Have You. A Problem?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1938, Page 14 (Supplement)

Have You. A Problem?

E.S. encloses a specimen of a shrub with a hop-like flower and a distinctive odour. The specimen is Ptelea trifoliage, the "hop tree." O.F. sends a twig from a Hakea saligna hedge. The leaves have a black deposit on the underside and are attacked by insects. Due to insects, thrips or scale, which may be the cause of the black deposit on the leaves. Spray with au oil spray, using white oil I—Bo. This will control the pests. It would be advisable to give another spraying next spring. PERSIMMON writes: I have a persimmon tree which bears large 'crops of beautiful fruit, but appears to be dying. Do you know if it would be possible to bud or graft it on a quince stock T I have tried to get a slip, budded and grafted, but no luck. I have never seen another tree with fruit, like it in shape. They are oblong, some of them Jour and five inches long, weighing • about lib. The persimmon is usually grafted on the sewlling persimmon stools, the American wild form being used. I do not think it would succeed on" the quince. It is more possible to got a cutting to strike than to bud it on the quince. E.E.P. asks: (1) What is the best type of quick-growing hedge, to be grown in rich silt;/ soil in a sheltered place like St. Helicr's Bayt (S) Is there a special type of poplar which, if trimmed, makes a suitable and ornamental hedge. Is it a rapid grower? (S) When is the best time to grow any of theseT (1) Pittosporum crassifolium or Hakea saligna -would suit you for a permanent hedge. If you want something taller Cupressus Law: >niana would suit. (2) I do not know of one. Poplar alba would make a hedge but it suckers so badlv that It can become a pest. The tall Lombardv poplar makes a good shelter but makes a tree 60 to 100 feet high. (3) Planting can be done at any time between now and August, but best results will be obtained by planting at once. T.J.G. asks: How to keep chokos for any length of time. I have put a few awai/ but they appear to be growing, and was wondering how to keep thei.. for the wintert The choko is a fruit containing a single seed and beyond keeping them dry I know of no other way. Towards spring the majority show signs of growth.

J.S. writes: I have a poorman orange which dues not seem to grow vigorously, but bears quite a number of oranges. I found a large branch broken off and it lias been eaten around the bark. I have looked around but cannot see any powder from borer. Quite a number of piece* like sample enclosed seem to have borer on the outside. It is due to the work of an insect commonly known as the vine weevil. It is not usually in sufficient force to do a great deal of damage. A spraying or two with lime sulphur solution. I—l2o,1 —120, and sprinkling of napthalcne on the soil around the stem and under the branches of the trees will control it. TRIAMBLE writes: I have just gathered my pumpkins and found the stems badly riddled with a small grey caterpillar which is still present. It has attacked the outside of the pumpkin also, and I was wondering if I should break off the stems, or would this rot the pumpkin f I should gather the pumpkins, all except the very green ones, at once. Cut them away and let them dry thoroughly in the sun for a day, then store in a dry. airy shed away from rats. I do not recognise the caterpillar or grub. Usually, the outer skin of the pumpkin is too hard for any insect. ♦ + ♦ ♦ Year-Round Carrots II fs quite an easy matter to obtain a supply of carrots throughout the year. Considering how valuable they are for cooking as a vegetable, or for flavouring soups, everyone should endeavour to provide this unbroken supply. If we have a frame and are able to get some fresh stable manure and leaves from a neighbouring bush it will be possible to get a supply of delicious young roots quite early. This can be done by making up a hotbed and when the violence of the heat has subsided sowing the seeds in shallow drills four inches apart. For a successive supply sow a few early in the year in a cold frame, and at the end of July or the beginning of August sowoutside between the rows of early peas or broad beans.