Whanganui Chronicle

Q& A

- WITH GLENYS WOOLLARD

Why has my passionfru­it vine suddenly wilted, with fruit dropping off?

Passionfru­it vines are prone to several fungous diseases that cause wilting and leaf/fruit drop; the most serious one is crown canker, possibly brought on by frost damage, slug damage or plant injury. There’s no cure, and although fungicides might help with other fungous diseases it may be cheaper to replace the plant — passionfru­it vines are not longlived, usually lasting from 4 to 7 years. Tangled growth, too much or not enough water, and lack of trace elements can also cause problems.

What’s the difference between French and African marigolds?

African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) grow taller and may need staking; they have larger flowers and are more tolerant of hot dry weather. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are bushier and tend to have singlepeta­l flowers. Both kinds are actually native to South America, and both are frost-tender annuals, with a distinctiv­e aroma that repels mosquitos and other insects. Keep plants deadheaded to encourage more blooms, noting that shorterste­mmed flowers are good in a vase —strip off the leaves if you hate their smell.

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