TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 732, 8 April 1933, Page 23 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

ABUTE (Beckenham) writes: Could you please inform me whether the enclosed is an abutilon? I bought it as such, and this is the first year of flowering, but this is as far as the flower develops before dropping off. It is in a sunny, sheltered spot facing south. How is abutilon pronounced? I have a number of hollyhocks which flowered for the first time this summer, so I do not want to discard them, but they were affected with r.ust. Would it be of any use to dust the young leaves which are just coming up with sulphur, or water them with it?—Yes, it is one of the small flowering abutilons. In pronouncing the word, emphasise the " bu," making it a-bu-ti-lon. We had similar notes on the hollyhock rust a fortnight ago. If the plants are good doubles they might be worth saving, otherwise it is better to sow seed each year, as the old ones generally succumb after the second flowering. Remove all stems and most of the leaves and dust the remainder

with sulphur or spray with lime su'.phur 1 in 100. AMATEUR (Ashburton) writes): Being a constant reader of your gardening notes, which I find very useful in helping me along in my garden, as I have received great benefit from them, I am asking advice. (1) Will a top-dressing of lime be beneficial to my daffodil bulbs, or do them harm, as my ground is very stiff and cakes badly? (2) How could I encourage the growth of my aspidistra, as it remains dwarfy compared to some that I see that have nice long stems; would a large pot be beneficial? It is not pot bound, as I changed it last year.—Many thanks for your appreciative remarks. Solving particular problems must be helpful to others as well. (l) Yes, if dug in previous to planting. Equal quantities of lime and bonedust would be better, the latter being relished more by the bulbs. (2) I am writing a special note on aspidistras on Tuesday next. Sfee the women’s page. Write again if that does not answer your query.