“My first sowing was early in February, 1892. The plants came into bloom
the middle of June, and I had more or less flowers from them all through
the following winter and spring. In 1893 I made two sowings, one the
beginning of February, and another the end of March, to secure plants for
winter flowering. About eighty of these in six-inch pots were plunged out
of doors until the middle of November; then removed indoors and placed in
light airy position. They have been flowering profusely ever since, and
will continue doing so to the end of May.” These statements are made by
John Milne in the _Journal of Horticulture_. Another writer in the same
publication says:
“Those who have not yet grown these carnations have missed much. I sowed
some seeds at the end of February last year in a mild heat, and the
seedlings were potted when large enough, the bulk of them eventually
finding their way into pots five and a half inches in diameter. Some few
were grown in pots an inch less, but I noted those in the larger pots
were much better every way. Small pots do not afford sufficient scope
for the roots, as these are freely made, and being very fibrous they
absorb a quantity of moisture. A moderately rich compost is essential,
the plants requiring a fair amount of stimulative food to enable them to
continue longer in flower than they do when in a starved condition. To
test these carnations I planted some in the kitchen garden, but I found
that those in pots flowered much the best. About ninety per cent. of
these carnations come double from seed, which is a great gain, as single
flowers are really of little use for decorative purposes. What I admire
about them is the large number of self-colored flowers that are produced.
The bulk of them are deliciously scented, and all fringed at the edges
of the petals. When the weather permitted the plants were assigned a
position out of doors where they could obtain all available sunlight,
were given plenty of space, and well supplied with water at the roots.
Directly the pots in which they were to flower were full of roots, weak
liquid manure was supplied to them freely. By the early part of July
they commenced to flower, and kept on unceasingly until the early part
of November out of doors. Where buttonhole bouquets are in demand these
Marguerite carnations afford excellent material for the making of this
favorite adornment, and as the carnation is a popular flower for the
purpose this new race is doubly valuable.”
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