Key Technical Points for Harvesting and Preserving Carnation Cuttings

[Other Chinese Names] Large-flowered Pink, Clove Pink, Dutch Pink, Dutch Carnation, Carnation, Carnation, Carnation, Musk Carnation

[Family and Genus] Caryophyllaceae, Dianthus

[Place of Origin] Southern Europe

[Plant Characteristics] Carnation is a perennial herbaceous plant. Plant height 30-70 cm. Stems clustered, woody at the base, nodes prominent, covered with white powder. Leaves simple, opposite, linear, apex obtuse, base hard, both surfaces covered with white powder.

[Cutting Harvest] The harvested part is the top shoots of the carnation. In order to obtain ideal propagation results, shoots of appropriate thickness, with shorter internodes and without flower organs should be cut; shoot length should be controlled at 6-7 cm. This operation is best combined with shaping. The product should be pre-cooled immediately.

[Grading] The harvested cuttings should be graded on the premise of having typical characteristics of the variety, being free from pest and disease infestation, and being capable of normal propagation: the top shoot proportion of grade-one cuttings is >=99%; the top shoot proportion of grade-two cuttings is >=97%; the top shoot proportion of grade-three cuttings is >=95%. The top shoot proportion of cuttings of the same grade shall not be lower than 1% of the standard.

[Packaging] Package every 50 carnation shoots of the same grade and variety in a plastic bag, and place them separately into ventilated corrugated cardboard boxes lined with film and marked with the product name.

[Preservation Method] The cuttings can be stored in an environment with a relative humidity above 95% and a temperature of 3-5 degrees C.

[Storage Period] Treated according to the above method, carnation shoots can usually be stored for 2-3 days without affecting propagation use.

[Gardening Application] The carnation has beautiful flowers and a very long flowering period, and is a world-famous ornamental plant. It can serve as both a main flower and a filler flower, and is widely used in flower arrangements.

[Out-of-Nursery Tips] Propagating carnations by cutting is mostly carried out in spring and autumn each year, and introducers should be informed in advance to make preparations. After opening the box, the shoots can be used after slight trimming.