Lemons Fell From Tree

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 6

Lemons Fell From Tree

Could you tell me if the enclosed orange berries are poisonous? They are seeds taken from pods of a plant that resembles iris. The flowers appear In February or March and are also like an iris, but greylsh.blue in colour. It appears that the plant Is wild.—R.B. (Christchurch).

The berries are from the plant Iris foetidisstma. Although it is widespread in some areas, and can even become a weed, it is not a New Zealand native but comes from Western Europe, including Britain. It is not poisonous.

On clearing up our garden Shed we found a parcel of bulbs which had been overlooked at planting time. These had shoots about an Inch In length that were a very pale yellow in colour. Is it worth planting these bulbs so late in the season?—Mrs O.L. (Christchurch).

These Bulbs can still be planted and thdre is no reason why they shouldn’t flower but they will probably be of poorer quality than those planted at the proper time.

I am enclosing two lemons, one of which ripened and fell off . after apparently- being attacked by some insect. The other lemon was picked from the tree and displays brown discolouration; The tree is about eight years old and at present is bearing a fairly heavy crop. In general appearance, it appears to be healthy.—“Bromley." • The. ripe lemon had been attacked by a leaf roller caterpillar, a common pest of citrus fruits and one which winters over in the fruit if not dealt with. Dropping of fruit from trees is also a symptom associated with their presence: control can be achieved with D.D.D. The lemon displaying the speckled brown discolouration appeared to be infected by brown rot, a soil-borne fungus which is transmitted to the fruit by rain splashes. All diseased fruit still on the tree and any that have dropped off Should be collected and disposed of, preferably burnt in the incinerator. Spraying with bordeaux mixture now at the rate of will offer some control. Grassing down or plastic mulching of the immediate surrounding area are also suggested if the trouble persbti.

Recent heavy frosts have browned the growing tips of a number of plants in my garden. Should I cut these tips back now or wait until the spring? I have had contradictory ' advice from friends, some of whom recommend the former, and Others tho latter.—" Uncertain" (Christchurch).

I recommend that you wait until early spring before you remove the tips of shoots that have been frosted.

Could you tell me how to raise a pomegranate from a mature tree?—"Pomegranate" (Cashmere). Pomegranates are easily raised from seed if sown in heat under glass. They can also be raised from cuttings, taken off young shoots during the summer.

What de you recommend as the most suitable grape for growing in a hard frost area? I have tried most varieties of outdoor grapes but find they all taste sour. —J.C. (Kainga). Unless you are able to provide a sunny, sheltered spot with an aspect tending to the north and in a position that is not subjected to late spring frosts, it is better to forget about growing grapes as there are many other fruits which will better reward your efforts The recommended varieties for Canterbury conditions include Pinovano 15, Albany Surprise and Siebel 4986, the latter being perhaps the hardiest. I have a Hoya which I keep indoors during tho winter. In the summer It is moved to a porch that faces north. This year, after its usual flowering, the leaves began to turn yellow. I thought thio may have been caused by the cold so I brought It indoors. It has, however, continued to deteriorate and many of its leaves are showing the symptoms of the enclosed specimens. It has been growing in a five-inch pot for three years.. Should I cut it right back or will it finally die? Hints on watering would be appreciated.

—A.B. (Christchurch). From the leaves which, you sent it is not possible to be sure what is causing the trouble. Hoyas are very sensitive to water-logging and as your plant has been in the same pot for three years I suggest you Inspect the drainage hole to see if it hu become

blocked with roots. Inspect the stem near ground level and ■see if there are any symptoms Of rooting. • . Hoyas do best in relatively small pots and need a welldrained soil.

During the winter little water is needed by the plant and it should only be watered when the soil has dried out, In the summer, when the plant is actively growing, more water will be necessary, but it should be applied when the plant needs ft, not at regular intervals. If the stem is healthy, cutting back is advisable. Recently I was given sama cress that had been grown In a Femfalton garden which had no stream. It looked, and tasted, exactly like water-cress (not tard and cress). Could you give me some information on it, as I would like to grow some.—P.G.G. (Christ-

church). • True water-cress needs running wa-ter or a spring to grow. It seems possible that the plant to which you refer may be land-.cress which is also known as American. cress (Barbarea praecox). This is an annual and can easily be raised from seed sown in normal garden soil. Sow seed in good garden soil direct, and thin the resulting seedlings.