BOTANIC DEFINITIONS OF PLANTS OFTEN IGNORED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27415, 30 July 1954, Page 6

BOTANIC DEFINITIONS OF PLANTS OFTEN IGNORED

GARDEN NOTES

(Specially Written for “The Press 1 *)

IBy

T. D. LENNIE,

jut x itv rresa i , A.H.R.1.H., N.Z.J

Friday, July 30, 1954. The student of botany has to learn the meanings of many obscure words, and he reaches an interesting stage when confronted with plant definitions. The layman usually ignores them and carries on with commonplace names and impressions. For instance, we talk loosely of fruits and berries, without realising that there is any difference. There is, of course, a very substantial difference. A fruit is that which contains the seed within itself. That proves the apple, tomato, pumpkin and grape to be true fruits. These are again divided into berries or drupes. The berry has a solid flesh with seeds embedded, as in the gooseberry, grape, raspberry, strawberry, and currant; the drupe has the seed enclosed in a bony endocarp, quite distinct from the flesh. Therefore all fruits containing a stone or hard core are drupes. That class embraces the cherry, plum, peach, apricot and so-called berries of "many of our popular shrubs. The hawthorn crataegus are well-known examples of this section. With all fruits, of course, distribution of the species is ensured, for the outer covering is food for birds and animals. Thus, young plants have a chance of growing up well away from the parent tree. FLOWER GARDEN

Rose pruning can be started. Begin by removing old thorny stems and crowded middle pieces. Prune just above an eye pointing upwards or outwards, and do not be hesitant or timorous, as fairly hard cutting back is advisable.

Hardy, perennials—so-called florists’ flowers—should now have attention as the mainstay of the summer display and without peer for house use. They should be helped by digging in around the clumps something in the way of manure or compost. All old flower stems and leaves should have been removed some weeks ago. In this class we get such indispensible cut flower plants as Scabiosa caucasica, the useful bright orange brown helenium, the South African gerberas, the graceful bleeding heart (dicentra) incarvillia and aconitum, among others which are worth inclusion.

We do not need the appearance of snowdrops and primroses to inform us of the approach of spring. It will make little difference to our winter programme, which has still a long way to go, with many important jobs still needing attention. Nature flourishes her early blossoms according to a strict plan, and although the lovely pink prunus are brightening the landscape now in many gardens, it does not follow that planting young trees of the type need be hastened, for planting will go on past August with good results. So far as root action is concerned, with trees that have been nursery-grown and lifted in May, as most of them are. transplanting can be safely done almost into spring. The question often arises of shifting older roses and shrubs to other sites. There is a risk with these, but generally it is worth taking, so long as natural laws are observed. Sojourn in one position means that certain strong or leading roots are formed, which carry a big share of plant support. Sever these and the plant may be deprived of its main source of supply. The chance of success therefore lies in shortening the branches proportionately. In this way, equilibrium is regained until new roots are formed.

Generally, evergreen shrubs are easier to transplant than are large deciduous ones, for they seem better equipped with fibrous roots. Dwarf shrubs are always popular, and more of them can be grown. In addition to the ever-popular

hydrangea and azalea, mention can be made of several good lines. Lilacs, for instance, in the so-called French hybrids can be got in many fascinating colours from white to dark red and purple, and with single and double clusters. These hybrids flower in the first year after planting. Beaufortia sparsa is a new scarlet bottlebrush. Ceratostigma willmotti is a, charming three foot shrub with clouds of sky blue flowers in autumn. Boronia denticulata and Daphne burkwoodi are two scented plants of real charm and agreeable scent.

In filling up gaps in the shrubbery, give a thought to the value of some of our New Zealand plants. The kowhai, ribbonwood, and pittosporum are excellent for the background or street line. Some of the olearias, senecio, variegated flax, carmichaelia, veronicas, coloured manukas, broadleaf and panax are striking enough for any garden. VEGETABLE GARDEN All crops for green manuring should now be dug in so that bacterial action can be possible by the time seeds are sown. Small seeds should not be sown yet, but a row of broad beans, early peas, lettuce, and cabbage will be possible. Shallots should be planted, and are always worth while. While in some early districts potatoes are being planted, in general it is best to sprout or green the seed in boxes for a month or more.

With the ground temperature at lower than 40 degrees F., practically no growth results. Therefore the delay is all in favour of quicker following action by the seed. Asparagus and rhubarb can be planted, also the useful herbs, thyme, sage, mint, and chives. Under glass, tomato seed can be sown. FRUIT GARDEN Every advantage should be taken of fine spells to get on with pruning and spraying of fruit trees. Just in case it is thought unnecessary, do not overlook the small fruits, currants, gooseberry, and loganberries. All these can be infested with scale to their great detriment, and at least every second winter should be given the apple winter application of red oil at one in 20. The grape vine, either outside or under glass, should be sprayed at the same time, and in addition with lime sulphur when doing the stone fruit trees.

Pruning is necessary in that it fashions the shape and controls the bearing parts so that fruit is not crowded or deprived of life-giving sunlight. Fruit tree pests, both insect and fungoid, can have a very detrimental effect on the health of the tree, therefore the full strength winter spraying should not be neglected. Leaf curl, die-back, brown-rot. and bladder plum are serious on peach, nectarine, and plum, and the dormant spray of lime sulphur or bordeaux is the first step in their control. The same applies to the walnut tree, for the disfiguring black mould will ruin the crop if unchecked. It can be checked by spraying now. Should any pruning of walnuts be considered, it should be done at once before the sap starts to run.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS “S. A.” Reefton.—You will have to find a fresh seedbed for your onion patch next season, as the mildew causing the rot in the bulbs can be carried over by seed from them or can be latent in the soil. Spraying in early summer with bordeaux is also recommended.

“N. M.” Geraldine. —Growing and dwarfing trees on the Japanese system is a long, systematic business. Briefly it consists of growing young plants in flower pots, trimming the roots each winter, and giving only enough soil and room to keep the plant alive.