Down To Earth

There are certain factors in the upkeep of a garden which really count.

There are certain factors in the upkeep of a garden which really count. A garden bed with oblique and zig-zag edge isnt effective as the attention is drawn towards the anomaly rather than the beauty of the plants within. Some gardeners put bricks at the edge but that is now an obsolete practice. It is better to give a clear-cut demarcation. One could use either the hedge plants,not letting these grow more that four inches high or use cana fence as is visible in the accompanying picture. The Cana fence in itself becomes a feature and gives the plants in the bed a disciplined and neat look as it also contains the side spread of the plants. With these small innovative additions,you can have an edge over others.

As the new leaves in my kaddu vine are emerging,they are being eaten away by a red insect. What insect is it and how can I control it?

Satinder,Mohali

The insect that you have described is the red pumpkin beetle that damages the new emerging vines. Spray sevin,two grams of which should be dissolved in a litre of water. Repeat the spray after a week to ten days.

I have an acalypha plant that has white green mixed leaves,which are twisted. I want to multiply it. How can I do so?

Rajni,Mohali

You can multiply acalypha by way of cuttings. Take eight to ten inches long hard or semi-hard wood of pencil thickness and plant it in the shade. Keep the soil moist.

I have seen profuse flowering of white bougainvillea and wish to have the same plant in my house. How can I multiply it? Can it be grown in pots too?

Rekha,Panchkula

Yes,you can have this plant from almost any nursery or else multiply it the way I have explained in case of acalypha earlier. It can easily be grown in pots too.

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My phalsa plant is flowering a lot at this time. Do you suggest any precaution at this time so that I get maximum fruit?

Gurpreet,Chandigarh

No,phalsa is a very hard plant,free from any serious insect pest or disease. Leave it alone and it will give you good fruit. Only keep an eye for white ant attack.

For gardening queries ASK DR GREEN at satishnarula@pau.edu

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