Culinary and Dessert Fruits

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 59, Issue 3, 15 September 1939, Page 257

Culinary and Dessert Fruits

THE tomato crop under glass will be setting the fruit, and the success of this critical period of development depends very largely on maintaining a suitable atmosphere. Cold draughts, close humid conditions, and

sudden changes are inimical. When necessary, watering should be done in the morning. Excessively high or low temperatures should be anticipated, and the ventilators adjusted to maintain a warm buoyant atmosphere. In warm districts a little ventilation will be required now, even at night. Unless glasshouse crops are given ; this close attention they are not likely to prove profitable. ■

During , October, chiefly towards the end,', the first’ batch of tomato plants for outside, cropping can be planted. They should be set . deep and firm, carefully, avoiding injury to the stem, the land being .first well prepared. Spacing, whether stakes or. trellis is used.. should be from 12 to 15 inches between plants and three feet .between rows. ■ - - ■ .

Other half-hardy plants of this class which may be planted outside at this time are passion-fruit, tree-tomatoes; and Cape gooseberries, and also melons and cucumber plants which have been raised under glass. If they have been purchased or come from a distance it is advisable to place " them in the hardening-off frames for a while to be sure of their condition before planting them out. : \ Peppers Rather more tender than the plants mentioned are peppers and egg plants. These can be planted out a fortnight or so later, when there is practically no danger of a damaging frost. With the greater interest now being taken in salads and fruit by the general public, these crops demand greater attention from commercial growers with a rich, light soil in really warm districts. , The egg plant, probably a native of India, has long been in cultivation. It has much the same cultural requirements as the tomato, except that it is more tender and requires a rather longer-growing season. For this reason it should be well advanced in growth' before planting . out; preferably it should be in a pot, so that transplanting will interfere, with growth as little as possible... The most suitable spacing is 2 ft. apart and 3 ft. between rows. . . Peppers, or Capsicums, require much the same attention as the proceeding, but may be planted rather closer, . the plants being set 18 inches apart with 30 inches to 3 ft. between the rows. There are a large number of varieties, which may be roughly divided ..- into those with fruit which is “hot” or pungent, as Tabasco and Cayenne, and others which . are known as “cool,” or sweet, " and are in demand for serving as stuffed peppers and for use in salads. Strawberries showing signs of a fair crop may now be given a dressing of nitrogeneous manure with. advantage just before applying the mulch. For mulching clean baled straw which has been weathered to destroy seeds is very , suitable; rushes and pine needles may be used where straw is unobtainable. . To keep the berries free from grit thrown up by splashing rain something of this kind is desirable. Sommer Bedding Plants AS the time is arriving for setting ..out summer bedding plants, some preparation should, be. made. The fragrant ... stocks,. the ■ -glowing.. zinnias, and (Continued on page 260,

the delicately-coloured asters each have their appeal, and provide wholesome pleasure when well grown. This is best attained by strictly limiting the area planted and doing it well. The foreground of the shrubbery border, so often used, is rarely suitable, as the interests of the respective crops often . seriously clash. As the name bedding-plants indicates, they are best grown in beds or borders specially set aside for the purpose, so that the proper treatment may be given. With the continuous cropping these receive there is a danger of their becoming deficient in humus, without which good results cannot be obtained. It may be supplied now by turning in a good supply of decayed farm manure. If three or four ounces of bonedust to the square yard is included, success should be assured if good plants are set out in a tasteful mariner ■ An ounce or two of superphosphate to the square yard hoed in shortly before planting would supply their more immediate .need for phosphates;

Good Plants Good plants are dwarf, bushy, and well rooted. , It is important, too, they should be well hardened-off and not suddenly transferred from the glasshouse or hot bed, which would cause them to become stunted in their growth. The “planting season” during which hard-wooded plants generally can be transplanted satisfactorily is now drawing to a close. Where new planting of this kind has been done it will be sufficient to suppress the growth of weeds and grass in the vicinity that might rob the young plant of its requirements of light and air, and, should the season or locality be dry, a mulch of stable manure or humus about each plant-will be of assistance in retaining moisture.

Wm. C, HYDE, Horticulturist. Wellington. —————