Gardeners’ queries

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 11

Gardeners’ queries

Could you please identify this tree, the flowers and leaves of which are enclosed; it is about 10ft high. Later in the season it has orange coloured seed pods shaped like a lantern. J.W. (Cheh).

Plant specimens are from Koelreuteria panicuiata which lias been given such names as “Goldenrain-tree,” “Pride of India” and “China-tree.” Of Chinese origin, this most attractive tree will grow to at least eight metres.

We have a problem with gooseberries at present although it may not be the time to do anything much to them. The trouble is that they are making so much growth that it js almost impossible to pick much fruit from them without .getting scratched to bits. The bushes are about six years old. We always prune them in the winter short-

cuing everything back — should we be doing this now? "Scratched” (Ashburton). Gooseberries bear on growth which is from one to four years old although the best fruit is usually to be found on the younger wood. Heavy, indescriminate cutting back is likely to induce a lot of growth which will make picking difficult, as you have found, and also tend to reduce the yield. Pruning should therefore consist of some form of renewal and general thinning of overcrowded branches. This system ensures a continuous supply of new growth of moderate proportions and helps to keep the Bushes more open. Each bush should be grown on a leg or short trunk and any shoots which emanate from this region should be eliminated. Winter is the time when it is easiest to prune gooseberry bushes but unwanted growth can always be cut out or rubbed off at any time.