Practical Gardening

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 25

Practical Gardening

V • * 4> ( -~

»««.s'j? r l e »' ,onae ? t ? ' f,n oblige by observing the following roles la fending question* for publication In these columns:— should be Id not later than Tuesrtn» to be answered tbc fame weekaddressed to Garden Editor. "Star" Office. Auckland. possible ° D ° D * Bi< ' e °' "" papt>r * onf ' trjlke 4 " communlcatlens as concise a* n»eL-f.i~r iowcr . 8 ' efc - sent for namln" raust be sent separately, and. If possibie. tmncK 1 .!' n or w °oden box—cardboard boxes are very liable to be broken in transU and the cootents damaged _J^ e ' u '| name and address of the sender must always be sent, but a nom de plume or Initial may be given for publication.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

J.!,.!>. (Mount Eden I asks: (1 i How much sulphur to put with lime to make lime sulphur solution, also how much solution to mix with wnter for a spray? (2) M> Ranunculi are going all yellow, and I was told to sprny. llow often do I have to spray? (3) What part of the Tecoma do you take for cuttings?—(lt Lime sulphur solution is made by boiling the lime 'jnd sulphur together, it is a dirty, difficult process to get it made correctly, and It is far better to purchase the solution ready to mix with water. You will And directions on the container as to the amount to use for different kinds of plants. Concentrated lime sulphur solution can be purchased at any seed shop or store. (2) t'se lime sulphur solution one part, water seventy-live parts. Spray three times at Intervals of nbout three weeks. (.".) Take the short young tops. They shonlil be made al>out four inches long, riant in sandy soil and shade till rooted. COXPOK (Avomlalc) asks the following questions re Tomatoes under glass: (1) What space should bo left between the seedlings when pricking them off into boxes? If the pricking off Is done with a view to allowing more room for development, would not the same result l»c achieved bv plantinir the seed in the flrst instance at the desired spacing or by thinning out to avoid transplanting? You would then get nn uninterrupted growth without the setback which must inevitably follow the transplanting Into other boxes. (2) To wbai si7.e should the plants be allowed to grow before they are linaily planted out In the open ground? (3) Within what range of temperature should the glasshouse be kept to promote best growth? Even at this time of the year I notice the thermometer rises as high as 110 deg. in the middle of the day. Is this too hot? —(1) I'ut the seedlings about three inches apart. As regards the next part of the question it is a good suggestion, if space and circumstances allow it to be curried out. The transplanting has nn advantage, in that the seedlings are planted lower in the soil, that is, down to the first i>air of seed leaves, and this encourages a much better root system, as the Tomato sends out roots freely Trom the stem. Again, if the seed is at all poor blanks occur in the box and space Is lost. However, when dealing with a small numlwr the suggestion would be worth trying. (2) About six inches high : it soinewhnt depends upon circumstances, and is a detail that 6nly experience can supply. (3) The temperature should range about 50 dec. as a minimum. As regards 110 deg. during the hottest part of the day, this would be too hot. as the drop at night to & much lower temperature would cause a check. The point is to keep the temperature as even as possible, say. from 50 deg. at night to 65 deg. during the day. During the middle of n bright, sunny day it may rise a little higher. but the above temperatures should he the aim. Sndden rises or falls of temperature cause mildew and other diseases.

The saltpetre makes the wi»kl into a form of touchwood, which will smoulder easily but not flare up. If the tree was cut down some while back and the wood is dry, a little water should bo poured Into the holes with the saltpetre, but If full of sap there is no need to use water. F.H. (New Lynnt asks the following questions: tl) a Loquat tree, well grown, shows no sign ol btaring. although I am Informed it has fruited 1m fore 1 bought the property? <2> Two large Vines nre in a very exposed place, with tile result that fruit Is destroyed every yi ar. Coul<: il bp shifted to a more sheltered positiuti. and if so. when?—i 1 i The I.oquat usually bears well, and why your ;ree should have Kone off fruiting is difficult to say. You can do little to make it bear. I'robably it will bear again. The reason may be partly due to the climatic conditions, t.) The Vine could be moved: the best time to do it is in early spring, say about September If you were to spray with lime sulphur dur'ng the growing season it would save the fruit. t"se lime sulphur solution one part to seventy-live parts water. Spraying should i>« done at intervals of about thr>-e set ks In.m the time the Vine begins to grow until the f'uit begins to colour, excepting at the period when It is in 0 wer. IKIS tOnduingai writes: Could you give an- a list and also the colours ol the lercut varieties of Liliums? 1 have u»white, pink, acj also the tangerine, but ik> not know the names, i would like t«• make a complete collection. 12 i Could you give the r.ame of the bronze cuioured Iris, and if il is au Knglish or Spanish variety?—ill There is a large number of Llliums. and many of them an white. I expect your white variety is l.ancifoliutn albu"i, and the pink Lanci folium roseum. "1 he tangerine vatiety I expect is Trigrinum. As to a complete list ami colours, your Ik-si method wo;i.d be to obtain u catalogue from a nurseryman who deals in Liliums: that would give }ou the names and c*>lourg It would take liki much sjn»ce to git* a coin pleio list here. Tiie brouw iitlouret! Iris you refer to is the Spanish ln» Thunderbolt. C. 11. (Auckland) asks for the colours of the following varieties of Chrysanthemums, and If they are guod : (iallipoll. UsLl mauve pink, silvery reverse: .Mrs nrr. deep yellow, shaded chestnut re-! : \\ ii liain Turner, white: Kditli Cavell, ligl.t chestnut, gold reverse: l'ockett's l'ink. pink. All are good growers and tin-: class standard varieties.

