Check your Roses for the dreaded Downy Mildew

If you notice your rose leaves dropping off for no apparent reason, you better believe that the sneaky fungus, Downy Mildew, is the culprit. With this really wet weather that we have been experiencing you would be wise be vigilant about keeping an eye on things and if you notice leaf drop occurring, get down and dusted with a copper fungicide.

It is essential to REMOVE ALL FALLEN AND INFECTED LEAVES so that the raindrops do not splash on the spores and bounce them back up to infect new leaf growth.

Downy Mildew is a group of fungal diseases that affect a wide range of plants, including roses, ornamentals and fruit trees, and being suppliers of quality plants, we want to ensure that your plants continue to grow in good health.

Apart from leaf drop, symptoms that indicate that a plant has been attacked include dark patches on top of the leaves, often with corresponding furry or downy growth on the undersides and even on stems. These tufty growths may be purplish in colour.

As the fungal spores can only germinate in moist conditions do everything possible to reduce moisture on the leaves by avoiding overhead watering and plant in situations where there is plenty of air circulation. Mulching around plants helps to prevent spores in the soil reaching the leaves.

A fungicide such as Shield or Super-shield must be sprayed three times, three days apart, preferably before the rain. This breaks the reproduction cycle of the spores and is much more effective than an ongoing fortnightly spraying programme. This gives protection against a wide range of fungal diseases and is suitable for use on fruit, vegetables and ornamentals. Ensure that it is a broad spectrum fungicide and that it contains a wetting agent. When applying a fungicide, take special care to contact the undersides of leaves

   Meet The Pear Family!

Did you know that the Pear Family - Pyrus - consists of both edible as well as ornamental species. The use of the edibles is obvious, and the reason for planting the ornamentals has got to be their stunning spring blossoms, autumn foliage and great stature as specimen trees.

Let's start with the edibles.

A pear that is at the peak of its ripeness is really hard to beat - especially if you have been able to pluck it from the tree in your own garden. There are so many varieties of this wonderful genus, that there is surely one to suit all tastes. From the firm and crunchy to the soft and juicy they are superb for eating fresh and there are so many yummy ways in which to incorporate them into other dishes.  The pear tree lends itself well to Espalier and nowadays one can purchase a tree that has three varieties grafted onto it - imagine that - three in one!

Some favorite ways to serve pears include:  

• Combine pears with mustard greens, watercress, steamed leeks and walnuts for a delicious salad.
• Serve pears with goat or blue cheese for a delightful dessert.
• Add chopped pears, grated ginger and honey to porridge or muesli for a pungently sweet breakfast treat.
• Core pears, and poach in apple juice or wine for a de1ectable dessert.

The ornamentals include such beauties as:

Pyrus calleryana which has glossy leaves that create a wondrous autumn display. It is a spreading tree that has white, scented blossoms en masse in the springtime and makes a fabulous avenue tree.

Pyrus ussuriensis is a smaller tree that has a conical crown and yellowish leaves that turn crimson-bronze in the autumn.

Pyrus salicifolia is a special tree with silver-gray long narrow leaves that are covered in a silky down. The overall effect is graceful and weeping. White blossoms in spring followed by small inedible fruits.

Does anyone know where the expression "Its gone pear-shaped" came from? Because I think that the shape of the pear is positively perfect!