Growing Gardens

with Anita Morton

Scale back

The lemon, Citrus limon, must be the most popular fruit tree in Australia. It grows in a wide range of climates, and will shrug off a light frost, but is less tolerant of very hot summers. Lemons don't grow well in the tropics, and may struggle a bit in our climate.

Our lemons grow rampantly and fruit abundantly, and this can weaken the tree, leading to disease and insect infestations. One of the most common problems in lemons is scale. These are small, shell-like insects that may be white, red, yellow or purple, and cling to the tree, yet can be scraped off with a fingernail.

Luckily, if one times it right, scale control is relatively painless. The least toxic method of dealing with this pest is spraying with white oil, a petroleum based product that forms a coating over the foliage and smothers the scale. Mix it up in accordance with the directions on the bottle, and spray to cover all of the leaves and fruit. Choose a day that isn't too hot or windy, and avoid spraying in bright sunshine.

There is an improved type of white oil called Pest Oil, which is used in exactly the same way. Pest Oil is less likely to cause scorching of the leaves, so you may prefer to use it.

Spraying now can control light infestations, but major scale problems will need a double whammy. Spray in December, and then again in February. It doesn't hurt to add a squirt of washing-up detergent to the spray mixture, which will help to defeat the waxy coating on the insects. Fertilise and water well after spraying.

Unfortunately, if diligent spraying with white oil fails, you will have to turn to chemical control. Maldison (Malathion) is the first resort - if that fails, turn to a carbaryl-based spray.

Lismore Garden Club News

A reminder about the Lismore Garden Club social outing next Tuesday, February 15. We will all meet at The House with No Steps nursery at 253 Wardell Rd, Alstonville, at 9am and after our nursery inspection will proceed to the restaurant for Devonshire morning tea/coffee. We will then go to PineGrove bromeliad nursery at Wardell. The only cost is $4 per head for morning tea. Visitors and potential members are most welcome. For information please phone Ron on 6624 7422.

Remember St Valentines Day on Monday, February 14. Red roses are the traditional flowers to give to the one you love. Why not give a potted red rose that can be planted out into the garden and thereby bring back fond memories every Valentine's Day.

An unusual, exotic and beautiful small evergreen shrub that is definitely worth a try is the rose grape or medinilla. It's native to Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific. Two of the more readily procurable species are M. Magnifica and M. Myriantha, however, I am aware of at least one more new hybrid. Medinilla has quite large leaves and pendulous pink flowers that hang like bunches of grapes, hence the common name of rose grape.

A lovely climber that is in flower at present around our region is Stephanotis Floribunda. It is not that common in local gardens, however it is easy to grow is now quite readily available. Stephanotis is an evergreen climber with dark green leathery leaves and bunches of fragrant waxy flowers. It is often used in bridal bouquets.

Happy gardening,
Ron Burns