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Q. I've got great looking pumpkin vines growing from my compost area. The problem is I just don't get any fruit even though the vine is a mass of yellow flowers. What am I doing wrong?
A. Female flowers need to be pollinated, usually by bees, or they just will not produce fruit. The female flower is identified by a swelling just behind each flower. They usually appear later than the male flowers when the vines have started to shoot out from the sides. Pinching out the tips of the runners when they are about 3 metres long can stimulate the growth of side-shoots. these usually carry lots of the female flowers that set into the pumpkins you are striving for.
Q. My mate told me I'll have to spray my mango tree this year when it flowers in case we get some rain. What did he mean? Do you think rain makes any difference?
A. Your mate was probably referring to the fungus Anthracnose that can affect the flowers on your mango tree. It is true that rain during the flowering season will increase the chances of your tree being affected resulting in fewer, or worse still, no fruit in summer. Spray with a fungicide like Mancozeb, following the directions.
Q. My azaleas are giving me grief. They are still flowering, but the leaves look a mess. They are not as green a they should be and look all dried.
A. This sounds typical of the damage done by the azalea lace bug. you do need to spray to control this bug, although spraying will not heal existing leaf damage. the thing to do is to prune some of the damaged foliage, spray with Confidor, then spray the new growth as it appears, to prevent more damage from occurring. Always fertilize after pruning to encourage new growth.
Q. I love gardenias, but the black on the leaves drives me mad. How can I keep the plants looking good?
A. Black sooty mould is almost always caused by scale. Scale exudes a sticky substance on which the black mould grows. Ants move the sticky substance all over the stems and leaves. Control the ants and spray the plant regularly with white oil or pest oil to help control the scale.
Q. I've moved into a new home and this time I want to keep the lawn looking good. When should I fertilize?
A. Generally speaking you can fertilize in September and again in December. it is a good idea to repeat in April, to encourage the lawn before growth slows down for winter. during very wet summers, you can fertilize a little more often, as often heavy rain and extra mowing result in nutrients being leached from the soil. A spreader is a very handy tool to have as it ensures you spread just the right amount of fertilizer every time.
Q. I want to make a dense hedge along my side fence. How far apart should I plant?
A. We recommend you plant at 70cm spacings, or 3 plants every 2 metres. It is beneficial to dig a trench right along to plant rather than individual holes to allow the plants to develop a healthy root system more easily and produce more growth. Always mulch well, and remember that the plants are competing for nutrients and moisture. Ensure they have enough of both.
Q. How can I make sure the water I do use on my garden is being used effectively?
A. You need to make sure that when you water, it is actually penetrating through to the root zone. Check under the surface of the soil after normal watering. Wettasoil is a useful deep watering agent that improves water penetration in hard to wet soil and potting mixes.
Q. I've gone to a lot of expense to create topiary features using Lillypillies. I'm upset to see so many damaged leaves with tiny lumps all over them, mainly on the new growth. What can I do to save my trees?
A. Firstly, don't panic. These tiny lumps are probably the work of small insects called the pimple psyllid. They usually settle under the leaves and suck the sap from new growth, which causes the oval lumps on top of the leaves and depressions underneath. The damage will not affect the growth or health of your plants, but definitely creates an undesirable look to your topiary features. You can spray with Confidor, but you must do this as a preventative as soon as you spot the tiny insects. It is too late to spray if you can already see the damage. Meanwhile, remove the worst of the affected foliage.
Q. The lst time I went out to a restaurant, I thoroughly enjoyed the rocket salad we ordered. I just love that flavour. What is rocket? Can I grow it?
A. Rocket will readily grow for you and is readily available from Hawkins. Once it is established t is self-propagating. Although Rocket enjoys cooler weather, it will grow year round, especially if protected from the hottest sun during summer. It enjoys a soil enriched with compost and poultry pellets as a side dressing for nitrogen. Pick the younger leaves for the best flavour.
Q. I bought some potted roses which I love. They are already in flower and looking gorgeous. I haven't grown roses before and wondered about their watering requirements. I've planted them out in the garden that gets plenty of sun.
A. Plenty of sun is just the right spot for roses. Remember too, that they love their fertilizer. As for watering, the soil should be moist right down to the bottom of their roots. A deep soak once a week is far better than a sprinkle every day. Drip irrigation is effective and efficient too, as it directs the water away from the foliage. Fungal problems are increased with wet foliage.
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