GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 43, 5 November 1952, Page 5

GARDENS IN TAUPO

CULTURE jOF YIOLETS

(By

"Flora.")

This seems a rather strange time to be thinking of violets. But if your clumps have been'in some years it is time to give theni some attention if you want good blooms next year. Propagation by runners or division of the main plant should be as soon as the flowering season is over. It is still not too late to do this in Taupo; but do not delay or your new stock will not be established before the dry weather sets in.

The clumps should be lifted with a fork; these may be divided; but to obtain the best results propagate by means of the well-grown runners. Cut off the end of the runi>er, rernove most of the old leaves to prevent loss of moisture, and plant about nine inches apart. The vioiet bed, or border, should be dug to a depth of about a foot; but the manure, Jbr compost need only be iiicorporated in the top six inches. The vioiet loves a cool moist soil an-.l semi-shade during the summer. But for early flowering a sunny rcsition is required. Thes? conditions can be obtained by first lin^ iug cut in a shaded position, where the plants will thrive during the summer. Then in the early autumn lift with a ball of earth, and plant in a sunny spot, where they will flower in the early spring. It is not neeessary to renew the plants every year; but give the plants a little attention after flowering. Rernove the runners; and top-sdress with fresh soilt or compost. Soot water is beneficial when they are coming into flower. The chief worry in vioiet cultivation is their susceptibilfty to attack of red-spider during hot dry weather. This pest can be kept in rhe^k by watering the plants revularly during* the summer. If they do become infected dust with powdered sulphur. Diseased Plum. I have often heard the terrn "bladder plum," but only saw it for the first time last week. I have since read the following, which micbt be of help to the grower: — ^These anummified or bladdeif plums occur three or four weeks after blossoming; fruits become greatly en^arged, misshapeh and hollow. This is due to a fungus disease, apparently more troublesome after a wet season. Affected fruits should be collected and burnt, the soil around the trees cultivated, and kept clean during the winter, to prevent the fungus wintering in the debris the trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture at bud movement and again two weeks later."