Replies To Correspondents

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22504, 22 August 1936, Page 10 (Supplement)

Replies To Correspondents

f'K." Kaitaia.—Name of shrub. Kennedya Comptoniana.

" Shrubbery."—Tho plant Is a native shrub. Leucopogon fasiculatus.

R.8.W., Silvcrdale. —Tho sodium chlorate should do no harm to tho fruit trees, but it would not bo advisnblo to apply too close to tho roses ns they aro not quite so deeply rooted as the larger trees.

" Opuawhanga School Children. (1* Acacia decurrens (Tho Black Wattle), (2) All kinds aro subject to tho gall fungus. (3) The new wattlo makes quito good firewood. (4) Tho bark is used for tanning purposes.

J.A., Warkworth. —The orango tree is affected by the withcr-tip disease. Cut off all tho affected portions of tho wood and spray with Bordeaux powder, ono ounco tn ono gallon of water. Tho spraying should be repeated about onco a month as a precaution to prevent any recurrence of tho discaso, especially iu tho spring and autumn. A I) WAV., Onehanga.—lt. is more than probable that the shoot which has started mvav from tho base of tho lemon tree that was cut down is from tho stock on which the original lemon was budded, and if so, it, will not bo worth keeping, as it may bo e'J«er a seedling citronella or any of the other stocks on which tho commercial lemon, is worked.

" Limo," Hamilton. —It should be quite Bftfe to apply the manuro throe weeks to one month nfter tho application of limo. the statement that manuro and limo should "ot he applied together refers more to organic manures such as those from stable or farmyard, although limo certainly does have nn Averse effect on some artificial nianiires iUso It ia the safest, method to apply at different periods. "Iris." raoroa.—Tho iris aro affected with the "stripe" disease. H is not known for certain .vet whether this dlseaso is ratified by tho sniiio virus us that, causing tlio "yellow stripe" of narcissus, but it is definitely a virus disease. When attacked by vlru disease plants never recover, and are always ii potential sourco of dancer toother pi ant s. Transmission of tho disease takes place by insect agency. in the enso of bulbs ■frequently in store when the bulbs are sprouting. There is no treatment that 1 can recommend other than the destruction of the affected bulbs. "Bay of Plenty."—There Is only one kind of scnrlet poinsettia. There is a white variety which is seldom seen. The reason for the bracts becoming smaller Is no doubt Insufficient. nutriment. During active growth, frequent applications of liquid cow manure will increase the size of the bracts, but applications should cense when the bracts show. C.utting hard back encli winter is quite correct, and tho best bracts aro obtained when the shoots are crown direct to the (lowering stage without branchincr. Any pinching of the tips or accidental damage to tho growing point will result In small branches which carry a much smallor head. A brighter colour will'result from tho feeding.

"Orchardist," Thames. —Tho grub yon describe has not como to hand yet, but there Is no doubt that it is tho cause of tho trouble. There aro several kinds that it may be, and it, is possiblo to determine which, only by examination of the specimen. "Seedlings," Whakatano. —(1) Nitrogen Is tho chief requirement of citrus trees; apply sulphate of ammonia ono pound for each year of ago of the trees in August and again in March. (2) A Rood general manuro for the fruit trees is composed of super four parts, sulphate of potash one and a-half parts, sulphato of ammonia ono part. Apply at the present time. Stone fruits requiro lime in addition, preferably applied in autumn. (8) Broccoli and . savoy need not bo sown until Novombcr. (•!) British Queen is ono of the best second early potatoes. Arran Chief or Game-keeper for main and later crops. Mrs. W., Maungaturoto.—(l) Native shrub Suttonia Australia; would 'Jiako a pood hedge. (2) Tho box would mako a pood dwarf hedge and is slow growing. Cuttings put in now will root, (3) The variety of bamboo would be very difficult to keep within bounds. There are better varieties that will not spread. Bambtisa aurea is one of tho best. The heisrht will a vera Re about 15 feet when established. Clipping is not very satisfactory, as the long cancs are thrown up from the base each season. (4) The old dead stems of toconia can be cut back to sound wood now. (5) Do not cut the younß macrocarpa when planting out. "Waiheke."—(l) Tho trailing basket beRonia tubers can bo started now in travs or pots of leafmould or licrht soil, and when' they have mado two or threo inches of growth and are nicely rooted, transfer to the baskets.' C2) Liquid manuro would be quite suitable for tho beironlas when in full growth in summer, but should be applied sparingly to ferns. Topdressing with trood leaf soil would be better for these in the bush house. (3) It is not advisible to dig very deeply round fruit treeß at any time, but the soil may be lightly forked over now. avoiding damago to any roots that may be near tho surface. Keep the soil round tho trees free from weeds and grass at all times, by light forking or hoeing.

Pruning, Mauve Buddleia

In many gardens there are bushes of this buddleia which bears bunches of mauve flowers in late summer. Its correct name is Buddleia variabilis. There are several varieties, the best of which is magnifica. The way to get the best flowers from this shrub is to prune the branches of last year's growth to within nine inches of their base. This should bo done without delay. Small weakly shoots unlikely to bloom ought to be cut out cleanly.