Gardeners’ queries

Press, 28 March 1980, Page 10

Gardeners’ queries

Please find enclosed some samples from our apple crop, picked lust recently. These spots on them seemed to appear almost over-night, and it looks as though many of them have got it or are going that way. Is it something We didn't or should now do to (1) stop it going further (?) prevent it from happening again, assuming that it will occur again? — "Bewildered" (Chch). The spotting on your Cox’s Orange apples is due to the presence of bitter pit. Bitter pit is a physiological problem brought on predominantly by an insufficient calcium up-takc by the tree, which is perhaps ah over simplification of the matter. The current method of control is to apply calcium nitrate to the fruit from- petal fall onwards at two to three weekly intervals until harvest. Large’ fruit is generally more susceptible than smaller ones and symptoms can show up after picking and in storage. Enclosed please find a bit of a rose. Could you please tell me: (a) Is is a climber? (b) Have you its name please? I want to move it to another position. How do I go about it? It has finished flowering. — N.B. (R.D. Ashburton).

At a guess, J would say the lose is Cecile Brunner, and as such could be regarded as a climber, o r perhaps more appropriately as a shrub rose. It would be’advisable to wrench the plant now and then to transplant it in the late winter or early spring. When wrenching, ’ endeavour to retain as much of the root system as possible. Coui -dyou please tell me what is affecting my fuchsias? It was first noticed a few weeks ago when a two-year-old plant looked sickly, following which some branches withered and then died. It has since spread to a really old plant which has flowered well. I've been cutting out small pieces as they wilt, but it is spreading. Could you please tell me how to save it? — J.E. (Chch). It has unfortunately been not possible to ascertain just what is causing the withering. There is no evidence of any pathogen and it is unlike anything which has been seen on this species of plant. It is just possible that, the problem has emanated from the roots as a spreading infection from, this region. A check on the root system mav therefore be worth-while. If they appear watery and mushy

looking, you have the answer. Healthy roots are firm and bright in appearance. We have inherited this pot plant, a sample of which is included with this note. Could you please provide its name and what form of attention does it need? — I.H. (Chch). The plant which you have growing is known as Pqrtulacaria afra. South African origin, it should be hardy enough to grow on a sheltered veranda; does not require much attention and will put up with fairly dry conditions; grows into a small tree or bush in its native habitat; has been seen offered for sale by name df “Jade Plant.” Please find enclosed samples of bean and tomato plants. 1 would like to know what is ailing them. Enclosed also a sample of peers which I wrote to you about earlier. They are always hard. — T.J. (Walpara). The beans are being eaten by looper caterpillar which is well known for its voracious appetite. A thorough spraying with carbarvl will effectively deal with this pest. The use of the recommended insecticide will enable harvesting to continue one dav following its application. It has not been

possible to determine the cause ut trouble in your tomato plant which displayed a most peculiar discolouration. It is preferable to include several samples for diagnosis and these should be as fresh as possible and put in a polythene bag for sending in. All the pears which you forwarded were found to be completely free from hard centres and apart from codling moth and small size, they seemed alright. I would like some advice regarding the putting of seaweed on the garden. It is easy to acquire as we live by the sea. Some people suggest leaving it on top of the ground and others say dig it in, while still others put it in a drum, soak it and then water with the resulting liquid. Our soil is very shingly. Is seaweed very beneficial? — "Sea Shore" (Kaikoura). The use of seaweed as compost is fullv endorsed. It can be used in several ways, such as you have mentioned, but as it takes a little time to rot clown, it is perhaps best composted first. Ideally, the seaweed should be put down in layers of about 300 mm depth and interspersed with other material.