Gardeners’ Queries

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31635, 22 March 1968, Page 6

Gardeners’ Queries

Enclosed please find sample of grapes grown outside. As you are aware we have had some very hot day* and I am wondering if this trouble Is wind burn or would it be spray drift? —WJH. (Ashburton). Your letter arrived nearly three weeks after posting, hence the delay in attending to your query. Unfortunately the specimens had become mouldy and it was not possible to identify the pathogen which may have been present to cause the trouble. Sun scald has damaged many outdoor grapes this year where they have been fully exposed due to excessive removal of leaves. Hormone spray damage is entirely different from anything represented by your specimens. With reference to your item re. pruning walnut trees, we tried each month a pruning on a walnut tree and February we found was the best month, with no loss of sap; definitely not July.—“ Keen Gardener" (Kaiapoi). Thank you for your interest in the matter. Your experimentation would certainly provide you with information on comparative sap flow for each month but prevailing climate conditions can be an influencing factor too. Generally I still feel that if walnuts

must be pruned, early July is the time to do it Readers are once again reminded that if they wish to avail themselves of the “Gardener’s Queries” section of this page, fullest detail* and representative specimens, not just one if at all possible, should be sent direct to M. Lusty, South Beit, Lincoln.