Replies to Correspondents

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 10 (Supplement)

Replies to Correspondents

11.V.V., Wellsford.—Weeds for identification. (1) Grapthalium keriense (cudweed). (2) Corastium arvense (mousear chickweed). (3) Pratia anguloa (native). "Ceanothus."—The best time to cut back the ceanothus is just after the flowering period is over, which will be during tho next few weeks. Growth is usually made very freely again after cutting. " Roof Garden."—The rhododendrons should do quite well for a number of years in the tubs of the dimensions you give. Incorporate plenty of leaf soil or peat with tho compost and seo that the drainage is perfect. " Interested," Hamilton. —Tho question as to what constitutes a weed is a debatable one. Cultivated plants of ono country may bo weeds in another. Strictly speaking, a plant becomes a weed when it thrives too freely in places where it is not desired. "Tropical Plant." —Tho seeds aro those of the castor oil plant (Ricinus). Theso may bo sown now, preferably in a framo or glasshouse, and will develop into good plants in the ono season. Given a locality with a mild winter the plants will grow to a great size tho second year. " Hydrangea," North Auckland. —It is getting lato now for transplanting tho hydrangeas, as they have started into growth. But even this would be preferable to leaving thorn in such a crowded condition for another season. Lift carefully with as much soil as possiblo. Shade and water till established again. "Persimmon," Kaitaia. —The cause of tho fruits dropping off when half-grown is no doubt poverty of soil. Givo an application now of blood and bone, tlireo parts, sulphate of potash, ono part, and sulphnte of ammonia, ono part. One pound of tho mixture for each year of age of the tree, or alternatively feed tho tree with weak liquid manure while tho fruit is swelling. " Olearia," Otahuhu. —(1) The black smut is a result of tho plants being infested by somo scale insect. Spray with white oil emulsion J\t two per cent strength. (2) Probably tlirips infesting tho rhododendron; spray with tho same spray, preferably toward evening, as there will be danger of burning if j sprayed in bright sunshine. (3) A good fertiliser for the hedge would bo blood and bono; fork in about 2oz. per yard run of tho hedge. (-1) There are several varieties of Oupressus to which tho name Golden Cypress might be applied. C. Lawsoniana lutca; C. macrocarpa aurea; lietinospora obtusa Crippsii aurea and Retinospora pisifera plumosa aurea.

A.C.L., Remuera. —Dusting the vines with flowers of sulphur or spraying with lime sulphur at a strength of 1 in 120 at intervals of two or three weeks from the time the first good leaves are formed should keep the vines clean. Do not spray while the vines aro in bloom. Resume when the berries have set. The fermentation usually starts through some of the berries being punctured, possibly by birds, then the fruit flies complete the mischief. The fruit flies Qannot harm the berries all the while the skin is intact. A sudden rain after a dry period will cause the berries to crack, and the same trouble occurs. Do not allow the vines to suffer from want of water at any time during the swelling of the berries. "Bulbs," Avondale.—(l) So long as the base of the stem of Lilum auratuni is shaded that is all that is required. This may be achieved by planting some low-growing plants around it. As stem roots are formed to support the flower stem, give a good top-dressing with leafsoil or peat later. (2) There is every chance of success if these instructions are carried out, and the bulb was planted to a depth of at least six inches. (3) The hyacinth bulbs can bo lifted when the foliage turns yellow. (4) If lifted carefully and heeled in soil in a shady place, with adequate watering, not much harm should bo done, but as the flower for next season is formed by the foliage immediately after flowering, a check is unavoidable, and results will not be quite as good as if left to ripen off. (5) Same remarks apply as (1). Kkcos.