Performance of Sim Carnations Under Sub-Tropical Climatic Conditions of Punjab

Growing of Sim carnations under sub-tropical conditions of India has started very recently on a limited scale. Performance of ten cvs. viz. Arthur Sim, William Sim, White Sim, Scania, Laddie, Can Can, Shocking Pink, Tangerine, Harvest Moon and Clear Yellow has been studied for the last five years in sub-tropical environments of Punjab. Studies have shown that rooted cuttings of carnation cvs. could be established round the year but the production of quality blooms was obtained from the planting done from September to November. Irrespective of time of planting maximum flower production was achieved during the months of March and April only. Time taken for flower production varied from 120 to 180 days. Extent of calyx splitting varied with the time of flowering from December to April. It was observed in all the cvs. tried.

The studies conducted revealed vividily that Sim carnations can be successfully grown as a single crop and is not possible to extend upto second year. Long stemmed standard bloom of saleable quality can be timed between December to April by regulating time of planting from April to September by providing suitable protective cover over the beds during summer months. Yield of cut blooms varied from 180 to 720 depending upon time of planting when planted at a density of 36 plants/sq. m. However, the yield of high quality saleable flowers was obtained 328/sq. m. from the plants established in the beds in the month of September. Different cvs. did not exhibit much variation of flower yield.

Carnation plantations flowered normally upto April and plants grew till July. These plantations could not be carried through July to September when most of them died due to attack of Fusarium dianthii and Altemaria alternata under high temperature and high humid atmospheric conditions. Cultivars differed in tolerance to decline in summer and rainy seasons. The cvs. like Arthur Sim, Can Can and Clear Yellow exhibited high tolerance.