CARE OF SHRUBS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 11 (Supplement)

CARE OF SHRUBS

THE "SUCKER" PROBLEM UNDESIRABLE IN SOME CASES From time to time queries are received as to what should bo done with shoots arising from tho base of fruit trees or shrubs, or what are known as suckers. Are they harmful; and should they bo removed? Each case must bo taken on its merits. In tho case of grafted or budded plants, suckers aro harmful, and should be removed. If allowed to remain, they will tend to swamp the plant very quickly. As they issue from the stock, which has usually little or 110 decorative or utilitarian value, it is undesirable to allow them to compote with the good garden variety which has been worked upon it. But by 110 means aro all suckers harmful. In the case of rambler roses grown from cuttings, strong sucker growths aro an advantage, as they will partake of tho 6amo character as the rest of tho.plant, while their vigour makes it tolerably certain they will produce a good crop of flowers. Sucker growths which appear round the base of old chrysanthemum 6tools are tho bost of all shoots from which to prepare cuttings, while suckers from such shrubs as Rhus cotinus and lilacs, which have not been grafted, aro the best of all material for propagation, as they may bo removed with a few roots in the autumn and planted separately. Learn to Distinguish The novice should endeavour to distinguish between the two classes of sucker growths, or there will bo some bad errors made in pruning. The first and most important part to remember is that, in the case of all grafted plants, any shoot from the stock is harmful and should not be allowed to remain. The novice may object that he does not know whether a plant has been grafted or not, but this is not so difficult. With any apples, pears, plums, peaches or apricots purchased from a nurseryman, it may be taken for granted they aro upon budded or grafted stock. To test this, if the main trunk of any of these trees is examined closely, it is very probable that the point of union between stock and scion can be readily discerned as an unequal swelling at or near ground level. The rest is simple, for any shoots, 110 matter how healthy and inviting they may look, which arise from below this swelling are harmful suckers and should be removed. Sometimes fruit tree suckers appear 1 some feet away from the main stem. These are equally' harmful and not quite so easy to remove as the stem suckers, as the soil must be scraped away till the base of the sucker is revealed. Then it is removed cleanly with a sharp knifo or secateurs. On no account should suckers of this nature be cut off by simply thrusting a spade into the ground, for, in that case, the sucker will not bo cut off at its base and three or four shoots will grow where there was but one before. Many ornamental shrubs are grafted, and here the problem is not so simple, as nursery practice is not invariable in this respect. A close examination of the foliage will often settle the point, for it is rare that the foliage of the stock and scion are identical. If a marked difference is noted, it may be taken that the plant is grafted and the basal growth will be harmful suckers. But, rather than do injury to a valuable shrub, it would be best to obtain some expert advice.