Your Problem

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 16 (Supplement)

Your Problem

PUZZLEP (Xorthcote) asks if it »« the horer or the xcorm that is attacking his lemons. He sends an unripe Meyer lemon. He is anxious about the matter and wants to know how to effect a cure. The punctures are due to the attack of a small RTub when fruit is small. Spray with lime sulphur I—l2o during the next few clays anMf again in a week or bo. Ims should'control the pest. It is not very serious. A II If (Tnint Cheratier) asks: Could you inform me whether (and hou>) it is possible to shift a four-year-old peach tree successfully? It cropped heavily this season and is still covered vnth leaves. Yes. you can move a four-year-old tree. It should bo done as soon as possible: the foliage left on the tree does not count. Start by digging a trench well out from tin- tree base say throe foot from tlio stem. Minn work away'tho soil towards fho stem. preserving the roots and throwing out the snil Any very coarse roots that go below twelve Inches or so should be cut off at Unit length Make the hole when replanting large and deep enough to take the roots without cramping. GAlfl)i:\i:iZ (Mount Eden) writes i (1) Could you advise me as to whether fiouth Island red potatoes can he grown in volcanic soil? <-> Should guava tires he pruned, particularly the undergrowth t The tree is two years old and stands flee feet high. (1) Yes I expect you refer to Dakota Hed. (J) If necessary. As a rule the guava requires little actual pruning. It may need shaping or some undergrowth cut away. PUMPKINS (Avondale) asks: (1) What are the chief causes of pumpkins in storage lining badi (2) What would be the ill<nl tape of shed fur storage of same/ (li Them can be several causes, but probably the most frequent cause is skin puncture or bruises made when growing or harvesting. Hreiiking or bruising the outside skin allows fungi to enter and set up ilitiiv Some sorts with particularly hrm skins will keep longer than others. Then (here i< the whole question of maturity. The pumpkin is a seo-1 pod, and when the temperature increases; it nets on and 11.rough the skin, causes decay, and allows the shell to break open and the seeds to "•■■■minute CJi l>rv and airy, with a tem- " mire above freezing point. <!ood ventilation t<. prov,., it the condensation of moisture is essential. It should also he verminproof. SOYIf'K asks: (1) T.ast year I planted a pear tree and rut it bark about a third. This year there are fire healthy-looking leaders or shoots (last season's growth, of course) about three feet in length, but tio lateral growths or spurs. Would you atlrisc me how to treat trees with rrgnrd to pruning! (-i / al*o planted tin apricot last year ami cut it hark 11limit a third. It has now three main ■.tints or leaders with numerous lesser ones besides laterals. Would you ml rise treatment in pruning'! The tree is nimhi three times as big as when piirrhtisitl, but looks healthy. (ll Cut back loaders to about twelve inches. If loaders are badly placed you can cut out one or two. Throe leading or main branches are usually sufficient. (-1 Ketluce Hi" loaders a little that is, cut them off approximately six inches to nine inches. < , ut buck the laterial shoots to three or four buds. IiItiRORSE asks: —(l) Would yu name ihe enclosed spirimrns and their rtason for not hating flow.ircdt CJ) Sereial slock plants growing in a bo under glass arc withering a.'te gri mination. (Un you tell me whyt (1) It is a fibrous-rooted begonia. The reason ot non-flowering 1 cannot say unless ii is in too shady a position. Usually Ilioy flower well, Perhaps the plant is too small: if so. of course, time will correct the. fault. Ill) Duo to a fungus aggravated by dampness. Dust the seedlings with "flowers of sulphur." This is quite narmli-«H to the seedlings. Keep the soil on the dry side.. If sowing more seed or pricking out plants. use new soil, as the present soil will contain spores anil must not no used for this purpose again without it is sterilised. .!./;. (.lurkliind) asks: — Would you let me Know what time of the year to prune !lrape vines f (irape vines should be pruned now.