This is an article from the old magazine Husmodern (The House Mother), that I found recently and made me aware of the fact that already in 1923, they were interested in gardening in a more advanced way than I actually thought before that.
Not that I didn’t believe that they did gardening at that period, but to write articles about the subject was new to me.
I guess some things never change or change very little. Has the evolution in some fields really come forward at all or are we just presuming that it has? *lol*
I’ve tried to translate the article:
“The foresighted flower friend
sets the carnations sprouts in July to get flowers at Christmas
In older days it was very common to have carnations in a pot in the homes. Then a time period came when they was searching for more easy cultivated flowers to the window garden and the carnation pot disappeared.
Though recently has the interest for more complicated, more advanced pot flower cultivation become more and more popular, so even the pot carnation has had a renaissance. And if all goes well, maybe we’ll have flowers at christmas.
The most safe way to try to cultivate room carnations is to take the sprout cuttings during July, of strong, beautiful plants and put these in sand. On big carnations plant schools (we have a couple of very big ones in Sweden) they also put carnations in sand – you can get to see one after another of greenhouses spread themselves as small deserts of Sahara, sand and sand and sprout cuttings of carnations.
In and for propagating, side sprouts is cutted from the mother plants lower part. They should be cut at the fourth or fifth leaf joint. One can put these cuttings in a box or small pots filled with sand. If you have a forcing bed, it’s the best alternative to put them down in there.
The cuttings shall during 4 weeks be kept at the same moist level, not too dry or too wet. After about 4 weeks they are rooted. Then it’s time to plant them in a pot with sand mixed strong mud soil. Now you of course want to spread out like a bush, which is why you must cut off the top, so it’s forced to grow side sprouts.
When the fall comes it’s time to plant it in a bigger, 7 cm wide pot together with compost and manure. Put the carnations cool and light in the beginning, but towards the winter more warm among other flowers and the soil must never get dried out.
During the setting of the blooming they need light, warmth and a be kept at the same moist level with addition of fertilizers during the blooming. A support for the tie up is needed too”.
So why not keep this in mind and try it out later?
Hi
Thanks for dropping by. Carnation tips will come in handy.
Lifecruiser: Well, why not tae advantage of them long into the winter too…. and it’s an old one too
I’ve never thought about growing my own carnations. Interesting article!
Lifecruiser: Yes, isn’t it? I’ve never seen anyone doing it like this either, not even when I was a child, so it’s obviously something we’ve forgotten – but maybe it’s time to take it up again?
Why the surprise? Gardening is the world’s oldest profession, isn’t it? Right! And, really what has changed in how we grow plants? Interesting questions…
Lifecruiser: Yes, isn’t it? (The surprise is not the gardening, but the article about it
Oh, the fascinating world of plants! I need every tip I can get specially when I am about to leave! don’t forget me. Pleeeeease!
Lifecruiser: And how are we going to forget YOU my dear friend? You keep reminding us all the time *lol*
Cool! I did not know that about carnations.
mine is up
Lifecruiser: Neither did I! I’ll pop over
Interesting post. It tells history and habits goes in waves and circles.
The challenge with carnations today I believe, is modern houses, where the temperature is almost the same all over. But, of course, if ypu have a greenhouse or an old house, it might be peace of cake.
Lifecruiser: Yes, doesn’t it? Or some other place where it’s more cool, like in the basement
I don’t really think the articles can apply over here at the Equator?
But it sounds like a load of hard work!
Lifecruiser: No, you lucky ones
Gardening is so relaxing and a wonderful way to spend time outdoors. It is one of my favorite hobbies that I love to share with others online! Thanks for taking the time to write this post, I always learn so much about gardening from many different sources online!