Gardener’s queries

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 12

Gardener’s queries

GARDENING

by

Mike Lusty

Having just read “The Aunt Daisy Cookbook,” I thought I would quote what I read about nuts. “If hard to crack, heat them first in a warm oven for a few minutes. They should then crack easily.” It may help the recent inquirer. We grow tomatoes in black polythene bags on top of pea straw. The tomato mixture is mainly sheep manure, sand and pine needles. However the fruit had green core which we haven’t had in other years. Interestingly, as the growing season progressed less water was given and the tomatoes did not have the green core in them. Do you think we were at fault with our watering? J.L. (Ashburton).

When growing plants in mediums other than soil, and this applies especially to tomatoes, care and experimentation with fertilisers and water Is necessary in order to avoid various problems arising. Records should always be kept to enable adequate checks and adjustments to be made. With regard to hardcore (also know as green back) this condition is associated with high fruit temperatures and bright sunlight, and is generally less common

with more recent cultivars. Incidence of this disorder can generally be minimised by adequate ventilation and by providing shading on the glasshouse through the height of summer. Avoid excessive deleafing, which may overexpose the fruit to direct sunlight, and maintain an adequate * level of potassium. These recommendations apply even when a "green-back-free” cultivar is grown.

Recently I discovered a strongly growing sucker from the mother plant of our twenty year old lemon tree. If I sever this sucker and replant it would it bear fruit, and when would be the best time to do this? The main tree has no problems apart from black soot deposits on

fruit and leaves. “Just Wondering” (Chch). The sooty mould present on the lemon tree is most likely due to the presence of scale insects. Allowed to remain unchecked these pests can cause considerable debility in the host. The application of an all seasons or summer spraying oil is advisable and should be repeated within four weeks time; do not apply during very warm sunny weather. The sucker from the rootstock could possibly be removed with a section of root, to be grown on elsewhere; otherwise it should be raised as a cutting. Fruit should be produced within a few years but it is quite possible that it will be inedible, depending on what stock was originally used for the lemon.

Please could you explain the appearance of this sad looking rhododendron leaf. It is from a young plant in a sunny position against a wall. It has been well watered and nourished. GJI. (Chch).

The symptoms displayed by this rhododendron are typical when these plants are planted in positions which do not suit them. Extra heat is generated by the proximity of the wall and being in a sunny position probably means that the soil dries out more rapidly as well, despite the watering. It is also possible that the plant has a tightly packed, dry root ball which would not help matters, especially as these plants are shallow rooted. It would be advisable to relocate the plant in a less exposed site.

Gardeners’ Queries should be sent directly to Mr Mike Lusty, M Wayside Avenue, Christchurch 5. Samples should be separately wrapped in a plastic bag with air holes. Provide representative, good-sized samMes, and you name and addtO A nom-d-plumecan be for puHicatien.