Damping Off

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1942, Page 7

Damping Off

This very distressing disease often mows down our seedlings in the seed boxes over-night. The appearanec is as though the seedlings have been pinched at the soil level. The disease is due to an organism, whose activities are encouraged by bad ventilation and over-watering. Once the disease creeps in, it may be very difficult to deal with. Following are some of the remedies that have been suggested.— I.—Watering the seedlings with a dilute solution of Condy's crystals. Dissolve some of the crystals in water, stirring to aid solution. Decant off some of the solution for use, keeping the rest as a stock solution. Dilute with water to a faint pink or purplish colour. Water with this solution at least twice a week.

2. —The infected soil might be sterilised by steaming or by baking, but this measure is applicable only for small areas. 3. —By . sterilisation with a 2 per cent solution of formaldetyde (one gallon of commercial formaldetyde in 45 gallons of water). This will completely rid the soil of disease organisms. Sowing or planting should not be done in this prepared soil until the odour of formalin has completely gone. 4. —By watering the plants with Cheshunt compound. This compound consists of powdered bluestone, 20z.. intimately mixed with lloz. of ammonium carbonate, and kept for a full day before using. One ounce of the mixture is dissolved in 2 gallons of water. The solution may be watered on growing plants without any fear of injuring them. Apart from destroying the disease organisms, the compound has a fertilising effect on account of the available - nitrogen it contains.

Lastly, always see that the drainage in the seed boxes is right. A little clean sand will always improve the drainage. Also see that the seedlings get their share of fresh air and sunlight. SOWING SEED

Wien sowing seed in boxes, it is important that the soil should be finely sifted and of the right texture. A wellmanured soil is not necessary. Any good garden soil, with a little sand added will do. Within reasonable limits, the smaller the box the better, as these are more easily handled, and hundreds of seedlings can be obtained in a small area. Three inches depth of soil is enough for most seedlings. If in doubt, sow on the shallow side rather than too deep. Soak the soil before sowing the seed, and stand the box aside until the contents reach soil temperature. Very small seed should be sprinkled on the surface, and a little very light soil sifted over them. PESTS' A common pest is the leaf-hopper, a sucking insect capable of much damage. It is no stranger to the passion vine, but comes into our gardens to attack our hydrangeas, dahlias and other plants. It belongs to the cicada family. It is not easy to eliminate. Kerosene emulsion or Black Leaf 40 are useful. Apply at night when the insects are more sluggish in their movements than in the daytime. The grubs of the Grass Grub Beetle are even now making their presence felt, though they are more deadly later on. Like the Greasy CutworVn, this pest is subterranean and thus difficult to eradicate. Arsenate of lead or arsenic pentoxide are recommended. The grub is very common under old lawns, where it causes a tremendous amount of damage. But it does not confine its attention to grass roots. It attacks many unrelated plants. ROUTINE Less worrying is the routine work of the garden, such as cutting away dead blooms, or worn-out growths to where new shoots are forming. Roses must be cut back lightly to encourage late autumn and early winter flowers. They will also want a thorough occasional watering, and a little manure forked in. Bouvardias make their new growth just below' the old flowers. In this ease the flowers should be removed but not cut back. Bouvardias, by the way, are excellent, late flowering plants in sheltered positions. They will benefit by thorough watering and w r eak liquid manure once a u r eek.