Effect of Spacing and Pinching on Growth and Flower Production of Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus Cv. Marguerite Scarlet

A combined trial with various spacing and pinching treatments were conducted for three years i.e. 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81 in Marguerite carnation. The spacings followed were 15 × 15, 20 × 20, 25 × 25 and 30 × 30 cm, and plants were pinched once, twice or thrice alongwith one control (no pinching). Closer specing (i.e. 15 × 15 cm) produced taller plants and flower production was higher per unit area than wider spacing. Pinching the plants thrice reduced the plant height. Flowering was delayed with increasing number of pinching. The flower yield in pinched plants was more, in general, and in few treatments this almost doubled as compared to control.