| Now is the time to prun

NEWS photo Wakefield
REMOVING dead bleoms from rhododendron will promote new growth and more buds next year.

Wednesday, June 21, 2000 — North Shore News - 21

SP ETAL

livinaroen

e up after spring

HOPEFULLY by the time
this article is published we will
be enjoying the good weather
we missed in May.

In spite of the
cool, damp weather
most plants continue
to grow and the slugs
are having a field dav.

Turning over one
board in the garden
tae other day, [ was
able to collect

large slugs betore
they did any more
damage to my newly
sprouted bean plants.

The vast majority of spring bloom-
ing shrubs have now finished and this
is an idea} time to do some pruning
for renewal or size and still have time
for buds to form for next year. Dead,
diseased or old wood should be
removed to allow new shoots to
develop.

Removing the dead blooms from
plants such as lilacs and rhododendron
not only gives the plants a nicer
appearance bur also redirects the ener-
gy that would go into seed production
back into new growth and more buds
for next year. The woody stems on
lilac blossoms need to be cut back to
the first growth bud with clippers
whereas rhododendron blossoms can
be snapped off with your fingers. The
spent blooms are generally less sticky
after a few days of warm dry weather.
Be careful not to remove any of the
new growth buds unless you want to
do some pruning at the same time.
This is also a good time to check the
plants for weevil damage and set some
traps if necessary.

The first flush of rose blooms are
putting on a great show. Check the
buds and leaves for aphids, caterpillars
and other insects. Wash the aphids off
with a hose and as the leaves harden
up, the problem will generally disap-
pear. A few caterpillars can be hand
picked because they are always close
to the damaged leaves. Leaves that
show signs of black spot, powdery
mildew or rust should be picked off or
raked up and destroyed. Try spraying
a mixture of two ounces of liquid sea-
weed, two tablespoons of baking soda
and one teaspoon of dete: gent in a

litre of water on
your roses cvery tvo
weeks. ] ain told it
works better than
many fungicides.

fertilizer to produce new flower buds
and new canes. Compost, manure and
rose fertilizer will all help provide the
Necessary nutrients. “Two ounces of
slow release Nutricote
fertilizer (per plant)
Roy placed around the
drip line just below
the soil will provide
continuous feeding.
Additional applica-
tions of liquid
. 15.30.15 will give
sow tt quick results.
grows Many of the larger .
plants in the perenni-
al borders have
tarted to bloom and the taller
ones should be staked before they go
over in a heavy rain storm. Keep the
stakes and ties as inconspicuous as
possible and remove them when the
flower stalks have finished Mooming.

Gardeners are so busy with annuals
and perennials at this time of the year
they tend to forget their indoor house
plants. If you have house plants that
have out-grown their pots or the soil
is old and encrusted with fertilizer
salts, now is 2 good time to re-pot
them. They will have several months
to develop new root systems and put
on new growth, Move the plant up
one pot size only or shake out some
of the old soil and reot prune the
plant before placing it back in the
same pot with some fresh soil.
Incorporating three small bushy plants
into a larger pot always looks better
than having a single plant or bare stalk
in a pot.

As soon as your grape vine has
formed two or three flower clusters on
cach new cane it is best to prune off
any new growth one or owo feaf nodes
bevond the flowers. This will redirect
energy into fruit development and cut
down the amount of new growth. Tie
in any canes that you want for renew-
al.

June is the month for strawberries
and the beginning of the raspberry
season. There is still time to give your
plants a light application of fertilizer if
you have not already done so. Placing,
a mulch under the clusters of straw-
berries will help to keep them clean,
off the soil and Jess likely to rot. Use
anything that drains well and dries

uickly such as straw, ground up fern

‘onds or coarse horticultural fabric.
Save some of the runners for renewing
a quarter of your strawberry patch
with new plants. Raspberries need to
be staked and tied as they become

Roses need plenty of — heavy with fruit.

NOW OPEN IN WEST VANCOUVER

Another TAL i US Gallery
of Home Enhancement Ideas

Experience our newest gallery-style

showroom, to discover the

many novel and attractive .

ideas for dressing up, -%

your home's exterior VJ

while taming the i272

elements. 4

Create the ambience

you desire in your outdoor *

living spaces with the help of

TALIUS Awnings. On sultry sumnyer :

days, you'll appreciate the protection from UV rays and
glaring sunlight. Your TALIUS Awning conveniendy
retracts, manually or electrically, to invite the sunshine
when you want it or to reveal the starlic night sky.
TALIUS Awnings provide idea! shelter on your terrace or
deck, working with the natural elements to set the scene
for stylish entertaining or a quiet escape. ‘

Our more than 25 years as a leading manufacturer in the
home enhancement industry ensure that you'll get not
only the best quality awnings, but also the professional
installation and the reliable, friendly service we've built our
reputation on.

TALIUS

IN A TURBULENT WORLD. AN OASIS OF CALM.

Serving the
North Shore
since 1986

‘Fabiicland Sevling Clob gay sie
Members Vali Hotline 875-9244 - ;

a

3-6777 © talius.com
HTES QWs ocak s 15s,
A Top Rollshutters Inc. Company