HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1979-05-10, Page 364; — HOME :dt GARDEN IMPROVEMENT WEEK OF MAY 7, 1979
Plant problems?
STONE. BORDERS around flower . beds
enhance the attractiveness of the garden. while
reducing maintenance, (Photo by the Ontario,
Ministry: of. Agriculture: and food). ;
U of Guelph has
Homeowners, as well as the
agricultural industry can now.
get answers to their quest-
ions and problems; from a
new pest dtagnosfie and;
services clinic at the Univer-
sity of Guelph. The clinic is
offered with the support of
funds provided through the.
Ontario Ministry of Agricul-
ThIs 'n' that
on roses
If you want your rose bush
to produce an abundance of
lusciousroses, it needs the
energy from the sun to man-
ufacture new growth. Sun-
light combines, with water
and atmospheric carbon
dioxide which are converted,
in the presence alight, into
carbohydrates. With these
carbohydrates the plant pro-
duces new leaves, stems and
flowers.
Vacationing?
Don't forget. house plonts
Your vacation plans area.
almost complete. , Youare
wondering what to do with
the houseplants you've
pampered all year.
Burke ` McNeill, Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food extension
horticulturist, says there are
a number of solutions to your
plant sitting problems.
The best solution is to find
an accommodating neighbor'.
to water the plants while you
are away. If you are fortunate'
enough to fund such a plant
sitter, leave watering in-
structions, ' especially if the
person is inexperienced with
plants. °
"It doesn't take long to kill
a plant by over -watering,
he says.
Another solution is to put
the plants in ah ut t(iwo_
inches of water in tie bath-
tub or kitchen sink. If there is
no: natural light in the room it
is, advisable to leave a light
on. Using this method: Mrs.
McNeill • says plants cart
Regular
pruning is
necessary
Once you (earn' how to
shape and' protect your.
shrubs. you'll want to prune
regularly. In the case of de-,
ciduous shrubs (those which
shed leaves in winter) re-
move dead growth; .and the
remaining parts of the plant'
will receive mor of the food
stored in the roots, trunk,
and limbs. 1
One way to pra.ne decidu-
ous shrubs for ,gradual: re -1
rtewal is by thinning out the,
old wood.. This opens the
interior of the plant to more
sunlight and` air, and
encourages gro th at. the
base of the plat that will
eventually renew°the top.
Do not, •however, .indis-
criminately whack toff the
' entire top of yoyr shrubbery,
or excess bushiness will re-
sult and destroy the natural
shape of your plant.
Generally speaking,
Shrubs that flower in the
summer are best pruned right
after flowering.
survive for about two weeks,
You can also make your,
own automatic . watering.
system using clear plastic
bags. First water the plants
thoroughly and insert two.
stakes, slightly tai,er than
the plant. into each pot. Put
the bag over the top of the
plant and fasten to the pot
rim with: a rubber band. This
will aloes water condensing
inside the bag -to drain 'into.
the soil.
Mr;' McNeill says once in'.
the bags; the plants should
be set in a cool :spot, away
from.. direct :sunlight. This
will provide an ideal environ,
ment for houseplants for
about two weeks. However,
this method is not recom-
mended for soft plants; such
as '`fibrous begonias. This
type of plant may rot :because
of excess moisture.
For longer vacations, there,
are several automatic
watering devices available at
garden centers and other
plant outlets. in some 9f
Ontario's larger centers, pro-
fessional . plant sitters are
available for hire to care for
your: prized house plants.
Quality!"
Craftsmanship!.
Exp•rienct!',
Building.- .-repairing? What-
ever the ' carpentry job you
need ... big or small, we'll
do it the way you like. Call!
CARPENTER
Phone 5274285
ture and Food.
The clinic will deal with,
questions relating to the
identification, and control of
pests, the. identification of
plants, andthe many prob-
lems encountered by horti'
culturalists and homeowners:
in growing plants.
For many years, such
problems have been brought,
to the university of Guelph,
and referred to facility mem-
bers in several departments
for answers. Among those
who . responded, to such.
queries were the late Prof.
J.C. Taylor, and Professors
H. Goble and C,B. Kelly,
who recently retired from
their faculty positions.
Modern demands for up-
dated information on pesti-
cides, and a'steadily growing;
number of all inquiries now
require a more co-ordinated,
system, with: specimens fa
identification and other
enquiries directed" to a cen-
tral location.. The new clinic'
achieves this, and will pro,
vide a more prompt and
better service to the public. -
The clinic' will be staffed,
initially, with a .diagnost-
ician, R.T, Wukasch, assist-
ed by both; Prof. Goble and
Prof. Kelly on a part time
diagnostic service
basis. Other specialists at the
University of Guelph and,
elsewhere will also., act as.
consultants so that the clinic
can serve a broad function to
the' agricultural industry,
ancillary industries and the
general " public.
Enquiries and. specimens
for diagnosis shotild be sent
or delivered to: Pest. Diag-
nostic and Advisory .clinic,
Department of Environ-
mental Biology. Room B 14,
Graham Hall, University. of
Guelph, Guelph, Ontario,
1419 2W1, Telephone: (519),
824-4120 Ext. 2701.
• Washable
• Scrubbable
• For every room in. your home
including trim
•Easy to apply .
• Soap and water clean-up
Shape up your walls and trim with CIL's Super Latex Flat Enamel
at a price that will help you .trim your budget, too:
Until May 30. .; - .Robert Plumsteel Interiors has CIL's truly
washable, scrubbable'Supre Latex Flat Enamel at a price of only
14.95 per gallon. Paint yga.lr walls this year and you'll only have to
wash them for 'years to come.
SEE ROBERT L. PLUMSTEEL INTERIORS, today. And clean up A a
on truly washable scrub'bable Super Latex Flat Enamel only irom
CIL for only 14.95 per' gallon. The sale ends_ May 30, 1979.
• Extra cost for Deep color bases
.Come and have your siding matched from our
selection of new deep colors that can., be mixed for
the first time in the Paint Industry.
Free Decorating Consultation.& ServiCe
Robert L Plumsteel
Interiors
'FINE FURNITURE.. CAAPPT5 • PAINTS • WALLCOVERINGS'
9 MAIN STREET SOUTH4SEAFORTH, ONTARIO NOK 1WO
PHONE: BUSINESS (519) 527.0902 HOME X619) 527.0062