Effect of Storage Duration on Rooting of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) Cuttings

Studies on the effect of storage on rooting of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cuttings were carried out during 2011-12 on four commercial carnation cultivars viz. ‘White Wedding’, ‘Farida’, ‘Niva’ and ‘Madras’. A basal dose of 20-5-5 g/m2 of NPK was applied before planting and the plants were fertigated with 200 ppm N + 280 ppm K twice a week. Results revealed that cuttings stored for 7 days resulted in minimum percentage of weight loss (3.48 %) and maximum cost benefit ratio (1:3.55). However, carnation cuttings stored for 7 days and 14 days resulted in 100 per cent rooting. The studies also indicated that carnation cuttings may be stored up to 35 days at 2°C without significant change in quality and quantity of cuttings.