Gardeners’ queries

Press, 27 July 1984, Page 14

Gardeners’ queries

Our new banana passion fruit is growing strong and healthy, climbing well and had hundreds of flowers which all fell off; it is in its first year. A black passion fruit nearby is fruiting, but has chew marks on its stems and shot holes in its leaves. Could your recommend what to do in each case? R. W. (Hokitika). Although passion fruit will begin to bear from an early age, it is better to get the plant established in the first year or two than to be concerned with cropping. While it is not unusual for a young plant to flower but not set much or any fruit, there could be other contributory reasons, such as exposure to excessive wind. The damage noted on the other vine could be caused by insects which may - be controlled by applying acephate. We had a good crop of

apples from the Cox in our garden, enough to give us plenty to keep for later. However, many of those which we are using now have deep spots on them, and are not at all tasty, as you can discover from the enclosed sample. This trouble has developed after picking, as we made sure that only sound fruit was kept. Could you please advise on the problem, and how to prevent it happening again? S.M. (Chch). The apples have been affected by bitter pit, a physiological problem which frequently becomes more evident in susceptible varieties during storage. An association of factors including pruning procedure, nutrient availability and uptake as well as- varietal susceptibility and prevailing weather are conducive to the presence of bitter pit. The application of calcium nitrate

at three to four weekly intervals from fruit set is recommended. Could you please tell me the best way to store yams? J. J. (Chch). Providing the yams are unblemished they will keep for a considerable time simply bagged up and stored in a cool dry place, but I am not aware of any specialised form of keeping them. It is not necessary to dig the crop until well after frost has blackened the top growth — the low temperatures improve flavour. Gardeners’ queries should be sent directly to Mr M. Lusty, 56 Wayside Avenue, Christchurch 5. Samples should be separately wrapped in a plastic bag with air holes. Provide representative, good-sized samples, and your name and address. A nom-de-plume may bemused for publication.