Gardener’s queries

Press, 10 April 1987, Page 18

Gardener’s queries

GARDENING

by

Mike Lusty

Could you please advise me about how I can use dried blood on the garden as I have obtained a good supply, but I am apprehensive about using it? Can it be used on lawn clippings which are returned directly to the garden as mulch and/ or as a liquid fertiliser? “May” (Chch).

Dried blood is the most rapidly available source of nitrogen from a range of available organic manures. It contains nitrogen equal to about 12 per cent ammonia in a readily available form, as well as small amount of other nutrients which occur in blood. It can be used like any other fertiliser as a means of adding nitrogen to the soil, but its cost generally precludes liberal application. It could be used as a liquid fertiliser.

Can you tell me why the enclosed anemone corms have failed to grow? Less than half of those planted early in February have survived. I always seem to have this bad luck with them. E.M. (Amberley).

These anemones have failed to develop because the tubers have decayed. Good drainage is most important for these plants, which also respond well to good soil. Planting depth should be 50 millimetres, and care should be taken to place the roots down. Rotation is also recommended.

I would be most grateful if you could explain what is causing the blemishes on my tomatoes this year. Only the odd tomato on each plant is affected. The plants have been grown for several years now from my own seed. P.B. (Murchison). The dark, brownish-black lesions which have developed from one side of the calyx of the enclosed tomatoes causing rot to set in has been caused by the disease commonly called target spot This form of blight can render fruit useless unless it is controlled. This can be done by using such fungicides as mancozeb and metiram. This disease is not seed-borne.

One of my grape vines has been a complete disaster, with nothing at all to pick this year. The bunches formed and then, when still small, they unaccountably split and just wasted away. An indication of what is left is enclosed together with some leaves. Is there an answer to this problem? “Disappointed” (Chch). The main trouble appears to have been caused by the persistence of powdery mildew which can cause splitting of fruit and black mottling of the vines. Leaves may develop an unhealthy looking pallor with a dark, filmy coating predominantly on the upper surface. Although sulphur sprays and dusts are still one of the most effective means of dealing with this fungal infection, particularly during the dormant and bud movement period, chlorothalonil could be used at other times. Repeated treatment will be necessary when conditions are favourable to the disease, and a thorough clean-up spray should not be overlooked to reduce carryover on the buds. Erineum vine mite was also very evident on the leaves. This pest can sometimes cause considerable debility to grape vines. Lime sulphur will give control early on, but a miticide should be used as a follow-up during the rest of the year.

This is the fruit from my nectarine tree this year — most of it something like those enclosed. The fruit has these sort of pits in it just like it has been pecked. Some have just the odd pit, but others have a pockn&rked face almost all one

side. There is some very good fruit as well. What has caused this and is there anything which should be done about it? “Upset” (Chch). The lesions on these nectarines have been caused by bacterial spot, a bacterium which favours moist conditions. The disease can also infect leaves and branches, over-wintering in cankers on the latter. Best results for controlling the infectio hav

,ontru.... ,ie infection ave been achieved by the application of copper-based sprays at bud movement, green tip, and just before leaf fall.

Gardeners* Queries should be sent directly to Mr Mike Lusty, 58 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 tor publication.