Gardeners’ Queries

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31989, 16 May 1969, Page 6

Gardeners’ Queries

Court you advise how Japanese iris can be made to bloom with regularity each year. They are fed bone meal but bloom only spasmodically. NJ. (Christchurch). There is no way of determining why your Japanese irises bloom irregularly. If they receive plenty of sun and are grown in rich acid soil these plants normally flower freely each year. It may be helpful to feed them with a regular complete fertiliser in spring and, if they are old and over crowded, to divide them after blooming. Lime should not be applied in their vicinity at any time.

Enclosed is a branch of Leucospermum boliuii, a shrub about three years old which has been thriving and is now wilting. Is there a disease present?— J.H. (Christchurch). The only noticeable thing on the specimen was the presence of a few scale insects, but it is doubtful whether they would be responsible as yet for the plant wilting. Root disturbance or excessive moisture on the leaves can cause this, and might be responsible for the trouble in your case.

Recently you had an article on African violets. I cannot seem to get mine to survive—they got soft and their leaves tend to curl under. Can you help me overcome this problem?

“Plant Ix»ver“ (Kaikoura).

It is only possible to surmise that your plants are suffering infection from a fungus rot. This is encouraged by poor drainage and excessive and indiscriminate watering. It is usually best to discard affected plants.

Replacement peaches: I have been told that there are new varieties on the market. Could you please give some details and also advise where they may be procured? “Interested Grower” (Christchurch).

There are several new varieties which have proved very successful in trials. They are not as yet available in great numbers and include Dixie Red, Fairhaven, Red Haven and Rochester. These are predominantly earlyripening varieties with the exception of Rochester which is mid-season; all but Dixie Red are freestone and the latter is a semi-cling stone variety. Information on retailers of horticultural material cannot be given on this page, nor is personal correspondence possible. My general rule is to mention only lines that are generally available, though there may be exceptions.

Caretaker Appointed.—Mr A. K. Jackson, of Eyrewell, has been appointed caretaker of the Springston Domain.