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AFTERSHOCK

Judy Melinek & TJ Mitchell RRP $29.99

When an earthquake strikes San Francisco, forensics expert Jessie Teska faces her biggest threat yet in this explosive mystery. At first glance, the death appears to be an accident. The body, located on a construction site, rests under a collapsed beam. But when Dr Jessie Teska arrives she notices the telltale signs of a staged death.

HONEY BLOOD Kirsty Everett

RRP $34.99

Kirsty Everett was going to be an Olympic gymnast. But as she made plans to win gold, life, as it does, laughed at the goal she’d set. Aged nine, she was diagnosed with leukaemia and spent the next two and a half years in treatment and attending the funerals of children she met in the cancer ward. At the age of 16, Kirsty’s cancer returned.

THE SHADOW MAN Helen Field

RRP TBA

Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are locked in a flat. They don’t know where they are, and they don’t know why they’re there. They only know that the shadow man has taken them, and he won’t let them go. Desperate to escape, the three of them must find a way out of their living hell, even if it means uncovering a very dark truth.

QLeafrom Port Douglas asks: “I have a syzygium cascade that keeps having branches that die for no apparent reason. I planted the tree in April 2017. It is otherwise healthy, producing continuous new growth and a few flowers. Every so often a small section has appeared that dries out and dies. I have cut this section off, examining it for any pests or disease but have been unable to see anything. Months later, a new section begins to dry out. What do you suggest?”

cascade is indeed a beautiful shrub, Lea, and generally hardy. However, your plant appears to have a fungal infection commonly called “branch dieback”. The fungal pathogen is systematic, attacking the plant tissue.

If you cut the affected branch you will notice the unhealthy red tissue discolouration. All the affected branches must be completely cut out, back to the main stem of the shrub. The branches must be disposed of, preferably burnt. All tools used must be sterilised in bleach, after use, to prevent cross-infection.

Once the infection has been removed it is best to spray the tree with copper oxychloride. Do this three times, a month apart. With a little care you should be able to save your shrub and it will reward you with lots of pink pompom flowers.

Branch dieback affects a wide range of trees in the myrtaceae family. Stress can be the cause, particularly when a long, hot, dry period is followed by very hot, humid, wet weather; just as the summer season shaped up this year.

Next dry season, water the shrub deeply once a week and spray the foliage with a seaweed solution late in the afternoon, every week or so.

I hope this information helps you save your shrub.