Gardeners’ Queries

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31006, 11 March 1966, Page 8

Gardeners’ Queries

I intend sowing down a new lawn and as I have heard that Dicondra or Mercury Bay weed makes a lovely lawn I wonder if it would be suitable for the Ashburton area as sometimes we get heavy frosts. If suitable would you please tell me what steps to take in maintaining a lawn of this kind.—G.M. (Ashburton). As dicondra is susceptible to frost damage above a few degrees, I very much doubt whether you would have much success with it in your area.

I have a twin stemmed golden cypress tree about seven feet high doing very well but planted only one foot away from the house. I would be very glad if you could tell me when to wrench it and when to move it thereafter. The new position will be in full sun—is this suitable?— E.M. (Christchurch). Wrenching should be done without delay now, cutting as many roots as possible but leaving them at least 18 inches to two feet in length all round from the base of the tree. Transplant in late winter. It is ideally suited for a sunny position. * *

Would you please list a few trees and shrubs suitable for coastal plantings?—“Aranui.” Arbutus unedo (Irish Strawberry tree), Buddleia daivdii and B. salvifolia, Callistemon species (Bottlebrush), Cistus species (Sun Roses), Clianthus puncieus (Kaka beak). Cotoneaster species, Olearia traversii, Senecio species, Phormium tenax (N.Z. flax), Griselinea littoralis (Broadleaf), Viburnum tinus, Dondonea viscosa (Ake Ake), Hebes and others. ❖ &

I have a pot plant whose name I do not know. Lately the leaves have started to drop off the stems which are fast becoming bare. The plant has never yet flowered and the foliage falls while it is quite green and fresh looking. I am enclosing one hoping you can tell me the name and how to prevent the leaves from dropping. It was repotted about six months ago using very plain soil and no manure. —A.D. (Kaiapoi).

Specimen sent was insufficient to enable identification to be made. Leaf drop could be due to dryness of the roots. Because plants are pot bound it is important to ensure that only suitably enriched soil be used as potting mixture otherwise the plant cannot be expected to thrive, sis Sis s>

Could you please advise me as to which spray, or sprays, to use on my lemon tree. As you will see from the enclosed sample there is a smut like

deposit on the lemons and a shell backed thing on the leaves, stalks and fruit too.— S.T. (Kaikoura). Olive scale, both adults and crawlers, are fairly heavily concentrated on your lemon tree and the smut like deposit is a fungus growth arising from the so called honeydew secreted by these insects. In festation of citrus, especially at this time of year, is very common on trees which are not sprayed. Apply five fluid ounces summer oil a gallon of water immediately. ® # $

I enclose further leaves from my raspberry canes. They are growing in semishade and were given powdered sheep manure about three years ago and since then have had ordinary garden compost and some Wood and bone. Arsenate of lead has been the only spray applied, after fruiting. Pruning has consisted of cutting out old woo'’., weak new growths and tipping new canes.— “Autumn” (Christchurch).

Deficiency sympton suggests magnesium shortage but slight only. Remedial, measures applicable can be one of two methods, the first one, although involving more work, being probably the best. Magnesium sulphate (Epsom Salts) can be applied to the soil at 1-2 ounces per square yard. 2, Magnesium sulphate spray, treatment being necessary several times (4-5) over the season, beginning at petal fall and continuing at fortnightly intervals. One or 2 per cent solution at the rate of one quarter to half a pound per 2 J gallons of water should be made up and a spreader added if excessive run-off is noticed.

The potatoes which 1 have sent you are all similar. The ground in which they are growing is what I would describe as a medium loam and has had occasional compost put on it. The plants themselves appear very healthy and we are getting a good number of potatoes from each of them although nearly all have this rough bumpy surface. What is it and what can be done about it?—A. L. (Christchurch). The irregular scabby appearance of the tubers is caused by a fungus disease. Common Scab, which is aggravated by liming or induced where crops are growing in alkaline soils. Avoid liming, incorporate a green crop as manure and use add fertilisers such as sulphate of ammonia. Do not use scabbed potatoes as seed for subsequent crops.