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Journalism of Courage
It is important to visit the garden on a regular basis in order to make sure that the plants are doing well and in case of any problem the required treatment is given on time. See the accompanying picture. The tree is attacked by stem borer (Inderbela species). The effect of the attack is multifaceted. The borer eats the bark,makes holes in the tree and also secretes harmful chemicals that disrupt normal movement of nutrients and water by damaging the conduction channels. The attack is observed in the crtoches,hollow spots and also where the branches are damaged or irregularly cut by using crude equipments like axe,gandasa and so on. Locate the trail of insects,which is the web of excreta under the cover of which it normally feeds. At the end of the trail you will find a hole. Inject insecticide like sevin/hexavin,dissolved at two and a half gram to a liter of water and plug the hole with wet mud. Use only the saw to cut branches.
When can I prune ber trees? Can I remove the big branches to lighten the weight?
Paramjit Singh,Chandigarh
You can prune ber in the next month. Yes,you can remove the big branches as the ber bears on the current season growth. Any new growth will bear fruit next year.
When is the phalsa fruit ready for picking? Can I propagate the plant from the seeds?
Sunita,Mohali
Phalsa fruit is available in the month of May. You can propagate the plant from the freshly extracted seed,but it will be better to propagate it from cuttings. The process is done between December and January,when the plants are dormant.
I am short of space and have to keep my plants outdoors. I have dracaena,dieffenbachia,asparagus,Ficus benjamina and arecanut palm. Kindly advise.
Usha,Panchkula
You can keep asparagus,Ficus benjamina and arecanut palm outside. Dieffenbachia and dracaena should be shifted indoors or else the foliage gets burnt.
How do we know about the harvesting time for chikoo? How do we ripen it?
Saurabh,Mohali
First thing to note is the size. You can scrap the skin a little and if it is yellow below,it is ready for plucking. Keep it wrapped in a newspaper in an airtight carton to enhance the process of ripening.
For gardening queries ASK DR GREEN at satishnarula@yahoo.co.in
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