SWEET PEA STREAK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1940, Page 9

SWEET PEA STREAK

A MATTER FOR CONCERN. The beginning of November often brings concern to sweet pea growers, when the plants are attacked by the streak disease. From now until midJanuary is the vulnerable period. The leaves turn yellow and on these leaves as well as on the stems, dark furrows appear. Attacked plants never bloom well, while infection is so rapid that unless something is done quickly, all the plants will be infected. Infected plants should be removed, haulm, roots and the soil attached. Burn this dangerous material and sprinkle fresh lime freely in the holes. For six weeks feed the healthy plants with sulphate of potash solution, one ounce in a gallon of water, once, a week. Four pints per plant each time is the recognised quantity. This treatment does not save affected plants, but it does safeguard healthy ones.

SPRAY FOR PESTS WHAT TO USE. Though pests have not been very troublesome, there is some green fly and mildew about. Once green fly appears it multiplies rapidly and soon weakens the plant by sucking the juices out of it. They also cause malformation of the foliage. The best and most economical spray is soapy water applied as hot as you can stand your hand in it. This is made by dissolving a half-pound of soft soap in four gallons of water and by adding a dessertspoonful of nicoticide the spray is more effective. Apply with a spray pump or a syringe with a fine nozzle, taking care to wet the undersides of the leaves as well as the upper. This pest appears on the ramblers before the bushes, and as they are often trained up high it is not noticed until considerable damage is done.

For mildew the best spray is sulphide of potassium, one ounce dissolved in three gallons of water, but this may not be obtainable now. Lime sulphur one part in 120 of water is a very effective spray for mildew, but it has to be applied before the flowers open or after they are over, for it stains them as well as the foliage. Formaldhyde, one tablespoonful in a gallon of water, is the most suitable spray when the flowers are opening for it does not stain.

For black spot use ammoniated carbonate of copper in half a pint of liquid ammonia and dilute with ten gallons of water. Lime sulphur can also be used as recommended for mildew. Accasionally one notices the tops of the buds eaten off. This is done by the brown beetle, and the remedy is to spray with arsenate of lead, half a pound in 15 gallons of water.