k.R.C. (Remuora) asks: (1) For the name of a quick-;:rowing. frost-proof hwlsiplant anil when to plant'* CJ) Would manure assist the hoilge to grow better'? — (It The following are good hedge plants, anil they will stand a fair amount of frost ■ —I'ittosporum rrassifolinni " ami Hakea salicna. Both are quick -»mwiiii. and make a nice, compart hedge. Kl'-as-nns Is also a quick-growing hedge, but it requires frequent cutting to keep it in order. (-1 Yes. 1 should advise yon to apply lioiiciliist, it js more lasting titan most manures. >.(". (Oneliunga) writes: Wlirn more than one growth comes up from a Gladiolus bulh should be best one he left ami tinother removed '! —No. l.enve tile growths. • fhey represent new bulbs, and to remove I one • would have lit I It* or no benefit on j rlie other. '.I>. (Mount -UI'Tl i asks: I'otihl you tell me the l>rst way to dispose of tli" stump of a larg- Pine —Bore hides in the stump with an inch auger, the holes should g" nearly to the centre and nt a downward angle. Several holes should he bored at intervals around the stump, l'ill the holes with saltpetre nearly to tile top and plug with clay. In two or three months the saltj«etre will have impregnated the wood, and If a fire is lighted around the stump it will smoulder away.

hut tliA npj»l:m: I««r. would have to lie r»*pr>n i« «I at int«''rvn:«. « T»» Ido cot think that lawn <Ira*>s >••«•<! sown on top of would havo miKh rhanro ••i jrr<»wir.;r ;h<- >nrfac*» waf hr^»l<n i.i «i v.- i Ur> votixi sf-«-«:!inps a chance To ?«f of 'ho £i »unt} 1 u '! T" I '•* I »a» wrii.-s: (\nU<l I jrr«nv K.?"in |i!n:i*v J r .iij I fountl in tn#» iMiHii ; I \v«. ]I(| to know wbon t«• plant tin- c.«««l rh'* m«-fl.«kl of crowinjr th«* *' oTV tl«-> t n k«- to jrrow. ami wh«»n th«-\ rrii mov«tl.— Sow tlhs«*«i| at «»n"t- in «lr:Ii»s in th<* ojwn janka. T:i«* )«+«! ir.uv: i*. until Th*» :ii «• jifxuit *]jr«*o or four in cm-* liisrh. remain in I'm- siH-iI Im-,t f,, r at Wast tu«lvf months. xJh'H transplant The *'**N]lin:r ir+i-* into r*»\v. nilo-ninf a f«»«.t Iw tw.H'ii 11»#- plants in in«- row an*l put 'Ijo rows alvnt «fis ajari Tli<* tr*-«-» l»f trac*pl.u:t«il y<ar ni,*il i.u:o '-iioii~b. Th* n asi 11 f«.r i* \<• pnrtuira?*' a !it»r«»us H'Ot v;i ni. V. iifii laryo enough tin* t «.:i» Im* * m« t] p**rinan«*t:t ]Mi«iit ion*. I!i:i»c;K iMai.:T»-na. -k-: Will Hakra s »'i-n-i t<! < uj»r«--*;i» I.iws-ninna ~row 1 roiu «-tjllin:;* 1v..-lj u :il cr««w from ciatliiic--. I«sn .nrr «li sui j«i-ts i,. rt-"t. Tin- n«.n.-I metli<~l «.f Ix.lli is l>.v -<-, .1 Ti'-<-«-d zTi v. - r .nlily if sown •lnr::is "vinler or early sprittz. Th* »«<«l Imml hi 11 -1 1m- sh;Hi(ii uu'il t !.e j.lants air n f---.\ ijn-],<-f )iiirii. Se<-<| is f.iirli cheap. anil s<-.illinj:s £«-• • w quickly. When dealing villi small «mi.inil*i«-s it i« nm<-lj letter to Iniy stnr.ll ;rar<>H anil crx»i*• ili« n» "ii. Tl;<- r.u:s*t'< l:i--n -o-lni nut<> a s|.«-rI.TIt y <•{ r.".i- in: s«-<-!lins tr<-<-s supply i Ih-iii ;it .1 very rh<%i|> t.itf. C AKI'KN Kol-ukohii > i nsks the lolloirini «ju»—-ti«.u—. ill My Sirn«t>fTry plants ar>n: <1 ln-althy. kl l.av«- nhitf pr»yl'x'l iiic <lu-t "n win'- «f thl> lcavos. Is it Miclit '! i-'i Is fowl manure mixed with sj.ii.l a valuibi«- iii.inn r<- lor St raw terries i.'.i Will you ]>üblish a short article on tl.e Th" plants hav<oroliatily a touch of mildew. Spray *"it_h lino--nli-liur solution one part, water ... i ::r or lionli-am mixture & S-40. W

