Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

leaf mould and soil and watered. They germinate within 7-10 days. Seedlings are ready
for transplanting within 40 days. Seeding propagation method is not used normally for
routine cultivation. The temperature of the rooting medium must be kept at a constant 20-
24 0 Celsius. Germination can take 8-25 days in case of Chrysanthemum.
Rooted suckers are planted in field during January for developing stock plants. To
reduce profuse branching, regular pinching is necessary. Some of those stock plants are
used as potted plants for flower show and other display. The first pinching is performed
in April, second in May and third in June. After third pinching, cuttings are taken from
these mother plants. Otherwise, pinching is continued in other lot of stock plants.
Plants are also propagated by rooting terminal cuttings. These vegetative cuttings are
removed from stock plants maintained under long day conditions to inhibit flower bud
formation. The terminal cuttings which are 8-10 cm long are removed from stock plants
and placed directly into the rooting medium. To enhance development of roots, basal
ends of the cuttings are dipped in a talc powder containing 0.1-0.2% IBA. The
greenhouse temperature should be between 15-18 0 Celsius and rooting medium
temperature between 18 and 21 0 Celsius. 500-600 cuttings are planted per square meter of
medium, depending on size of the lower leaf of the cultivar. Fine misting is done
intermittently on the cuttings during day time until rooting is accomplished. The mist is
usually turned off for a day or two before cuttings are removed for hardening. Cuttings
are well rooted in 10-20 days depending on cultivation and season. Cuttings with root
length of 1.5-2.0 cm are desirable since longer roots makes planting difficult.
Any porous mixture that is non toxic can be used as a rooting medium. Perlite plus
sphagnum peat moss is perhaps the most common medium. Vermiculite, sand and a
sandy soil mixture have also been used as rooting media. Total salts below 15
milliequivalents per liter for mist system does not affect rooting. However magnesium
should not exceed 70 per cent of total salts. High percentage of sodium i.e., more than
67% of total salts will cause “red root”. Calcium is necessary for good rooting.
Application of gypsum or ground lime stone @ 20-30 kg/100 square meters area can be
broadcasted over the surface of the medium prior to the planting of the cuttings.
Mass Scale Production of Carnation
Carnation is multiplied vegetatively by stem cuttings. Seed propagation is normally
practiced for raising border carnations as well as for the purpose of hybridization.
Specialist propagators use micro propagation for producing diseases free plants.
Seed are sown about 0.25 cm deep in a well drained mix. Make sure the compost is
moist but not wet. Mist spray occasionally and keep it moist. The seeds will germinate in
2 to 3 weeks. The seedlings are transplanted in pots or in the ground when large enough
to handle. The plants begin to bloom in 6 months or a year.
Layering is the easiest way to propagate carnation and the plants will do these
themselves once mature. Observing a mature clump of carnations, seek out sturdy stems
pointing away from the centre of the clump. These stems are often rooted. If not, rooting
can be promoted by bending them down to touch the soil. These stems must be pinned to
the soil till they root. Any flowers growing on the particular stem must be cut off. The
new plant is cut from the mother plant when the roots are 4 to 5 inches long. The new
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