THE EFFECTS OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION WITH FE-EDTA ON STEM DIAMETER, FRESH AND DRY WEIGHT OF STEMS OF CARNATIONS (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS L.) GROWN FROM STORED AND UNSTORED CUTTINGS

In this study, spray carnation cuttings obtained from storage at 4°C during 55 days in cold storage and unstored cuttings transferred to greenhouse conditions were grown. The effects of different doses of foliar Fe-EDTA application (50, 100, 200, 300 ppm) on stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of stems of carnations were investigated. During the growing period (November, February and May), stem diameter was measured at 3 months interval. In these measurements, stem diameter of unstored carnation cuttings were found to be higher then stored ones. The effect of Fe-EDTA on stem diameter in May was found statistically significant. The effect of Fe-EDTA application doses on fresh weight of carnation was found statistically significant while carnation dry weight was not found statistically significant.