Cheever, David William, authorHolley, W. D., advisorFoskett, Richard L., committee memberBaker, Ralph, committee member2021-08-162021-08-161967-06https://hdl.handle.net/10217/233641Procedures and materials for rooting carnation cuttings (Dianthus caryophyllus) with intermittent mist were evaluated. Five experiments in a series investigated pH and physical properties of media, medium temperature, mist quantity, foliar feeding, spacing of cuttings, and length of time in the medium. Data were taken on root quality, fresh and dry weight gains during propagation and recovery rate after planting. Rooting ability was closely related to medium pH with an optimum near 7.0 but was not affected by water holding capacity or aeration of the medium tested, Cuttings rooted more rapidly in a 7-3 mixture of perlite and sphagnum peat limed to pH 7.0 and consistently showed greater fresh weight gains after planting when compared to horticultural perlite. Recovery rate was not affected by medium temperatures of 60, 70, and 80°F although the lowest temperature delayed rooting by 8 days. Dry weight gain was greatest for cuttings rooted in a medium temperature of 60°. This may have been a function of time or of reduced respiration. Conditioning of cuttings by providing no mist on the final day in the propagation bench reduced wilting for several days after planting but depressed fresh weight gains during the first month. Heavy mist (1 cm/hour) depressed recovery rate as we 11 as rooting score at close spacings. A 2" spacing was found optimal for subsequent performance with a 7-8 g unrooted cutting. Adequate spacing shortened the time required for root development and was as effective as a conditioning period in the reduction of wilting after planting. Foliar applications of complete nutrient solutions during the latter part of the rooting phase depressed top growth while rooting and had no effect on rooting score or recovery rate.masters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.CarnationsRoots (Botany)Text