Gardeners’ Queries

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31238, 9 December 1966, Page 8

Gardeners’ Queries

I have ent very good lawn and two of poor quality. I planted one of the latter and made the mistake of using cheap seed from a big storo which I understand contains littlo or no ChewIngs fescue or brown top. This grows three times as fast as tha good one and can be obsarvod seeding a day or two after cutting. The ether was not sown by me and I do not know its Identity. It does not sood prollflcally but comprises fast-growing, coarse grass. Is there any evorsowlng or fertiliser programme I can use to Improve these lawns er Is the best remedy to start again?—W.W. (Christchurch). Unless one Is really conscientious and takes considerable oare in preparation,- it is virtually impossible to sow a lawn without at least some weeds, but they will quickly succumb to the special weed-killers available on the market today. However, the tendency is frequently to blame the seed. This is possibly the cause where poor quality mixtures are purchased. The mixture which you used is reputed to be predominantly rye grass and crested dogstaii, two quick growing coarse grasses. Little fescue and no brown top are included. Although acid fertilisers will eventually help to eradicate the dogstaii, I would suggest ripping up the poor lawn and sowing in autumn with a quality 2:1 fescue:brown top mixture. I have a number of rhododendrons and azalea shrubs which, with the exception of one of'each, have made vigorous growth and flowered profusely. Until recently both these ailing shrubs ap-

pearad quite healthy and I have endoeed samples or each for your Inspection, comment, and advice on how to effect a euro.—“Azalea" (Fendalton). The azalea Is suffering from azalea leaf gall, a blister-like enlargement of all or part of the leaf. It may be pink, as on the specimen sent in by you, or white. As it ages it loses its succulence, hardens and turns brown. It is normally not a serious disease but in wet seasons, particularly in shaded gardens, its prevalence tends to increase and sametimes causes considerable alarm to the beholder. As you have but one azalea so afflicted picking off the galls should be the simplest, and sufficient, control. A carefully prepared Bordeaux mixture of approximately 1 ounce copper sulphate and 1/3 ounce lime per 1 gallon of water is effective for bad infestations. The rhododendron leaf suggests leaf scorch. They are susceptible to sun or wind burn, especially when wet. Inclosed leaves and fruit from our apples which all appear to look the same.— B.R. (Christchurch). The damage la physiological, that is, it is not a disease in the true sense having been caused by haii in the case of the fruit, and a combination of hail and wind on the leaves. There is nothing (hat you can do about it as there will be few crops which have escaped. Injury on fruit is probably little more than superficial and in the mature fruit may only be visible as a skin blemish. In your gardening notes on climbers the other Friday you mentioned Akebla quinata, also (as no other botanical writes) that It has

purplish fruits. Does this plant fruit with you? What size are they and are they edible? It grows well with us here, but has never fruited. Svery year a shed over which it grows Is beautifully decorated with the beautifully fragrant flowers. I note that away from the light the flowers remain a white to green shade but still appear to be fragrant. There seems to be a quaint story that the plant Is known In the Bast as “Caulamas vine" and that tho Lord Buddha was vory fond of It and planted pieces in his travois. I seam to remember that It was Introduced to tho rest of tho world from Korea.—W.C. (Hokitika). Akebla qulnata Is Indigenous to Japan and is somewhat variable In Its tendency to fruit. These can attain a .size of about two to three inches, are purplish in colour and oblong In shape.