Gardeners’ queries

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32678, 6 August 1971, Page 11

Gardeners’ queries

We have two lemon, trees growing in ' close ’proximity to each other. They are inclined to drop their fruit and shed leaves, more or less at the same ‘time. They both look healthy and always have a mass of blossom. Could you advise how best to overcome this problem.— “Citrus” (Blenheim). It is quite possible that root damage could be the cause of both, leaf and fruit fall. This could be caused by careless hoeing round these none-too-deep-rooting plants; poor. drainage could also be a contributory factor. Other points which could have a bearing on a prolific flowering citrus tree which either fails to fruit or drops its fruit is frost damage and insufficient nutrient. It may be possible to discover the cause by a process of elimination based on the above points. Could you give: me some advice on best treatment tor a large lawn. Over the years I have tried to maintain ft to good condition but last year I fought a losing battle with moss. I feel that relaying would be the best answer as it is so matted. Would it be an easy way of doing this by ourselves with the help of a cultivator. I also have a problem with the roots of an Acer negundb invading the rose border. All the 1 fertiliser applied to the : roses seems to be used by ; the acer to produce surface roots. “Better Lawn” (Christchurch). ; Thanks for your comments it is the objective to provide useful information on this page egch Week. Moss it itself can form m attractive lawn though it is hard to convince people of this. But a severe infestation of moss can also be hard to eradicate It. must be completely eliminated if a newly-sown lair is to succeed'and cultivatior ■ alone is not* -the .answer ‘ Spray with penta ' chlorophenatogfiip? *>h eprq ' spring and reWdit if neces ' sary. Then tWfe bff all thi dead moss before, cultivating ’ and resowing. This is impor tant aS a mixture-of mo-ss am , soil can be viry- difficult tc i handle Undei . planting roses very close tc - big trees is not in the bes . interest’s nF former un

less the soil is very fertile ■ and it is suggested that you , move them elsewhere. I wish to grow a small- 1 leaved variegated ivy as a ground cover under a row of azaleas (indica and kur- ' ume) which are in a sunny position. Would the ivy be suitable or would it have the opposite affect from that which I am hoping to t achieve, by drying the soil e under the shrubs.—D.S. t (Hororata). ? This problem I can answer 11 without hesitation: “don’t try ? it.” I have just been Strugs' gling to eradicate this very •j plant from just such a situa- “ tion. Ground covers have £ their uses and with careful " selection they can be very s effective for various purposes. “ Many are very rampant and y will smother low-growing e plants in close proximity to i- them; others climb and sucke er, to the detriment of more desirable subjects. A mulch may be the best means of keeping the soil from drying put beneath your azaleas. Could you give a list, of trees and shrubs suitable to grow in Cobden on the West Coast where the saying is you can’t grow anything. The ground is-stony and they get a bit of salt spray. Would pampas grass grow there?—A.C. (Temuka). It should be possible to ■ grow pampas grass, toe-toe, 1 flaxes , and many other nat- ■ ives such as hebes, ratas or olearias, cabbage trees, cop- ; rosmas, riniu, etc. Eucalypts, bottle brushes and escallonias are other plants which should s , grow there. le I have quite a quantity is of dry pine needles but n have been told not to use « „ them in my garden. Hothis ' ever, I feel there could be a some use for them and is would like to know your , e. opinion.—“ Keen Gardener” i- (Christchurch). ® There is bias against the in use of pine needles but from r - general experience this seems ill-founded. Applied! y by itself it has not been Sats’ isfactory in the vegetable garle Sen but is suitable under trees and shrubs and can be r- applied to the compost heap, id The ground should be moist so before application of the sr ‘needles which should be »given a sprinkling of blood st and bone after they have nr- been put rtnwn.