Reviving Neglected Bushes

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30477, 26 June 1964, Page 6

Reviving Neglected Bushes

I have some old neglected black currant bushes which have never been properly pruned* The bushes are -very big and sprawling everywhere. I now wish to give them attention, but I wonder just how to do it and whether it is worth it? Will I get fruit from them if they are cut back?— “Green Fingers" (Christchurch). Neglected bushes vary so much that it is not possible to give precise advice. If the bushes show any signs of disease or lack vigour it would be a waste of time to give them any attention. If they are healthy and have maintained a reasonable vigour there is no harm in trying to rejuvenate them. Remove all broken or damaged shoots first and then cut out the thickest growth from the centre of the bush. Fruit is borne on one-year-old wood only. The length of this will vary with the general vigour of the bush and the last time they were pruned. It may be of reasonable length or consist of short “spurs” which develop from older wood. Young wood can readily be identified as it is of lighter cplour than old wood. In general, pruning should be cut back to any young growth which is coming from near the

base of the bush. Cutting back should continue even if there is no voung growth coming from the base to produce an open and well-balanced appearance. Do not tip any of the young wood. Do not leave any basal stubs. After pruning apply a general fertiliser. Fruiting will be reduced for the first year, after which it will increase with the production of young wood. Could you recommend a Rowerins crab apple that I can plant In my garden? Is there any variety that car. ries fruit throughout the winter and Is untouched by birds. In my former garden there were several crab apples, but they were always very quickly stripped by the birds.—“ Town Gardener” (Christchurch). The variety “Jack Humm" carries large red fruits that seem to be untouched by birds. I would appreciate some advice on the growing of brussels sprouts as mine always fail to make any firm sprouts, of any size. What time of the year should they sown or planted?—A.T. (Hororata). One of the main essentials when growing sprouts is to plant sufficiently early so that they are well established before winter arrives. Sowing in

early November is « F c ®™” en ?o ed for your area. Fa ’ lu ,F e . form firm sprouts >» °* te " to excess of ni, ™B e 2°“\TAlk in the soil, and wh ®? i J? rg i ? £ matter is to be ’PP. I****" 1 ****" * preferable to add itfor • P r vious crop. Ano results which can cause poor results is a check in growth such- as is caused by insufficient moisture. Pinching out of the grow Ing tip is often but this Should bO care, taking out a is nart only when the plant is well established and the sprouts are beginning to form. I. it all right to cover • big pile of seaweed with well-decayed pine needlts? I find that If the seaweed *» kept moist it <l“ickly rots down, and It Is Intended to use it for topdressing the garden in the spring. Cow manure will be added. Will that provide all the necessary elements? I am doubtful about nitrogen.—J.P. (Kalkoura). Seaweed contains about as much nitrogen as farmyard manure, almost twice as much potash but much less phosphates. and of course some salt. Some additional phosphate will be needed to make up for tne deficiency. Care should therefore be taken when adding as a topdressing that you keep it off plants that are sensitive to salt, such as red currants and raspberries. , . . Pine needles could be added to the seaweed, but care should be taken not to add too much. I do not see that there is any advantage in adding cow manure, and suggest that you add garden refuse or straw instead. The heap should not be left exposed to the weather or much of the nutrients will be lost.

I have mulched my rhododendrons for several years with old sawdust. Recently I have noticed that there are a number of curious fungal growths appearing in the soil around the bushes. At first sight they appear like white puff balls, but later these burst, and produce a kind of membraneous web (specimen* enclosed). Could you tell me what this is called and whether it is harmful? — A.N.M. (Christchurch). The fungus is the bird cage fungus. It is growing on the dead organic matter in the soil and is harmless to the plants.