Gardening: Your problems solved by Brian Kidd (March 22)

Q: We have decided to plant a mimosa tree but want to keep it so it doesn’t grow too high. How can we do it? G and PH, Southsea.

A: The secret is to prune it to the shape you want as soon as it finishes flowering. Prune all the shoots whether they flowered or not and to a bud facing inwards rather than one which will make the branches grow outwards. This will keep the tree the same shape as a Lombardy poplar, a fastigiate shape. The lovely thing about mimosa is everyone admires them and it is possibly the most attractive evergreen tree.

Q: My hollyhocks have seedlings alongside the parent plant. I am going to pot them up. How can I prevent rust disease please? SL, Leigh Park.

A: Good idea to pot them on. To prevent rust disease use a spray called Systhane, available as a ready-to-use spray. Start at the end of April and spray once a month when the plants are in the shade.

Q: I started my seed potatoes off in egg boxes as you suggested but we had three weeks’ holiday and when we came home the shoots were all tangled and weak. Shall I pull the shoots off? GS, Cosham.

A: Yes and give the tubers more light. New shoots will emerge so that they can be planted during mid April.

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