Gardeners’ Queries...

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30093, 29 March 1963, Page 7

Gardeners’ Queries...

1 would be grateful if you could offer an opinion on the following problem. For the last two years our home garden potato crop has resulted in good yields of healthy-looking potatoes that have had an unpleasant odour during cooking and an unpleasant taste when eaten. This taste was so unpleasant that last year’s crop was consigned to the rubbish heap and it appears that this year’s crop may also have to be dumped. Only certified seed has been used. Lupins have been dug into the ground and superphosphate and blood and bone have been used liberally. No spraying has been carried out this year for a ebeck. The varieties used, Arran Banner, Jersey Bennes. and Ham Hardy have all been equally affected. Only potatoes dug after January have been affected as already stated.—

T.E. (Fendalton). There is no need to apologise for a lengthy description of the cultural methods that you have employed for this an helps in the identification of your trouble. Unfortunately the answei to your question la not so simple or straight-forward. The fact that ail varieties of potatoes in your garden become susceptible to the same trouble suggest that the soil has been contaminated. Possibly several years ago an agent was used, perhaps as a fertiliser, weedkiller or insecticide and a residue has remained in the ground. The plant absorbs some of it and it Is gradually transferred to the tubers, which may explain why the earlier ones are not affected. This is but a suggestion of the cause. A definite answer to your problem may perhaps be obtained by sending samples of whole tubers, together with fullest details of soil, cultural methods and any other relevant facts to: Plant

Diseases Division, D.SXR., Auckland. Plants for Identification.— “Scotch Heather.” Erica parkeri. Erica mammosa cpccinea, Erica cerinthoides, Enca rubens. Is there any way of knowing the right time to pick pears. One variety growing in my garden which bean fruits up to l%lb each does not fall from the tree and if left becomes floury. Fruits of Winter Neills fall off green. Have yon any idea of the name of this big pear which Is brownish in colour? —M.W. (Shirley). Pears should never be tree ripened as is generally advisable tor apples where flavour is highly regarded. Pears should be gathered before they separate easily from the tree, when gently raised on a level with the stalk. Birds will most often give a good Indication and a decision on when to pick. Apart , f , r „ orn .. tha t experience of one’s varieties, bearing tn mind the first sentence, is the best guide. The description of the pear that you give, especially as to size, suggests that it may possibly , ,Fj tsmaston Duchess. If it F«riety, it should be picked now and kept until it is mature. 1 have a camellia which is six years old and which to very healthy. In the past it has flowered very freely, usually in Angust and September. This year, however, Jhere was one flower In February and there have been three this month. Is tois flowering out of season anything to worry about?— —A.8.0 (Christchurch). It is not uncommon for camellias to produce odd flowers out of season. Some varieties are more prone to do it than others. There is nothing to worry about.