CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1937, Page 26

CORRESPONDENCE

"Novice."—Poliutukawas are usually propagated . from seeds, but may also be grown from cuttings, of short side branches, of terminal shoots accord-' ing to Dr. Cockayne's book on the cultivation of New Zealand plants. If cuttings will strike there should not be any difficulty in rooting layers,' although I cannot speak from experience. I think you will find it extremely difficult, however, to succeed as' you propose, as the plant being suspended in a pot it will require daily attention to prevent the soil drying out. As it will probably take at least a year to root you are going to have quite a job, especially as it is not even in your own garden. Cuttings may be taken either in' the autumn or early spring. The same would apply to layers. DAPHNE DYING. C.M.McG.—I am afraid nothing can be done for the daphne. Once the foliage starts to shrivel the plant is dead at the root. These shrubs are rather prone to this trouble and there seems to be no explanation. I think you will find that the main stem has rotted or started to rot at ground level, and suddenly starting to die seems to indicate collar-rot. '. -

Green and black tea come from the same plant, the difference in the two being due to the method of preparing the leaves. The green tea is not allowed to ferment to any great extent and therefore retains the more pungent flavour of the tea. In preparing the black tea the fresh leaves ar« placed under cover on bamboo, canvas, or wire-netting trays and left there a day or two to wilt before being- crushed through the rolling machines; then they are spread out on tables to ferment. Fermentation drives off part of the tannin and gives a softer flavour.