GARDENS HAVE LOTS OF GOOD QUESTIONS

Gardeners, like doctors' patients and lawyers' clients, have lots of questions. Gardeners' questions pertain to our environment, landscaping, and any phase of plant material. These questions are noted and from time to time their answers obtained from various sources may be found in this column. Today is one of those days.

Q. What is meant by "hybrid" in describing a plant?

A. Hybrids are new plants created by the successful cross-pollination of plants with different genetic traits. Hybrids are improvements of other plants because they possess the more desirable characteristics of the parent plants. Seeds from a hybrid will not produce a new plant like its parents. Best to start with new seeds from a reliable company.

Q. Which seeds should be soaked before planting?

A. Morning glories, hibiscus, sweet peas and nasturtiums are the primary annuals that benefit from soaking. Most seed coats will benefit from soaking 24 hours prior to planting. Nicking the seed coat slightly with a small fire also will help early sprouting.

Q. When and how can geranium cuttings be taken?

A. Geranium cuttings may be rooted in sand, a peat pot or in a soil less growing medium almost any time of the year. Take a four-inch cutting one-quarter inch below a leaf attachment. Remove lower leaves. Insert about one third of the stem into the growing medium. Keep the medium moist, but not soggy.

Q. Please explain the meaning of folocopy pH of the soil.

A. One of the most important soil factors in the cultivation of flowers is the acidity or alkalinity (pH) of the soil. The pH is simply a measure of relative acidity or alkalinity on the scale from 0 (most acid) to 14 (alkaline) with a value of 7 indicating neutral conditions.

Q. What is the difference between cantaloupes and muskmelons?

A. Through modern usage, the words cantaloupe and muskmelon are used interchangeably. Cantaloupes are a different botanical variety, however. Muskmelons with netted, green or yellow-green rinds are generally called cantaloupe. Muskmelons require a longer growing season, have thicker flesh and store better than cantaloupes. Such muskmelons include Casaba, Crenshaw and Honey Dew.

Netted cantaloupes are best suited to our sort growing season. Varieties as Burpee Iroquois, Supermarket and Ambrosia are all good ones.

For bush-type variety, try Musketeer. Rocky Ford is an old standard and Sweet Dream is a newer introduction. If you wish to try honeydew type, Limelight is a good one.

Q. Are yellow or orange tomatoes less acid than the red varieties?

A. For years it was believed the white, yellow or orange tomatoes were less acid than the red varieties. While there is a difference in the taste, the acidity of these tomatoes has been found to be the same. The difference in taste has been found due to higher sugar content which masks the tartness or acidity taste. Acidity can also vary in tomatoes grown in different soils or in different years, depending on the weather conditions. Paste-type tomatoes are consistency lower in acidity than standard tomatoes. Roma is a good example.

Q. What is the cause of blossom end rot on tomatoes?

A. Blossom end rot on tomatoes is caused by a lack of calcium. If there is enough lime in the soil, it may be a lack of even moisture that is making the calcium unavailable to the plants. Prevent this by mulching and keeping a lot of organic matter in the soil.

Q. What is this about planting marigolds in the vegetable garden?

A. For a gardener's attack against root knot nematodes (most prevalent during hot weather) plant lots of French marigolds, says Linda Tilgner, author of "Tips for the Lazy Gardener". The marigolds roots exude a repellent and keep the soil extra high in organic matter. Beneficial fungi that grow in decomposing humus keep these pests under control.

Q. What can one do about the devastating slugs in the garden?

A. Slugs are a hazard in a mulched garden or in damp soil and have a special taste for new and tender seedlings. Slugs cannot tolerate sharp or caustic materials against their soft slick bodies. So spread circle of sharp sand around new seedlings, or scattered broken clay pots in their path of travel.

Give them a beer party. Pour beer into a shallow dish and spot them into the garden, slightly buried. They will literally drink themselves to death.

If you are feeling murderous, stalk slugs in the evening with a salt shaker. Sprinkle them good, or fill a spray bottle with solution of half water and half vinegar and spray on them.

Or, you can put a shingle in the garden as a trap. Each morning, lift the shingle and kill the slugs gathered there.

We hope these will answer some of your questions pertaining to your summer garden.