DAHLIAS

I in* l>.i!ili;is arc now over and the- toji? rati l>e rut «l"\vn to within nine inches of the proiiini. The stakes and ties s!ioi:!-l Im> rt.lieoted and carefully looke.l over, the* stakes ca:i he placed tope! her anil any that need resharpening should Ik* jurced on otie side to be dealt with wh»n the weather is too l>ad for outside work. The labels should be securely tied to the portion of the stem left on the tubers. It is a great mistake to let the labels set lost or mixed up, the result of unnamed plants is usually that the best gradually get into the minority as the poorer ones propagate more freely. When tbe tops are cut off the tuJ»ers can be lifted and stored. It is l«*st to cut the plants down a day or so before lifting the fubers. When lifting use a digging! fork and do not ;hni«l the fork in too close to the stem or \ou will break off the tu!>ers. Many of the varieties make one or two long tul>ers. and if not carefully lifted "he root breaks up. In many places the root, are quite safe 1,-f'. in the ground, but much better res*.il*> and more systematic methods are obtained by lifting the roots each vvintei and replanting in spring. The tuber.can be stored under a niacrocarpa hedge, in a shed or in any cool, fairlv drv. frost free position. They should be left untii they show signs of prowth in sprintr «hen they can be divided and replanted. SEED BOXES. V\ lien mak:;ig seed !<oxes there is one point to he rcmrrnNered and t'jiai is drainage must i>r provided. It is no jrood tru-;;ng to a slip or a !ii; of a hole, sufficient holes tr.::.* )*> !>-*- -<! at irster.aU in the 1-"T i t,, s'lov.

TAItAN'AKI asks the following quest i< us r<- ! golf course, i Volcanic soil is re f-re ted as A. clay soii is referred to as 15 > : il. A soil—(Jr-ens never sown with lawn seed are now subject to rib grass, which, with its small bmt"U centre, is bad putting. To destroy wi.uid joti au\<>cate very close cutting with scythe, or is there any kind of manure tba: woi:IH uo Fowl manure is go<-«l. what alnjui guafto'; iJi II soil —White clover appears and spreads o\er the lawn grass. 'Wouid scythe do here"' i:: i A soil — Tlk;, .: pseverai clumps of rocks, and it is haul to keep coarse giass down. I!lu<s:>iue is cT' rtivr ftir a short period. in-.t 1 acts later a> a ni.it.ure Would coal a»h-s ■ lignite con: I pel v.mently kiii V llow about cinps : fanum i«*lu>e do must uot i.e • vrusiie. but elleiin-; ,4, What .■heap pi< ventivc could be used to prevent flu-"-., grazing on the gn-.ii>? Would -li'-h; dressings of i>ep;>er or mustard do": i.*.i Would line lawn (ira.-s S. Ed tnk<- if .-'•u ti t.ll top of present <.r.is-sV—i ] , |;jj. • Jiafs is very difficult in ,>t rid o! ' i.!e«s it is dug out i lose cutting uith scythe world have Jitlle effect. Nitrate of soda scattered in dry weather will Kill :l:e tops. :ut the p'antains- grow again tiiin i.c.ou ;l:e groi;r.il level. Pigging out is the only perfect solntioi that 7 ' r ' s sing of nitrate of soda will kill out the clover. (, Salt is 'er.' Pooil for kil.iug out the coarse grass, but the best solution is to dig out th< coarse grass and nsow. Any applicn tiou is inclined to be only a temr.ir.iri reliei apart fr«•; i using a weed kilier mii b ii> arsenic, which of course ki!'s ail vegetation T.mnin refuse would be effective for a period. <41 I could n<>t suggest any efftctive solution that wonW prevent sheep "razing on the gre.n ; I'epper would kbep them off tvt a lime.

