Your Problem

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 189, 12 August 1939, Page 14 (Supplement)

Your Problem

J F. (Heme nay) tells me: We have a large tecoma hedge on one side of the house and want to know if (a) we could plant a hedge a section by getting cuttings from the hedge itself, (b) if what kind 03 soil should be fixedf (r) How to cut them from the hedgef (d) When to put them inf (a) I could not recommend vou to plant a hedge l.y means of cuttings, hut vou could take the cuttings and root them in a frame or prepared bed and plant them out atterwards when roofed, (b) You need sandy so il ( c ) Take the short voung growths about four inches long, or vou might get enough rooted pieces at the l>si»e these could be cut off with a few roots' attached. (d) Cuttings are best inserted in March : that is. late summer. The warmth In the ground is sufficient to give them a chance to root. The tecomn is a warm weather subject, and it does not like bein>' disturbed in wet. cold weather.

BROAD REAN asks : Would you inform mr what sprat/ to use to control the block aphis on 1 road beans f Xicotine in some form. There are several forms offered and all are good. Also dusting witli Derris dust would probably be effective. This liitter can be procured from any seed store and is non-poisonous.

ANXIODB TO K\OW writes: What is wrong with our orange tree, about four years oldf It has never had a crop yet. It blooms well every year, but they just fade away. Two or three fruit may form, but never more come to any size. The same applies to two Chinese gooseberry trees. On the orange tree we have noticed a kind of fungus, shell-like, which if pressed e.rudes o blood-like ttuid. .4 neighbour has got the same thing on a little bush bearing red berries. Both gardens are surrounded by native trees. I would like to know what is the matter and how to remedy it. The shell-like insect is scale. Spray the trees with white oil. I—Bo. This is obtainable at any seed store. Just why the fruit does not set is difficult to say. as there can be several reasons; probablv however, it may be due to the scale. Trees that have this scale on should be sprayed.

WAIHEKE asks: Would you tell me the name of this bush?

I cannot recognise it from your specimen.

GRATEFUL (Kings/and) sops : * Some of the leaves of my lemon trie (thornless) are turning yellow and falling off. Would you tell me what is wrong and what to dot The tree is about So years old and has been a prolific bearer. It has the. borer, but I think / have checked that. It is probably due to dieback or It may be due to the effects of the borer. Spray according to the following schedule:— No. Time of application. Spray to use. 1. At blossom fall of Bordeaux, 3-4-50 the main crop. 2. At blossom fall of Bordeaux, 3-4-50 the autumn crop. C.F. (Ellerslie) says : Some time ago I was given a pod of ornamental gooseberry with orange-coloured pods. It is now dry and I should be so pleased if you will tell me when it ought to be put in the ground. My friend told me it would grow. It Is apparently a pod of a Chinese gooseberry. If you break open the pod you "will find the seed inside. These must be taken out and sown in a warm, sunny position in sandy soil, keeping the seed bed shaded till seedlings are up. The seeds should be covered with about half an inch of windy soil. The <eeUs should Dot be sowu until October.