Gardeners’ queries

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 8

Gardeners’ queries

Please fine enclosed infected leaves from a Delicious apple tree, and also one of my tomato plants most of which are similarly infected. Could you advise of the problems and what to do about them. C.R. (Chch). The presence of mites, powdery mildew, and black spot were evident on the apple leaf samples. An acaricide, such as tetradifon or dicofol, should be applied for control of the mites, and a fungicide, such as benomyl or triforine, should be used for control of the diseases. The tomato plant appears to be

suffering from tomato canker, a bacterial infection, for which there is no cure or control at this stage. All infected plants should be carefully removed and burnt. Plants showing only mild symptons may benefit from the application of a weak, copper-based spray. Could you please identify the disease which seems to be taking over some of my carnation plants? Also, is it possible to obtain a garden spray for bugs and other things that is safe to spray around the garden where you have children playings I

realise it would not be as long-term as the commercial sprays. Maybe you could ask your readers for information. “5.0.5.” (Chch). The fungal infection rust is responsible for the disfiguration of camaUon foliage. This disease is common to these plants and can be controlled by the old method of combining lime sulphur with colloi-

dal sulphur, or. alternating with triforine and chlorothanil. Rotenone and pyrethrum in liquid and powder formulations are two organic insecticides which, although of very short residual life, are much safer than many of the other chemical products in general use. It is also possible to make up ones own formulations from such plants

as rhubarb, stinging nettles, garlic, and horse radish. 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 can be used for publication.