Gardeners9 Queries

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31385, 2 June 1967, Page 6

Gardeners 9 Queries

On my late tomatoes, which have not fully ripened, I find a black slug-like creature which appears to be encased in a sort of web or cocoon. It seems to be a fairly voracious eater and we will presumably have to deal with it in future years. Can you identify it from this description?— “Just Another Pest.” (Timaru). To give a definite answer one would have to see the pest but it would seem possible that it is the chrysalis or pupa of the looper caterpillar which you have come across. These are indeed voracious feeders and can causu considerable dar-.age if not controlled. Burn all the pupae which you find and during the season carbaryl will give you the necessary control when needed. Could you please advise method and time for planting asparagus and

also recommend varieties?—l. D. (Christchurch). Asparagus should be planted before the buds beg.a to move. Between August and September, when the ground is in a workable state, is the most favoured time, locally, to do this. Crowns should be placed on a small mound of soil, with the roots carefully spread out around It, about six inches below the surface (eight inches if planting in sandy soil). The plant should be covered with enough soil and firmed sufficiently to avoid any part < f the asparagus showing. As the shoots appear gradually replace the rest of the soil until the surrounding surface level has been reached. Coniston is a widely growr variety, whilst Mary. Washington and ParaI have a Bougainvillea growing in a pot on the back doorstep and would like to knew whether the r Croat will harm it or if it

will have to go Into a larger pot and at what time of the year will I shift it—“ Constant Reader” (Beckenham). The information you impart is rather vague as you do not state the aspect in which the plant is growing, nor the size of pot or variety. As a rule these plants are frost tender and are more likely to succeed outdoors in the hills around Christchurch. However, they can be grown successfully against a sheltered north-facing wall in full sun on the flats. Winter time is the most suitable time to shift, which should not present any difficulty as yours is in a pot.