Effect of planting dates and pinching methods on growth and flower production in different cultivars of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Rooted cuttings of eleven carnation cultivars were planted at the experimental farm of RHFRS, Bhota, Hamirpur (HP) with two pinching methods. Maximum plant height and stem length was recorded in cv. Impala when planted in the month of December employing single pinching while minimum plant height in cv. Dark Tempo and minimum stem length in cv. Madras in the January planted crop practicing pinch and a half method. January planted carnation cv. Madras produced earliest flowers with single pinch where as carnation cv. Impala took maximum time for flower production. Maximum flowering stems/plant were recorded in cv. Lavender Lace and minimum yield was found in cv. Salmanca. Maximum flower size was recorded in cv. Madras with single pinch method when planted in December and minimum flower size in cv. Rubesco in January planted crop employing pinch and a half method. Maximum flowering duration was found in cv. Dark Tempo with pinch and a half method planted in December and minimum in cv. Raggio-de-Sole planted in December with single pinch method.