Excess Of Lime

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 6

Excess Of Lime

For quite a few years now my plum tree has been showing an increasing tendency to bear discoloured leaves as per enclosed specimens. We do not give it much attention apart from trying to keep it in bounds so that the plums are not too much out of reach. It bears a good crop most years and no fertiliser is given.—R.J. (Christchurch).

Your plum is suffering from ‘lime-indueed” chlorosis which is caused by an excessive lime content of the soii'l, causing an iron deficiency; this shows up in the leaves giving them a bleached appearance followed by- brown die back in several cases—apparently not yet evident in your case. Runts are

commonly susceptible to this occurrence. The use of iron chelates can be tried according to instructions supplied with the substance.

What is the correct treatment of Callisvenon after flowering?—Bottle Brush (Kaiapoi). It can be pruned after flowering, but it is best not to try to induce or force it into formal shape by drastic pruning cuts. It is naturally a straggly plant and does not lend itself to unnatural habit of growth

I wish to get some seed , and plants sent to me from overseas and wonder whether there are any regulations which I would have to comply with first.—A.A. (Christchurch). You have not given the nature of your intended import, but nevertheless it is perhaps ad visable to approach the Customs Department concerning regulations:, mentioning the items you wish to bring into the country. Many plants have to be quarantined first and they must be free of soil, while others are prohibited imports. The Horticulture Division, Hereford street, may be of help, too.