July is time for pruning

Press, 8 July 1983, Page 8

July is time for pruning

GARDENING

by

M.Lusty

A sharp well set saw, good secateurs, sharp knife, wound sealant, reliable steps, oil can, sharpening device and sound technique are the requirements at pruning time.

Know your subject; retain natural appearance as much as possible; remove dead, diseased or overcrowding growths first of all; make clean cuts; do not leave stubs; and dress all wounds of 15mm and over immediately. Remove prunings promptly. Ornamental

Roses. Unless the situation is in an area subject to heavy frosts these can be fully pruned any time from now onwards. Treat bush and standard alike; aim for well spaced, outward growing young shoots emanating from as close to source as possible, and leave a minimum of old wood. Discard all sickly plants in the bed. Ramblers should have all flowered canes removed completely at ground level. Do not force remaining shoots into place until the rise of sap as they are liable to damage or likely to snap off. Agapanthus can be divided and replanted now if the clump has become too large and vigour declined. They generally require

little attention, and often can be left undisturbed for many years. Hemerocallis similarly usually requires infrequent lifting, dividing and replanting, which can also be done now. These plants resent lime but benefit from a dressing of blood and bone.

Polyanthus will benefit from a boost of liquid feeding or blood and bone as they are gross feeders.

Lawns should not be allowed to develop rank growth nor should they be mown when wet or with frost on. Keep maintenance up to date and clean the machine immediately after use. Do not keep in a damp location which is usually the forerunner of subsequent ignition troubles in winter time.

Take special care with newly sown lawns and avoid leaving any clippings on them. Now is a good time to get on to straightening those edges and placing a slight batter on them, but do not form too large an angle with the bed as this detracts from its appearance.

Glasshouse, potted bulbs should be sparingly watered until appearance of flower buds; use lukewarm water.

Seed sowing of cyclamen, gloxinias, strepto-

carpus and tuberous begonias can be done now. Perpetual carnations can be increased from unflowered, firm mid section shoots; make each cutting about 10cm in length and dip the basal end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting. Maintain adequate ventilation, but at the same time do not unwittingly lose heat. Fruit: Varying fruiting habits necessitate knowledge of which type of wood carries fruit buds before commencing to prune. Have a systematic approach, inspect each subject first and treat individually according to development and requirements. Look to the years ahead as well as the’ immediate future when pursuing this task. A lime sulphur wash provides an excellent all purpose spray for all deci-

duous subjects on completion of pruning. Alternatively, use Bordeaux mixture or copper oxychloride, plus winter oil. A good cover is most desirable. Propagating material for cuttings or grafting should be collected now from firm, well developed healthy known varieties for immediate or subsequent use. Bundle and label each lot at once to avoid confusion later on. Vegetables Weed control can become a major chore during the winter season: do not neglect it. Sprouting broccoli should be regularly harvested, cutting the top 20cm of developing flower stem while the latter are still in the tight bud stage. The growth should be removed just above a leaf junction, using a sharp knife. Borecole or Curly Kale (prostrate form) is picked by removing the complete lowest leaves from the plant, a process which will maintain a steady supply of leaves for months.

Rhubarb should be lifted, divided and replanted now. Retain one good bud per set which should have a good piece of root attached. Plant

with the crown just below soil level. Asparagus can also be planted now. Roots should be spread out on a mound set in a 15 to 20cm deep hole depending on whether the soil is heavy or light. Make sure all perennial weeds have been removed before planting either asparagus or rhubarb — it is not worth going to expense and trouble of planting them otherwise. Under the prevailing conditions seed sowing should be avoided outdoors unless the ground is very favourably situated. Even then, little may be gained just now. Becuse of the very saturated nature of the ground no attempt at any form of cultivation or planting should be made until the soil has dried off a good bit. New purchases will not suffer in the slightest if left in their original containers, or if heeled in, even if left for several weeks, until conditions are suitable for permanent planting.