Your Problem

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 23, 28 January 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

Your Problem

T.AKA auk* the name of the three specimens Kent. (1) Mallow: ('J) Verbena venosa; (3) Alstromeria pelegrina.

I'ERPLEXKD (It'iifnl Oak) gay* : Three years ago I planted some tuberoses in a sunin/ place in the Harden. Some 0/ them flotrered the first year they vcere planted, but since then they hare not flotrered. They hare multiplied and there is a good number of bulbs around each clump. Could you please explain the reason for their not having bloomed and tell me what I should do to make them flowert Also, u?hat manure do they requiret Should / divide them upf It is difficult to get the tuberose to flower in some soils and gardens—just whv I cannot explain. It is equally difficult tor me to make bulbs flower. As you sav the bulbs flowered the flrst year but no't since. I should certainly recommend you to Jift and divide the clumps, planting up the large bulbs, and if you need them the small ones, but it you have enough of the large ones I should not trouble with the small bulbs. In regard to manure there is no particular kind that I know of. but probably the best time for lifting and replanting is about September. • • • • 7 ffAXK YOU tells me: (1) I have a garden on light soil. What would you advise me to do to improve the soil for next scasonf J have been growing potatoes and a small part in vegetables for several years. (2) What is a good manure for potatoes and how should I use itt (3) I do no good with lettuce. What would you advise me to dot (4) Also cabbage, cauliflower and beansT (1) A light soil such as yours needs plenty of humus. This is best achieved by sowing and digging in crops of oats, lupins, mustard, rape, etc.—almost any crop that produces abundant lcaface can be used. Of course, manure is also necessary and in your ease superphosphate and blood and bone would answer. (2) A irood manure for potatoes is super 4 parts, sulphate of ammonia 2 parts, sulphate of potash 1 part. You can also get some good proprietary mixture put up by local merchants and specially mixed for potatoes. These mixtures are quite reliable. (3) I/ettuoe on light soils is always a precarious crop, especially during summer. <iive plenty of manure before planting and give a pinch of nitrate of soda once a week during the growing period. (4) These will give good results if you carry out a system of green cropping and use plenty of manure.

XAIRU says : I am enclosing a specimen of gladiolus foliage. Will you please tell me what <« icrongt I have been growing them for 20 yean or more and have not had them go thi* icay before. Due to red spider. Spraying with limesulphur I—l2o will control it. ♦ • • • Tfi asks : Will you please answer We following questions regarding hydrangea culturet (1) When is the correct time to take cuttings T (2) When to remove growing shrubs from one place to another, and will they bloom the following seasont (3) How ond when to prune to get the maximum number of blooms T I have been getting a lot of blind stems through not knowing the correct method. (4) How to change the colour of the blooms ; when to apply and the correct quantity of chemicalf (5) I have a number of plants in pots; when can I plant these outsidef (6) What is the correct manure to uscT (7) So me of my plants wilt in sunshine. How can I prevent thUT (8) Some blooms die quickly when taken from the plant and placed in water. How can 1 prevent thisT (St) I have a plant that dies right down and revives again. It will do this on a dull as well as on a bright day. The cause is not lack of water.

(1) Autumn, March, April. (2) March to July. (3) Prune directly flowers are over. Cut to a prominent bud. The buds are usually in pairs. (4) You cannot change the colours at •will. If your soil contains iron your hydrangea blooms will turn blue. You can control the colours somewhat by watering the blue ones with a solution of alum and the pink ones with a slightly acid solution, using a spoonful of vinegar to the gallon. You must not expect too much, because the actual soil has more to do with this than any method you can devise. Of course, this applies to outdoor culture; in pots or tubs a much better control over the colouring can be exercised. (5) Any time that the soil is moist. (6) No particular manure in most Boils. The hydrangea does well enough without manure. If the soil is particularly poor use bonedust. (7) It must be because the root action is at fault or a dry soil. (81 Place the ends of the stems in boiling water for a few minutes directly after they are cut from the plant, then put them in a deep vessel with plentv of cold water. (9) I cannot say why it 4oea tbla.