free drainr.ov. When filling the boxe* for use t he-e iii>!<•» must be tirst coverod with broken coarse -eoria or pieoes of broken flower j" ; av.i th;» afterwardoo'.ered witii a !a\cr o* or fihrou- i lnmjt- ..f -oil. V/EED lULLIKG. k». ■■' -■ .■":•! nr\ * ite J-i f;sni:i] 'im.- \\ ii -.-11,1 . -i; n •••■ - Im.ii, \\c i,„l the . iifow tli l:a» .■(•••I (lit awav can iie killo"' lV Jitrol. lak" a e. -mi3o;i iron meal -newer. i .<• a <.i rnor uadi'iir. round tin- -Kc-tti'i. at 1 out an inch o: v " above th.- I.!j. th" -kewer in ill" 1»»'* r. •1. ' n«"ll *' '' 1 * 1 • v. r <1 - nnc 3['(■ - tin* « t!i,-i : <..> 1..H-J a- a littie j«etrol .•liters l lit* ci-Ij'|i* iah w a few -l;» w vi,] wee \ wc. .j d-.id. Larsc do k< and vny «i<-i j»l\ 'noted we"<l» ma" I Heel a — -ii-i !' |.in-a : ion. Imt if per j " i~'' ' ' m ; ' w i'i »«v»n e'ear t'.«« n 1 GLADIOLI. i ft]:ii]ii'!i a--- -i —-ipij the mi.il "sjii!-, 'jrow r. anil Ovwy •■! a'l biiMi»ii< flower*.! • n«..rly .icrv -bade cnWr. | in v. mil'. •.<■*! i !i-'. p:nk. \i<ii(>t, ot** . wjii'e a<i en* flower* Ili'-v ha\p special :i\» value. retaining their freshness and liril'iancy of colour for neariv ,i fortnight an.' (leveloping everv Vud in \ra»«r. Ihe plan; in? may extend from April to N"(iven:licr. -.r even later, thus erjstiriii'.' a prolonged flovrerinp period. Plant fotir in.-lies deep, in well worked soil, to which a liberal dressing of we! 1 decavol manure fcas l>oen added, as this plant is a "toss feeder. In exj»osod positions j f. vcr p p*kes should lx? neatlv and ?fiiicii:tl\ staked and tied. (Vr.ision.il [ itpplications of !i«jiiii! manure w .11 I -really improve the flowers. l-.tl. j. : si/ ar.tl i »if*e. ; A GCCD POPPY. I Tlloso who re'.; -i; >«»r the old fhien'-' • Poppy. ;i \\.iiidci fr.l Hotter in plnv. n ; orjilijjc-s c.ii !et. j; a\ well wov lei a 1 ".he I mult it udo of o.mli-N iir.i .ariali'ti- in ! found in di-'-c-i.Jji Tit >•. I.m What sK-,11 |we say when ronfn.r'.. 'l "ilh — ii«~h a | striking <le\r 11 ■■ "lit a» 1' '• I»i in • Ijounie* The ilnvTi-r- •: \ erv n | vivid ' ora; pr -^.-ar 1 :*-e «»• c.n l' lix-tal sti ikinci". uiaik -d l.v a hr<viil Mack 'Mot<h while tile I : ..f (he 1< j deci'lv frinpi-d. so th •• 11«- wl- il- 'e- | sem'iles a inonsti-'*:» I*-' : ot Tnor P'i. ■ j inu it- flowci irp s :i>mi i' ].rovn!<-« the Ci'.ile»t clare and -etvr.ti<>n in the wlj..le , parden. and n« s rut n «"•» in hie i \a<e« «ih a few "! '■' •* ,n 11 h.l■< ». l> ' sinii.lv wonderful- rvp~.-i.«lly a« lt« 'vivid "colour 10-es nothing under artiGcial j light.