Witloof Is Edible

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30365, 14 February 1964, Page 7

Witloof Is Edible

Could you tell me how to use chicory because I find that it is very bitter? How is witloof used. I have a bush of oleander which is dropping its buds instead of the flowers developing properly.' I have heard of similar occurrences in other districts. (Mrs) D.M.W. (Christchurch). There are two distinct types of chicory. The roots of one are used in the dried state for mixing with coffee and the other is the witloof type, which is used in salads. Chicory generally is bitter to the taste and for this reason it is usual to force it into early growth and to eat the blanched shoots. Oleanders need hot dry conditions for the flowers to develop fully and I am of the opinion that the bud drop has been a result of the recent unsettled weather. Enclosed are some walnuts and leaves and I would appreciate advice on their trouble. Over the last two years this infection has attacked the tree. It is only a young tree, so that remedial measures could easily be applied.—E.B. (Sumner). The leaves show two different troubles. The blackening of the leaf margin is caused by bacterial blight of walnut • and the nuts are affected by the same trouble. Generally trees are too large to make control of this disease practical; but as yours is only a small one, the following treatment is suggested: Bordeaux 64:54:4 gallons water with the addition of 14 fluid ounces of summer oil should be applied early in the season when about half of the terminal buds are open, again when the female flowers are evident, and finally when the

young nuts are the size of small marbles. The light brown furry patches are caused by a mite and rarely prove troublesome. Can you tell me what is wrong with the enclosed zinnia? It, and several others, liad. almost reached flowering size and then wilted.—N.J. (Linwood). Your zinnia is suffering from a fungus disease which is attacking the stem at or near ground leved. It seems that it may be a disease known as sclerotinia. which is difficult to control. Grow your zinnia on a new pieces of ground next year -well away from this year’s crop Could you advise me on the disease that is attacking my roses, and its control? Leaves (enclosed) are dying and falling off and some branches are now bare of leaves. These bushes have been sprayed several times with lime sulphur, colloidal sulphur and captan. The first flush of roses was good.—C.S.L. (Ricca rton). The leaves show a heavy infestation of red spider which can be controlled by kelthane or chlorocide. There are also symptoms of apparent spray damage, probably resulting from an application of lime sulphur during hot weather. Could you tell me why the leaves of my hydrangeas are brown? This condition has now appeared on the flowers.—F.U. (Shirley). I am afraid there are insufficient details to suggest the cause of the trouble. Are the leaves yellow? Is the bush exposed to full sun? It does seem. hWvever, that the cause could be the result of sun scorch.