Gardeners’ queries

Press, 22 December 1978, Page 8

Gardeners’ queries

Everything in rhe garden is rosy except for the last of my tomato plants which is going the same wav as five others In various locations in the garden. They die right off but. when pulled out, I find that the root system seems healthy. Please can yov help? My typist says it's because I smoke mv pipe near them and they are allergic to nicotine. — W.M. (Sumneri Spotted wilt has Infected v.our tomato plants. This is a virus infection, spread by onion thrips in New Zealand. Un-

fortunately, there is not a cure for infected plants and it would be preferable to remove and destroy them. There is still time to put more plants in. These should be sprayed at regular intervals with maldison. Spotted wilt has a wide host range including many weeds and ornamental plants such as dahlias and chrysanthemums. Your typist is correct in her recommendation not to smoke while handling tomato- plants as some viruses, such as tobacco mosaic, can be trans-

feired to them after tobacco has been touched. My Mexican orange blossom Is looking as though it will die. The branches seem to be shedding their leaves and they don't look very healthy themselves. I enclose some twigs which seem to have black blisters on them. Could you advise please? — R.R. (Chch) The trouble here is caused bv scale insects — the black blisters to .which you refer. Spray with summer oil or uni-

versal oil making sure to cover the inner regions of the bush thoroughly. Repeat In two to three weeks time. Do not apply spray-on very sunny, hot days. The'bush should be cut back to induce fresh, growth. Could you please tell me the ♦rouble with these leek plants? This problem has been occurring for the last five to six years. It manifests Itself about seven to eight weeks after sowing the seed. Have spraved with captan and zineb Only

blood and bone and lime have been added to the soil. — Inquirer (Ashburton). There Is strong suspicion that a combination of thrips damage and attack by mildew is responsible for the wilting of your leek plants. The wilting or withering of plants under stress is further induced in warm, humid weather. Zineb should have given you control Of mildew. A combine, tion of maldison and zineb is recommended.