Gardeners’ Queries

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 6

Gardeners’ Queries

We have just planted five Chinese Gooseberries—one male and four female. Would you give us information as to how to grow them successfully. They have been planted by a wire fence. Well they need further climbing facilities and do they need feeding. Will they fruit next year and must they be lightly picked to start with?— “Patsy” (Greymouth). Your proportions of plants, males to females, should be

adequate for pollination. The vines should be tied to the wires as they grow. As Chinese Gooseberries are vigorous growing plants they must be given fertilisers to maintain maximum production. Blood and bone, together with potash, is generally recommended and applied in two lots, in August and January. Any support provided for these plants must be substantial and it is as well to ensure this during the early stages of the plant’s development. Both summer and winter pruning is necessary. Detailed information can be obtained from the Department of Agricultures Bulletin, No. 349. I enclose specimens from Clianthus. For the last two year* bunches of growth have emerged from many leaf buds, gradually increasing in size and producing very small leave*. What treatment, if any, is there for this?—E.C. (Christchurch). The trouble is caused by a mite. Use diptrex for control.

Please find enclosed a leaf from my castor oil tree. As you will notice an insect of some sort is destroying them, please advise how I am to treat this tree to save it?—“West Coast” (Greymouth). If you examine the under side of a few of the leaves you will find the culprit, a small caterpillar, hidden under a web close to the veins or ribs of the leaf. D.D.T., arsenate of lead or carbaryl will dispose of them.