Gardeners’ queries

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 11

Gardeners ’ queries

How can I keep the birds from my primroses and polyanthus? I have a wonderful display of both. They have been covered with plastic netting until in full flower. Smce ■ removed the netting, however, the birds are having a feast. They lust tear the flowers off the primroses and and leave them; but with the polyanthus, they dig into the centre of the flower, obviously in search of the sap.— C.T. (Christchurch). This problem seems to be more acute m some years than in others, and it also tends to be localised, rather like the trouble experienced from birds on other plants such as blackcurrants and the unopened buds of peaches. Once birds have made a “discovery” of this nature thev do not usually give up their foraging unless fully deterred. Generally, this has proved difficult unless netting or a similar protection is .applied. Jotton has its uses but it is imited in its effectiveness, like levices which rattle or glitter iepending on prevailing veather. A preparation based

on thiram and sold as thin (pray is used as a repellant igainst opossum and hare at ;acks on fruit trees and some times works effectively against ci rds. There is no real solution to the problem as far as I am aware. Please can you give me the name of this beautiful flower. I know it is a protea, but which one, please? I would like to obtain a plant. Do you think it mav be obtainable in Christchurch?—E.W. (Christchurch). The bloom you admire is a deucodendron but I cannot identify the species. Could you please say whether sawdust and agricultural salt should be mixed wet and put on the asparagus bed now. If so, how much do you advise and is it right to put it on every year?—"Wondering" (Christchurch). Well-rotted sawdust from an uncontaminated source -(not from an.v treated timber) could be of some benefit If spread to a depth of 3cm over the asparagus bed. It would have some eventual organic value, assist in the suppression of some weeds and help to conserve moisture. It is. however, essential to apply it only after the soil has been well moistened and it should he made in advance of emergence of the first spears. This is not a genera] practice, and it is not done on a commercial basis. The use of salt for asparagus Is based on false. supposition, and although its basis is not known, it could have been used partly as a weedkiller in the days before pre and post-emergent herbicides. Asparagus is tolerant of salt but it can prove detrimental in the long run because of the affinity it has for alkaline soils. Herewith, some leaves off one of our roses which is now in its fourth year. It was a year or two apo that it first started showing these yellow lines all over and no sprays that we have out on seem to make It any better. What is it and how is it removed? With what spray?—E.M. (Nelson). The symptoms displayed by your rose leaves are those of rose mosaic virus. This ‘ is a disease which takes some time to show up and can be spread in the process of propagation.

There is no danger of reinfecinfested rose and it is generally jest to dig it up and destroy it. There is no donger of reinfection if another rose is planted in the same location. Could you please identify this weed for me. Is it poisonous, and how does if spread? —"Marea" (Ellesmere). Your plant belongs to the inion family. It is an Allium •riquetrum. or three-cornered ’arlic, and the common name ■irobablv alludes to the fluted lower stem. It is usually found •n wet places. Spread would be from bulbs if disturbed and also from seed. It is not poisonous. Could you please tell me if the enclosed bulb specimen has become colourless due to weedkiller or a virus. The bulbs were planted around a grave and I note that bulbs on other graves are in a similar- condition. There is a geneneral appearance that weedkiller has been used around atl the graves.—N.F. (Christchurch).

Although virus infection can be ruled out. the possibility of either injury from the use of a herbicide or infection from some other disease is evident. However, for a proper diagnosis, several similarly affected bulbs would have to be examined.