We are getting calls from several gardeners telling us that,though they had removed the cuscuta vine from hedges,these have reappeared (picture). What is the reason? We advise gardeners to remove all strands from the hedge even if,in the process,they have to remove half the hedge from the top. A caller said yesterday that he had done that but when asked whether he had removed all the strands from the inside of the hedge and also cleaned the base,the answer was negative. Result: the amarbel,as it is called,has reappeared. Any strand left behind will multiply fast and cover the hedge or tree in no time. I have five pots in my balcony in which I have planted Ficus benjamina,coleus and cycus palm. Which pot should I water more and how? Sangeeta,Chandigarh You must water coleus more than all other plants as it wilts very fast and may die. In fact,it would be better to water these plants at night. Water these at least twice in one go (this means that you pour water once and,after this is soaked up,once again). I have euphorbia plant (the one that bears big red flowers at the end of branch). I want to multiply it. Which is the best time and way to do so? Ravish,Chandigarh This is the right time to do so. Take a six-inch-long cutting. Leave it on the ground till the latex dries. This will take two to three days. Then,plant it and water sparingly. It will give out roots in about a month. How is coleus multiplied? Which is the best time to do so? Maninder,Panchkula The coleus is multiplied by way of cuttings. The cuttings are made about five to six inches long. The basal leaves are removed and the cutting is inserted three-fourth in sand. It is kept moist. The cuttings strike root in a few days. At that stage,you can replant. When is cutting of chrysanthemum planted? What is the method to do so? Rajesh Kumar,Panchkula The chrysanthemum cuttings are planted in July. The method is the same as explained above in case of coleus. For gardening queries ASK DR GREEN at satishnarula@yahoo.co.in
