September Show

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30277, 1 November 1963, Page 8

September Show

_ Our garden In New Brighton 1, well sheltered from the east Wind. We would Hire to have it looking particularly nice early in September next year. Could you advise what to plant and when, so as to have a good show of bloom? —WJ.S. (New Brighton). Bulbous subjects can be planted in March or as soon as they are obtainable, such as crocus, snowdrops, iris reticulata, scilla siblrica, chlonondoxa or “glory of the snow,’’ hyacinths. and some of the early flowering narcissus. Other plants, which can be planted in March or April or raised from seed sown earlier, include Iceland poppies, forget-me-nots, calendulas, pansies and violas. Could you answer the following questions: The name of the enclosed weed. Last year my magnificent zinnias wilted one by one and died; is this a virus and is it carried over in the soil? What is causing the trouble on the enclosed camellia leaves; they are from a bush two years old. I have a walnut tree which is thickly underplanted with winter flowering bulbs. I wish to clear this area but digging them up is almost impossible because of the hardness of the ground and the matted roots. Is there anything that will destroy the bulbs without harming the tree?— “Inez” (Christchurch).

The plant is Euphorbia lathyrus or caper spurge, which is not usually considered to be a weed as it is cultivated for its ornamental foliage. The trouble with your zinnias is most likely caused by a soilborne fungus disease of which there are a number attacking zinnias. Grow the zinnias In a different place each year In a position in full sun that is well drained.

There would appear to be no pest or disease attacking your camellia and I am of the opinion that the damage is being caused by sun scorch. If you really wish to destroy the bulbs you could spray the foliage with a weedkiller containing dalapon to which some spreader has been added. As it is now late in the season you may not obtain a complete kill and a further application may be necessary next year. 1 was interested in your article on thematic stamp collecting. Having more than a passing Interest in this hobby during the last few years, your article has stimulated me to commence collecting stamps with a floral motif. I would like to acquire a, catalogue which deals specifically with this subject. Could you let me know whether such a publication exists and if so, where it could be obtained? —M.CJ. (Ashburton). The American Topical Society has issued a handbook; number 30, by Tucker and Weber, and as far as I know this is the only work on topical issues with a botanical theme It la doubtful whether such a publication would be readily obtainable although it is possible that one of the local stamp dealers may have it or be able to obtain it

Australian explorers have found in the Antarctic two seals, mummified by dehydration in the cold dry air, which they believe may have died hundreds of years ago. —Reuter.

for you. Otherwise it can be obtained direct from the A.T.A. Australian Agent, A. H. Segnlt, W The Grove, Lower Mitcham. South Australia. “-mun,

I have a Hoya carnosa that is two and a half years old and is making good growth. At present it is producing shoots from the leaf bases. Should these be nipped back? What is the cause of a blue bulbous iris turning a cream colour in the bud and then fading away without opening?A.S.

There does not seem to be any point in nipping the side shoots from the Hoya unless you wish to train or keep it in shape: these side shoots will eventually produce flowers. Your description of the symptoms of the iris are too JJkue to be able to identify the trouble with any certainty, although it seems possible that the trouble may be caused by thnps.