ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 65, 17 March 1934, Page 6 (Supplement)

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

J.G. (Whakatane) asks: (1) Will petunias stand the winter under a calico protection? (2) What annuals can be sown now to stand the winter with slight protection?—(l) Petunias will stand slight frost provided they are in a dry position. The Petunia suffers during winter from dampness. Against a protecting wall in a dry, sheltered corner petunias have passed the winter quite safely in the Kangitikei district. I should think, in your case, if you keep the plants on the dry side, with plenty of air circulating around the plants, you should be able to bring them through the winter quite safely. (2) Almost any of the halfhardy and all the hardy annuals could b<» carried through the winter with slight protection. To enumerate them would make too long a list.

J.W. (Sandringharn) writes: T have a bed; last year a few of the plants were affected with a species of mildew, but after transferring to a specially prepared new bed. more plants are affected, the foliage and flower stems being attacked. —The gerbera suffers from a rust disease, which spoils the foliage and tlowers and eventually causes the crown to decay. The reason the plants went off after being replanted in a bed of new soil was because they were diseased when planted. Spray with lime-sulphur ( 1 - 100). Two or more sprayings will be necessary.

T.O. (Otorobanga) writes; I have some roses and would like to strike cutti»-'s from tliem. Could you tell me the method of preparing the cuttings and time to strike'; —Itose cuttings can lie |mt In now. Choose current season's growth, lateral shoots, about six to inches long. Those that had a flower on a month or so ago are usually quite satisfactory. Take t''ese oIT. if possible, with a heel of older wood. The cuttings should lie planted in sandy soil In a shady position, and where thev can be watered. Plant tlrmly and deep enough so that only the top two luids arc above ground. These should root by spring, and rati be left where they are till the autumn, or transplanted in spring. Many of the newer roses are very difficult to root fro|n cuttings; the wood seldom gets lirm enough.

NTBIIKSTED KKADKR (Taihape) asks why viola plants have white spots 011 the leaves, and what to do to prevent it.— Due to mildew or leaf spot. Spraying with lime-sulphur 3-100 will eontroi it. Spray now, and again a fortnight later.

PASSION FRUIT (IOpsom) asks: (1) What is the trouble witli passion fruit; it is falling before ripe, and part of the vine has dried and leaves have fallen? Is there any remedy? (ll) A lawn has a lot of twitch grass running through. We have taken out quite a Jot, but do not want to remake the lawn, as it is cleaned of weeds and has a good surface. Is there anything to kill the trouble?— (1) The passion fruits are attacked with passion fruit rust. I think, however, that the roots of the vine are dead, hence the reason for the leaves falling, and the stem drying up. In that case you can do nothing. Spraying with lime-sulphur (1 —100) will control the rust. (-) The only way to control the grass is to pull it out. There are several kinds of twitch, and you do not say which one you have. Some mako-good lawns, and by mowing and rolling can" be kept in* a very satisfactory condition.

PhAR (Kpsom) asks: (1) The cause and cure of the affecting the pear? CJ) Marigolds and lilac tree are infected with the gauze-winged moth: are thev injurious?—(l) The pear is affected with siab. All infected fruits and fallen leaves should be collected and burnt. In addition, any dead twigs should be cut away and burnt. Spraying should be done as follows: No. 1, green tip, or when buds are just bursting, lime-sulphur, 1 10; No. H, pink, when petals are visible, but before tlowers open, limesulphur, 1-20; No. petal fall, lime-sul-phur, 1-100; No. •!, ten days later, limesulphur, 1-100; No. r>. every month till fruit reaches maturity, lime-sulphur, 1-100. At present stage little can be done except collecting infected fruits, and burying deeply or burning them. A spraying now with lime-sulphur 1-100 would prevent further infection. (-) I do not think that the gauze-winged moth does harm to the marigolds and lilacs.

8.W.1). (Mount Albert) writes: We wish to plant a hedge all round the house for shelter. Would you tell me (1) the name of a quick-growing hedge plant best suited for the purpose, (2) when to plant, and (.'{) distance between eaHi plant?—(l) Pit tosporum crassifoliuni. (2) May to August. (15) Eighteen to twenty-four inehes.

II.M.I?. (To Papapa) writes: The loaves of parsnips, tobacco and butter beans arc suffering severely. What is it that lays the eggs with the woolly stuff surrounding them?— They are the eggs of a caterpillar, probably the white butterlly.