Readers' Problems

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23791, 19 October 1940, Page 6 (Supplement)

Readers' Problems

Lettuc« Culture. —(1) Why do my lettuces grow well hut refuse to heart? Ordinary garden manure used. (2) What kind should I grow in light sandy soil.—"Ham," Tauranga.

(1) Lack of phosphate is probably the trouble, or an excess of nitrogen. (1) Any kind of lettuce should grow well if well supplied with humus and moisture in dry weather.

Identification of Crass.—Please identify the enclosed specimen of grass which was found in the Puhi Puhi School playground.— M.M.. Kaimamaku.

Although resembling a grass, the specimen really belongs to the rush family. The name is Juncus bufonius, commonly called Toad Rush

Treatment of Hedge.—"Enclosing clippings of a hedge which is now 20 feet in height. (1) 3s October a suitable month to trim or top the hedge? (2) Will you give the correct botanical name of the tree which is commonly known as "Monkey Apple Tree"? (1) The hedge can be topped now without any injury. (2) Acmena floribunda.

Identification of Plants. —(1) Will you kindly identify the two enclosed plants? ('.!) When is the time to sow the seed formed on my hyacinths?—"Wirihana." St. Heliers. (1) Haemanthus multiflorus. the blood lily of Cape Colony. (2) The shrub is lochroma grandiilora. native to tropical America. This shrub is sometimes met with under the old name of Chaenestes. (3) Sow the hyacinth seeds as soon as ripe in early autumn. Diseased Shrubs.—Will you please advise what the diseases are on these two specimens anil the remedies?—R.C.. Cambridge. The clianthus is infested with leaf miner. These are difficult to control by spraying, as the tiny grubs live between the skins of the leaf. Picking off affected leaves as soon as seen and spraying occasionally with a weak solution of tar disinfectant are the only possible remedies. The spraying is to prevent the fly from laying its eggs. The spiraea is attacked by fireblight. With this, cut out all affected branches and burn them. Cut well back into sound, live wood Tomato Blight.—Am forwarding two small tomato plants which show sections of white on the leaves which I am afraid is blight. Do you think the rest of the plants aro similarly blighted, if it is blight? If so. what should 1 do?—"Paeroa."

There is no blight on the plants, but the leaves have been scalded. This is easily dpno when tho leaf is tender by tho morning sun shining on the leaves while still wet with dow. As a precaution against blight, spray at tenday intorvals with bordeaux powder one ounce to each gallon of water, until the plants aro fully grown. Diseases of Flowers. —Would you please advise what would be best to do in order to stop the leaves of tritonias, amaryllis and other flowers from turning yollow as sample enclosed? Animal manure is used, also decayed vegetable matter and some lime.— "Rust," Helensville. The soil is lacking in nitrogen. Do not use the lime in the same season as the animal manure. An application of sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda will improve matters.

Flowering Apricot.—(l) I have a flowering apricot which docs not. seem to be making growth; it has been in for two years. Would manuring help it? (2) What, would be the best annuals to plant in a bed of bulbs? T would like somclhing bright I have heard

that many flowers do not come to much In a bed of bulbs.—"Flowers." -Awaken. (1) An application of sulphate of ammonia would assist the growth, and it would be a good plan to mulch with animal manures for the summer. (2) It is too much to expect annuals to thrive in a bed fully occupied by bulbs which have taken all the nutriment from the soil. Jf the soil is lightly forked over between the bulbs and some blood and bone added, the. plants will have a better chance. Phlox Drununondii would make a good bright show, or petunias, which do not mind rather dry conditions. Gumming of Apricot.—(l) Enclosed is a sample of apricot affected with a disease. Can you identify it and what should be done to cure it? The tree is laden with fruit. Can this be saved? (2) Have two old grape vines, healthy growth and last season laden with fruit. As soon as the fruit begins to ripen it is attacked by something which apparently eats off the skin. The juiro runs over the bunch, ferments and the crop is lost. This year before growth started I noticed a lot of ants on the vine. Do you think the ants eat the fruit? The skin is not torn, but just appears to be "filed" off. What can I do to prevent? (3) A flowering cherry in a wet situation almost died, so it was shifted to a

:To Correspondents. Unfortunately, ; : lack of space necessitates replies to ; : numerous garden problems being held j | over each week- These will all ap- j

• pear in due course, but in any case j j of urgency a stamped addressed \ : envelope will bring an immediate \ ■ reply.—"Kepos." :

warmer position. Only two shoots have burst into blossom and leaf and look quite healthy. What can I do to stimulato growth?—H.El l Thames. *

(1) The troublo is a disease known as gummosis. Trees very badly affected usually decline gradually and die. The trouble may arise from several causes which you may bo able to locate. Damago to the branches when picking the crop. Application of rich manures. Tree growing in wet or ill drained ground or trees growing in land deficient ih lime are all subject to attacks of gummosis. Remedial measures to take aro very light pruning; pruno away badly affected parts, coating tho wounds with , Bordeaux pasto. Give the tree an application of five parts of basic slag and three parts of sulphate of potash, half a pound per square yard in autumn. The tree may carry the crop to maturity this year. (2) The presence of ants indicates that some insect post secreting honey dow is prosent. Tho ants' nests should be looked for in the vicinity and some kerosene poured in Die nests. By watching the ants they can be traced to tho nest. Tho damage to tho grapes is most likely tho caterpillar of the vine moth. Spray with arsenate of lead half an ounce to each gallon of water from tho time tho berries have set until they show colour. Drive tho spray into the bunches. (3) Let the flowering cherry take its own course. No good purpose would be served by feeding while the tree is making fresh root. When root action is again fully active apply basic slag in the autumn. Identification ol Flower.—Could yon identify enclosed flower which is from a treo rather large to be called a shrub?—F.H Putaruru. Embothrium coccineum.