Readers Problems

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23761, 14 September 1940, Page 9 (Supplement)

Readers Problems

Identification of Shrub.—(l) I would like the name of enclosed shrub which has no leaves on at present? (2) When will Brompton stocks flower, the seeds of which wero sown in March? They are strong and healthy plants.—M.C.H., Waitoa. (1) Corylopsis spicata. (2) The Brompton stocks will probably not flower until next, spring when they will make a good show. The seed of Bromptons should be sown before the end of the year as they require nearly a year to reach flowering stage. Identification of Creeper.—Would you identify the enclosed creeper? It appears to bo a different species of Kennedya from Comptoniana, which you identified for mo recently Would you recommend it as a . creeper to cover a fairly large arch and can it be controlled by pruning if necessary?—-"Creeper," Dargaville. Kennedya nitrrecans. Will cover a fairly large area, especially in your locality. Prune if required as soon as the blooming season is over.

Identification of Tree. —Would you please identify the enclosed specimen? It is a native about five feet in height.—C.J.D.,- Te Kauwhata. /

Podocarpus Hallii, a variety of totara. Black Fly on Beans.—Broad beans in flower are attcked by a small fly which causes the flowers to drop off. Would you please name the fly and also the remedy? —R.T.McK.,' Waharoa. Tho. insects are the black bean fly. As these insects live only on the soft shoots, pinching out the tips of the beans will usually stop the trouble.

Repotting Cacti.—l hnvo a cactus which I think is too cramped in the original pot. Should I put any manure in tho soil when I repot it and when is the best season to repot?—" Cactus," Waihi.

No manure is needed when repotting the cacti. A compost of loam, sand and finely broken brick will suit it best. Put plenty of drainage in tho bottom of tho pot. September is the best season to repot. Kohl Rabl Fialing,—'Kohl rabi plants planted two months aso have gone to seed without any bulbs forming. What is the cause of this and how can it be prevented? —"Kohl Rabi," Waeharoa. Kohl rabi is a hot weather vegetable and the reason that your plants have trone to seed is that they were planted at the wrong time of the year. Seed should be sown now for a crop during the hot summer weather. If left in the ground the plants would go to seed next spring. Sow tho seed in drills and thin out us the plants do not transplant very well.

Bean Chocolate Spot.—(l) 1 have broad beans about one foot in height—some are in flower —while a lot arc dying as the specimen forwarded. How can I treat this trouble? (2) My antirrhinums were doing well but then drooped and died. Can you help me to save those which are left? (3) Do the ladybirds affect them? —"Perplexed," Waharoa. H) The beans are affected by the disease known as chocolate spot. This disease is always worse where there is a deficiency of potash. Very often an excess of phosphates will bring about a deficiency of potash. There is no way of curing the affected plants which

will be too far gone. Apply potash to the soil for the next crop. (2) Antirrhinums are affected with collar rot. Water with a solution of Cheshunt Compound, whicli may save the remainder. (3) Ladybirds are beneficial insects and do no harm. Identification of Plants.—(l) Would you please identify enclosed plants? (2) How to increase stocks of camellias, erica, daphne and the perennial typo of gypsophila? —X.Y.Z., Tc Ivuiti. (1) Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Tanekaha). (2) Retinospora leptoclada. (3) Buddlela salvifolia. (4) Deutzia gracilis. (5) Polyanthus Narcissus, Grand Monarque. (G) Narcissus Apricot Phoenix. (7) Jonquilla campernelli major. (8) Polyanthus narcissus Grand Monarque. (0) Ribcs sanguineum. 00) Narcissus Sulphur Queen. (31) Narcissus Queen- of Phoenix. (12) Narcissus poeticus ornatus (Pheasant Eye). (13) Narcissus Barrii conspicuous. (14) Polyanthus "Jack in the Green." (15) Adenandra uniflora. (16) Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake). (17) Camellias can be propagated by layers, cuttings or seeds. Erica by cuttings or layers. Daphne by layers and perennial gypsophila by seeds only. -

To Correspondents. Unfortunately, lack of space necessitates replies to nameroas garden problems being held over each week■ These will all appear in dae coarse, bat In any ease of argency a stamped addressed envelope will bring an immediate reply.—"Kepos."

Failing Camellia.—(l) Enclosed are leaves tif a camellia, and would be glad to know what treatment to give it? (2) I was given two lilac suckers a year ago and these are now about two feet in height. How long will I have to wait for them to flower? I am told seven years. (3) I would also like your opinion on Boxthorn for farm hedges. How far apart should the nursery plants be put in and how long would it take thern to make a hedge up to about fence height?—F.G.D.. Paengaroa.

(1) Due to lack of nitrogen, give an application of sulphate of ammonia. (2) Lilac suckers will take at east five years to flower, probably seven. (3) Boxthorn will make a good farm hedge. Plant at 18 inches apart and tho plants should make a hedge of fence height In two years.

Failing Shrub.—My prostranthcra appears to bo dving. Could you advise mo from the specimen enclosed what to do to save it? The bush is only three years old and has flowered well previously.—J.G.M., Waihi.

The root conditions arc at fault in some way. Examine the plant at the base for collar rot or canker. The best way would be to lift the bush and after-ciitfinjj away any dead or dying roots, transplant in fresh soil. The hush may have been waterlogged during winter, which would cause some of the roots to decay