Gardeners’ Queries

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 8

Gardeners’ Queries

an old remedy of quite reasonable effect and alternatively a mixture of two-thirds paraffin and one-third creosote painted on can be tried. Probably greatest control can bo obtained by spraying with winter tar oil during the trees’ dormant period and applying Mndane at green tip. It could also bo used now as soon as the fruit haa been picked.

Could you throw some light on the plant known as "Nightshade" which, I believe, exists In several forms.—D.W. (Sprlngston). Several plants, all belonging to the Solanaceae family, are known as nightshades. The most common is Common or Black Nightshade, Solanum nigrum, which bears predominantly white flowers and Mack berries. There is Bittersweet or Woody Nightshade dulcamara, with purple flowers and yellow anthers followed by red berries. Deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna, is the largest in this grouping not only growing up to four feet in height but also bearing large flowers and Mg black berries. I havo posted to you some samples from my grape vine. The stems have turned brown In places and theso stems havo not borne customary full bunches. Tho vinos, all throo of them, are outside, about seven years eld and have never had any disease before—G.R. (Papanul). Apart from being abio to ascertain that your vine is suffering from a fungus disease of undetermined classification no further advice can be offered until the pathogen has been identified. Now that lawns are beginning to grow again, the problem of disposing of lawn clippings onco mero arises. What do you suggest as asatisfactory moans of disposal?—H. B. (Christchurch). m using the word "disposal" M would appear that you are implying how to get rid of tho grass, which to rather wasteful. n could be applied lightly around the trees, shrubs and borders to provide organic matter or incorporated in the compost heap in thin layers over each of which an activator, such as sulphate of ammonia, should be sprinkled on. Finings from a brewery are most useful for this purpose, too. Do not make a massive heap of grass clippings on their own as it will smell most unpleasantly and act as a breeding ground for flies.

matter it maybe advisable to seek legal advice if your garden to suffering from the proximal v of tho trees. Aphids are com moniy troublesome on stiver birches and their excretions can severely smear underlying growth. Difficulty wilt undoubtedly be experienced in spraying big trees and the most satisfactory way in controlling these pests in such instances is to apply a systemic insecticide such as an organo phosphorus compound which should be applied now. Spraying when the leaves are no longer on the tree will be ineffective as the aphids will not be there. At tho Australian exhibition this wook I was most intrigued by soma of the flower speclmons which, although rather shabby in their appearance there, must ba quite striking In thalr native states. Could tha Ranksla prlonotes, I think It was, bo grown here In Christchurch?— “Gardener*’ (Christchurch). Much of the Australian flora is both unique and spectacular tn its form and very eyecatching in colour. One of the great sights to to see flowers of Western Australia In full bloom In spring time. Banksia prlonotes was, I think, exhibited. It requires a warm situation but I am not aware of any grown in the Christchurch area, though Lt is quite poslble.

Rhodesian Airmail

Some delay has occurred In air-mail items sent to Rhodesia, according to advice received from the actingchief Postmaster (Mr A. D. L. Lamont). New Zealand air-mail items for Rhodesia returned by Kenya were received on April 1 at Wellingtan in a surface ma il from Mombasa. There were 2145 items returned, and to inform addressees of the reason for delay in delivery, each item was stamped with a special rubber stamp. The mail was reforwarded to Rhodesia by special airmail. It left Wellington on the 8 a.m. flight to Sydney on April 2 to connect with a further flight to Salisbury via Johannesburg.

USB tho Advertisements in “The Press” to plan your buying Tho will save you many hour* of Shopping Time.