Garden queries

Press, 2 October 1987, Page 14

Garden queries

GARDENING

by

Mike Lusty

Enclosed is a small piece from a gum tree some of the leaves of which had a sudden change of colour. Your opinion on this would be appreciated. L.P. (Chch). Unfortunately the leaves arrived in too desiccated a condition to-be able to pass any comment on them. It is not unusual for a few leaves from most Eucalypt species to wither and drop off, this being a natural process. However, it was also not stated just how extensive .is the possible problem. It is always helpful to provide as much relative information as possible when seeking advice. Could you tell me the name of the enclosed creeper which is growing on

my fence — could it be come sort of clematis? L.R. (Sumner). The climbing plant is Akebia quinata, a very strong growing twining plant, the flowers of which have a delightful fragrance. The genus belongs to the same family as the Herberts, and is unrelated to Clematis.

Could you please name the enclosed weeds, and advise me how to treat them? One has become very troublesome in the flower garden and the other is quickly taking over the entire lawn. NJ. (Akaroa).

Weed (A) is sheep’s sorrel,, a low-growing, spreading plant which can sometimes become a nuisance rather than a problem, especially on lighter land. Under the circumstances mentioned in the query removal by hand is considered the best method of getting rid of it. Weed (B) is once again that all-prevail-ing enemy of the good lawn, hydrocotyle. At present the most effective control would be the combination of bromoynil, ioxoynil, and MCPA. As with one or two other mixtures used in the control of this weed, this preparation is only available in commercial quantities. The chemicals which are specially available for home garden use, such as 2,4-D plus dicamba, generally only give temporary control and must be re-applied several times to achieve any measure of success.

Would you please advise me whether the black passion fruit vine requires pruning, and if so how this should be done? Also, what sprays should be used on it? “Passion Lover” (Stoke).

Passion vines produce their fruit only on current season’s growth. The longer that a vine is left unpruned the more it develops into a tangled mass of predominantly unfruitful growth, with young, productive laterals further and further removed from the body of the plant. Ideally, the passion vine should be trained with a number of leaders radiating out from either side of the plant. They should be well spaced out, and have their laterals spured back annually to two buds. This pruning should be delayed until the danger of heavy frosts is over in the spring time. Once the vine has become established there

should be a continuous, but gradual, replacement of the leaders by new ones. Disease control can be maintained by applying copper-based sprays several times between autumn and late spring. Zineb or mancozeb should be used at other times, as copper sprays can have a growthinhibiting effect on passion vines. Appropriate insecticides should be applied as and when required.

Could you tell me where I could buy the pink Ceanothus “Marie Simon”? Nobody seems to know it from the pictures in garden books. Also, could you give me the name of a well illustrated book on camellias, and one on rhododendrons? M.M. (Coalgate). Many plants are readily obtainable for a while and then become difficult to get, sometimes for obscure reasons which make it necessary to hunt around. It would pay to give nurseries iin your region a ring, and if they have not got the plant they may either obtain it for you or else advise where it might be possible to get it. Suggested illustrated publications on camellias and rhododendrons include “The Colour Dictionary of Camellias,” by S. Macoboy, Landsdowne Press; “Rhododendrons and Azleas for Your Garden,” by C. Fairweather, Floraprint; “The Camellia Story,” by T. Durrant; and the Sunset books on “Camellias,” and "Rhododendrons” and "Azaleas.

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 for publication.