Page 9 - AWA Vol.37 No.4

CROP PROTECTION

wires interwoven between the wires other buds are displaying some corolla
in the form of a net. For an optimum (petal) colour. Blooms are picked daily
support an increasing width of mesh to leave the basal (bottom) 5 nodes of
can be used. the stems for future growth through the
development of side shoots.
Depending on the extent of crop
spread required then a single, one and a
half or double-pinch method is adopted
to remove the shoot tips. Irrespective
of the method used early morning is
the Ideal time to carry out pinching.
Carnations are now grown around the • Single pinch method: A first and only
world on an ‘industrial scale’. Those pinch is given when plant growth has
seen here are in Colombia (Picture
attained the 5-node stage to induce the
courtesy Lina Fernanda Loaiza)
formation of six lateral shoots.
system with drippers spaced every 30 • One and half pinch method: Fol-
cm to deliver 5 to 6 litre/m2/24-hour lowing the first pinch as above, 2 to
day. Soluble nutrients can be applied as 3 of the lateral shoots thus arising are
a fertigation treatment through the mi- pinched again.
cro-irrigation system. Carnations require • Double pinch method: Following
the full range of macronutrients (NPK), the first pinch all of the lateral shoots
secondary or meso-nutrients such as are pinched off.
magnesium (Mg) and trace elements
(micronutrients) including boron (B).
Carnations have a reputation for dis- Standard carnations are picked at the
playing a high susceptibility to boron ‘paint-brush stage
(B) deficiency. (Picture Dr Terry Mabbett)
Support, spread (pinching) Circle 7 on enquiry card
and disbudding
Carnation crops need secure sup- ADVERTISERS’
ADVERTISERS’
port without which the plants will INDEX
INDEX
bend during growth to cause bud and
flower damage. Ideal support systems Growing bicolour varieties of carnation Aviagen ..........................................
comprise metal wires interwoven with is one of the ways to maintain ...................Inside Cover (English)
a nylon mesh and secured every 2 me- consumer interest in carnations
tres to strong wooden poles inserted (Picture Dr Terry Mabbett) Agrana ..........................................5
in the ground. Those at each end of BIG Dutchman ...........................16
bed should be especially strong and Disbudding – for the production of
rigid. The metal wire is secured right standard carnations side buds are re- European Organic Juices .............
around and along the length with nylon .....................Inside Cover (Arabic)
moved, whereas the terminal bud is
removed in the production of spray New Holland ................................3
carnations. Saudi Agriculture 2021 .............29
Flower formation to
ADVERTISE IN
harvest ADVER TISE IN
WORLD
Flower formation starts 120 days af- THE ARAB WORLD
THE ARAB
ter of planting and will continue at a
AGRIBUSINESS
commercial rate for up to 18 months. AGRIBUSINESS
Standard carnation blooms are picked
MAGAZINE AND
when the outer petals unfold nearly MAGAZINE AND
perpendicular to the stem which is the
PROMOTE YOUR
Spray carnations coming into full bud PROMOTE YOUR
so-called ‘paint brush’ stage. Spray-type
(Picture courtesy Lina Fernanda
PRODUCTS
carnation blooms are harvested when PRODUCTS
Loaiza)
two flowers in the spray are open and the
Vol. 37 No. 4 7