Gardeners’ queries

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 14

Gardeners’ queries

Could you please identify the problem on the underside of this gerbera leaf and recommend a cure. I have been spraying with maldison for aphids and spittle bug, but it seems to have no affect on this problem. B.M. (Chch). The, failure to achieve results- with the spray used is because the problem is a disease, and not pest-induced. White rust of gerberas can be quite debilitating in its effect on the plant and because severe infection is hot easy to control it is sometimes • recommended that such plants be pulled up and burned; alternatively, stripping of leaves followed by regular spraying of

the new' growth with maneb, zineb, or triforine. Leaf miner were also evident on the leaves, and again we. are dealing with a problem which is not so easily controlled. Acephate, or D.D.T., should be applied. Could you please identify the enclosed flower? Could you explain why a very large, self-sown pear tree, now about seven years old, never has more than one or two bunches of flowers, and last year had its first crop — two fruit. It is a seedling from the next section. We are interested to see if my trefe- will ever come to anything following the removal of this very old tree. Can

anything be done to encourage flowering? A.G. (Chch). . The flower is that of Scilla peruviana, the specific name of which is a total misnomer , as is the common one of Cuban lily, the plant being of Mediterranean origin, and not South American. It is surprising that it is apparently so little grown, judging by the few occasions that I have come across it. It develops a very big bulb and produces a massed raceme of beautiful blue flowers. Fruit trees raised from seed take many years before ‘ they come into full bearing, and those which rely on cross pollination rarely come true to type. On rare occasions a seed-

ling of this nature may turn out to be an exceptionally good new variety, but usually it is inferior to the parent. However, it is worth persevering for you can never be sure of your luck until the fruit has been tried. . Pears require cross pollination, as has already been mentioned. As the neighbouring tree has been removed it would pay to graft a suitable variety onto the seedling next spring, but first you must know , what the parent tree was so as to be able to select an appropriate pollen donor. Gardeners’ queries should be addressed to Mr Mike Lusty, 32 Broekworth Place, Christchurch