carnations. Benches or beds should be well drained to prevent the buildup of excess water and soluble salts. Sphagnum peat can be added to improve the porosity of the medium. Over time, however, peat decomposes and can actually reduce porosity. For maximum porosity, coarse inert media such as calcareous gravel, coarse sand, perlite, fired clay aggregates, or volcanic scoria can be used successfully, but irrigation frequency is higher and uniformity of watering must be maintained. Ideally, the pH of the medium should be maintained between 6.0 and 6.8.
> 
> Fumigation with methyl bromide/chloropicrin or steam pasteurization is necessary prior to planting to eliminate pathogens, nematodes, and weed seeds. However, because carnations are susceptible to bromide toxicity, methyl bromide should only be used on sandy soils with adequate aeration and leaching prior to planting. Aerated steam is preferred over steaming at higher temperatures as energy costs are reduced and more beneficial organisms survive this treatment.
> 
> Cuttings should be planted at the same level as they were in propagation. Cuttings that are planted shallow establish faster due to increased aeration and are less susceptible to stem rot caused by Rhizodonia. If 25% of the cuttings fall over after the initial watering, they have been planted at the proper depth. A fungicidal drenc> h should be made at planting time to reduce fungal infection. Cuttings should be misted or syringed for the first few days following planting to maintain turgor.> 
> 
> Per INtroduction to Floriculture - Whealy
> 

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