Re: Help (needed in Greece)

At 11:11 AM 6/11/00 -0400, Martin Jones wrote:
 >>Small village garden in Southern Greece (36oN, 11oE) which was already 
established when I took it over.  The major problem is coping with almost 
too many plants in a restricted space.  The situation is ideal  west facing 
at 230 meters altitude, 2km from sea with morning sun not reaching the 
garden until 10.00am. In general the major tasks are keeping everything 
within bounds once the summer growing season starts.<<

Martin -

In responding to your message, I am also cc'ing to the Medit-Plants e-mail 
forum.  I would suggest that you subscribe to this forum also to see first 
hand any responses that the group may have to your questions.  I will ask 
that they cc you directly, but they may not always comply.  Information 
about how to subscribe to the group can be found at:
http://www.support.net/Medit-Plants/discuss/main.html
There is also information there about how to access the archives of the 
group, which you can do without subscribing, but only subscribers can send 
messages directly to the discussion (to prevent 'Spamming').
 >>One key element of garden is a very vigorous lemon tree.  It fruits very 
well but has too many in-growing branches,  when is best season to prune, 
how severely and how to avoid infection of open wounds ?<<

Citrus trees can be pruned almost any time, but the best is when they are 
actively growing.  In this way they recover most quickly and remain 
healthy.  General pruning techniques would apply - keeping the plant open 
for good air circulation, head back overly long and spindly branches, cut 
out those that cross others, pinch some for bushiness, etc.  Citrus bear 
best on the lower branches.  Also, bark that is suddenly exposed to hot sun 
can burn, and mey benefit from an application of water based paint (flat 
house paint the same color as the bark (tan) works well).  Large cuts 
should be trimmed enough so as not to promote rot, but not so close as to 
hurt adjacent bark.  Cuts should be made at such an angle as to shed water 
very easily, to prevent rot.  In mediterranean climates, it has been found 
that leaving cuts open to dry and heal naturally is the best route - wound 
patching often allows pathogens to 'hide' from view underneath and cause 
significant damage which is discovered too late to remedy.
 >>Pruning of vines, the other key feature is the vine, or rather the 3 
vines, providing essential shade for terrace.  Can anyone recommend a 
reliable book on pergola vines in true Mediterranean climate.  I have the 
RHS Wisley handbook but this is dealing with more temperate conditions and 
is only of limited help. Obviously the best books may be in French, 
Italian, (OK), less so if in Spanish or Greek!<<

Hugo Latymer's book, The Mediterranean Gardener, a good overall reference 
for the average gardener, has a good section on vines, lists the most 
commonly found in this climate, and detailing their traits, both good and 
bad.  There is a locally produced book on vines, by the Western 
Horticultural Society, which I've been wanting to review, but I have yet to 
find out how to obtain it (it is not sold in bookstores apparently.  if 
anyone in the forum has information about this, please let me know).
 >>Spraying the grapes against mildew so far has been restriced to benomyl, 
Is there anything better or more environmentally acceptable?  Bordeaux 
mixture is less acceptable (more messy) as one must clear away all terrace 
furniture before spraying.
Many thanks for any comments, Martin Jones.<<

I understand that it is the European races of grapes that have mildew 
problems, American races being immune.  Sulfur dust is usually suggested 
here, an application when the shoots are about 6in (15cm) and then every 
two weeks.  The cause of your mildew might be overhead watering from a lawn 
or adjacent garden, poor air circulation, or too much shade (full blazing 
sun rarely sees mildew when the foliage is kept dry).  Correcting these 
problems (if possible) might help prevent mildew without the dusting or 
spraying.

I hope this has been helpful to you.  Let me know if you have more questions.

Sean A. O'Hara                       sean.ohara@groupmail.com
h o r t u l u s   a p t u s          710 Jean Street
'a garden suited to its purpose'     Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
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