ASTERS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 20

ASTERS

And Collar Rot From now on until the end of the season unprotected asters are in great danger of attack by collar rot, a disease which works with distressing suddenness. You may go round your garden some evening and take justifiable pride in the vigorous, promising appearance of your asters. Next morning collar rot may have seized some of the best plants, wilting them beyond hope of recovery. This disease is more prevalent in ha'dly-drained soils and in gardens .where it has occurred before. At the same time It is always breaking out In unexpected places; therefore, even if you are lucky enough never to have seen collar rot, you will be wise to protect your asters against possible visitation. Having had to deal with notoriously susceptible soils, we have tried many methods of control, finally finding complete immunity in watering with chesthunt compound. You make this by mixing 11 parts of carbonate of ammonia and two parts of powdered bluestone or sulphate of copper. Having mixed thoroughly, dissolve loz. in a quart of boiling water, and make up to two gallons with cold water. Stir well, and give each aster one pint of the solution fortnightly from now until the en'd of the season.