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ASK MONTY

Q

How can we get rid of woolly aphids on our apple trees?

S Hayes, Derbyshire

A

The best defence against these sap-sucking insects i sto encourage predators such as blue tits, ladybirds and lacewings.

Q

One of my hydrangeas didn’t bloom this year but the other did. I don’t know what kind they are. Can you help?

Ken Sharp, Nottinghamshire

A

The two main types of hydrangeas, lacecaps and mopheads, flower on the previous year’s wood. So if you prune them in spring they may not flower.

H. arborescens and

H. paniculata, however, flower on new wood, so should be pruned hard in March. If in doubt, don’t prune!

Q

My lemon tree spent the summer on the patio, where it flowered and produced some small lemons. Now I’ve brought it into the greenhouse it’s shedding fruit and leaves. Why is this?

Christine Smith, South Yorkshire

A

It’s probably either too wet or too dry. Once inside, let it dry out and only water once a month. The air should be about 10°C and humid, so spray the leaves with a mister once a week. Start watering and feeding in spring once you see new growth, and prune in May once it’s outside and growing strongly.

Write to Monty Don at Weekend, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email monty.don@dailymail.co.uk. Please include your full name and address. We regret Monty can’t reply to letters personally.

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