PINKS and border carnations need a sunny, well-drained position. They like a neutral soil, but will tolerate most soils other than very acidic conditions.

By Jim Rae

PINKS and border carnations need a sunny, well-drained position. They like a neutral soil, but will tolerate most soils other than very acidic conditions.

If strong acid conditions prevail, then a dressing of limestone chippings should be incorporated before planting - a ph reading of 6 to 6.65 is what to aim for.

In the autumn, prepare the border by forking in some well-rotted manure, riddled garden compost, used mushroom compost, or any similar material which will increase the humus content of the soil.

Prepare the area by firming the soil and raking it level prior to planting.

Never plant out dry plants. Keep a bucket of water by your side and immerse the young plants into the water until no bubbles can be seen rising from the root ball.

Then plant out between 37cm-45cm apart, and only to the depth of the root ball. Firm into place well, ensuring that the lower leaves are just clear of the soil.

Stake the young plants with a short bamboo cane.

In spring, hoe in a top dressing of fertiliser; a good-quality slow-release fertiliser such as Osmocote will do.

Support the flowering systems as they grow by using thin bamboo canes. Remember to keep them lower than the finishing height of the bloom.

First-year plants should be disbudded lightly, second-year plants moderately (leaving three buds per stem) and third-year plants severely (leaving only the crown bud).

Cuttings are the most common method of increasing or replacing stock, though they can also be produced from layering. This is generally carried out towards the end of May and throughout June.

Remove a non-flowering shoot roughly four to six pairs of leaves in length, cutting it off immediately below the node (joint).

Cut off the lowest pair of leaves from the cutting and dip the end into hormone rooting power and place in a small tray, 25mm apart, or three cuttings placed around the outer edge of a 7.5cm pot, ensuring that the remaining leaves are kept above the compost level. Water in.

Place in a propagator with bottom heat for better results (average temp. of 60-70F). Spray occasionally to keep the cuttings turgid. These should root within 14-21 days.

The compost used should be a 50/50 mix of sharp sand and sphagnum peat and/or perlite.

Once rooted, pot up into 7.5cm pots into John Innes potting compost No.1 or the soil-less equivalent.

Plant out into position once well-rooted.

Pinks and border carnations can suffer from attacks by such pests as aphids, thrips, thorax moth and red spider mite.

Use appropriate chemical or biological treatments for each, remembering to follow the manufacturers' guidelines.