Garden Notes DOUBTS AND QUERIES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 190, 8 May 1943, Page 6

Garden Notes DOUBTS AND QUERIES

Answers To Gardeners’ Problems (By “The Hoe.”) Several inquiries of general interest to gardeners were received m The Hoes mail this week, and space is devoted to them instead ,of the usual notes. Phosphates: E.S. (Palmerston >.) asks for names of' .phosphatic fertilizers, other than superphosphate.—-Bonedust is a good source of phosphates, but somewhat blo.v in action; bonemeal or ibonenour aic fairly quick acting. Basic slag is also a good source. . Pish manures and guanos are also important sources. Lesser quantities are found in organic manures. Chinese Gooseberry: bmall I'iuits (Otaki) plans to grow a Chinese gooseberry, and asks for hints. —Ihc first point to bear in mind is that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. It is therefore necessary to buy a correctly-sexed pair, or a single vine on which both sexes have been grafted. Requires sunny situation, well-drained loam, rich in organic matter. Composted matter gives excellent results. Red Gum: “Home Planner (.Masterton) wtints to plant a red gum, and asks for the variety.—Probably the only flowering gum (apart from white) that is hardy in your district is Eucalyptus Campbell!, which is available in various shades of pink. It is quick growing, and blooms when quite young, but is variable. If raised from -seed, it often produces ’white or cream flowers, and it is therefore wise to get a plant that has 'been propagated vegetatively, i.e., from cutting or layer. . Asparagus: “X.” of Eastbourne writes that he can get ample supplies of seaweed, and wants to know if it will enable linn to grow asparagus.-—Yes, decomposed mixed seaweeds give excellent results, especially if composted with vegetable or garden wastes. Last year, a Raumati resident prepared a seaweed compost and raised asparagus 18 inches tall —every inch soft and edible. Waratah: Mrs. J.B. (Lower Hutt) bought a N.S.W. waratah three years ago, Iftit \t died. She has ordered, another, and seeks advice on planting.; —The N.S.W. waratah requires a soil rich in river silt, but will not tolerate artificial fertilizers. Its rate of growth .can be speeded up if leal'mould is added to the soil. Don’t give it lime, or synthetic fertilizers in any form. Roses with Vitamins: Miss P. (Lower Hutt) asks for the names of roses that are valuable for the vitamins contained in their fruits (hips).—lt is the rose species that develop big and pleasing fruits. Those procurable in New Zealand include Rosa Caudata, It. Hugonis, It. Pomifera, It. Rugosa, and R. Microphvlla. Spider Chrysanthemum: Mrs. B.L. (Wellington) writes, “I saw a queer chrysanthemum in a shop window, but the attendant didn’t its name. I would like to get it; it was pink with long, spidery leaves, very graceful.”—lt was Chrysanthemum Hiawatha, and is one of a number of Spider Chrysanthemums. Other varieties (not so popular just now, on account of their names, no doubt) are Bronze Tokio and Pride of Tokio. Berries For Identification: A Marton reader has forwarded a spray of pink berries for identification. —The berries are from the climbing plant Celastrus Scandens. It is quite hardy in your district, but to get berries you will need a pair—a male and female.