My sugar beans have swollen stems and collapse within days. What could be the cause?

The major pest of sugar beans is the bean stem maggot which causes the symptoms you have described. The maggot of this pest is the one which causes a swollen stem. To control this pest the following products can be used; Diazinon 30 EC, Orthene Ultra or Apron Star.

I have a bad problem with my tomato fruits which rot at the end side when they are about to ripen. What could be the cause of this?

This problem is called blossom end rot and it is a nutrient deficiency caused by lack of calcium. The tomato plant has a high demand for calcium and it is advisable to apply foliar sprays of Calcium Nitrate when the plants start producing fruit. Gypsum can also be used at planting just to raise calcium levels in the soil. Paprika can also be affected by blossom end rot.

This year our tomato plants started drying up from the bottom upwards and had small brownish spots on the stems, braches and leaves as well as the fruit. What is causing this problem?

Blights are the major diseases of tomatoes as well as potatoes. Remember the Irish Potato famine; this was caused by late blight. However, what you have described sounds like early blight of tomatoes and this can be controlled by using preventive sprays of copper based fungicides such as Copper Oxychloride or Kocide and Dithane M45. These sprays should be applied on a weekly basis. When the disease is noticed curative sprays of folicur, score or ridomil should be applied.

I have grown guava tree for years but recently all the fruits upon ripening they rot and fall off and I lose almost all the fruits through this problem. How can you help?

This is caused by a pest called fruit fly. As the name suggests it attacks most fruits such guavas, mangoes, grapes, peaches, apples and citrus. The adult fly stings the fruit and deposit eggs in the fruit. What causes the rot is the larvae which hatch from the eggs. The larvae feed inside the fruits and when they are ready to pupate they fall out to the ground. Secondary infections also take place on the fruits. Sprays of Malathion or Lebaycid will control this problem. All fallen fruits should be removed and buried.

My maize crop has grown quite well but a few weeks before tasselling the leaves have patches of white markings and sometimes the growing point is severely affected and collapses – like a rot.

This is typically maize stalk borer damage. A maize crop should be treated with Thionex 1% granules or Dipterex. A pinch should be applied on the maize funnel 6 – 8 weeks after emergence.

Can I use compound D as a basal fertilizer for tobacco?

The answer is no because compound D contains chlorine. Each crop has specific requirements in terms of fertilizers but all crops will need NPK in different ratios. Tobacco compounds should be used for tobacco basal fertilization.

Can Foliar fertilizers substitute basal fertilizer in all crops?

Foliar fertilizers should only be used as supplements to basal fertilizers. Examples are foliar feed, wuxal calcium, lignofeed Zink or solubor. The foliar fertilizers act as a tonic and should be used as such.

I am a potato grower and I have had problems in planting potato seed. The crop is not uniform and some plants are 4 cm high whilst some are still emerging. How can you assist?

All potato seed should be sprouted before planting. There is a hormone or chemical which does this job. On needs to have gibberellic acid to achieve maximum sprouting. Only 32 ml in 100 liters of water is enough to treat potato seed enough for 1 hectare.

Where am I going to collect my order if I buy your products?

For Fertilizers our sales order clerks will advise you where to collect from. Chemicals are collectable from our Coventry Road Depot and the various outlets as shown on the map.

How do I get the prices and availability of products?

Phone sales department and sales representatives for assistance on the numbers displayed.

Do you deliver if someone buys large quantities?

We will always assist by referring customer to cheaper transporters for fertilizers as we do not have the capacity, but for chemicals we deliver within Greater Harare. For distances outside Harare we arrange transport for your account.

Do you have other outlets outside Harare?

We have depots and stockists countrywide as shown on the map. Follow the 'ZFC Sales Contacts' link to view these details.