Down To Earth

The picture above is from the garden of a participant in a flower and garden show in Chandigarh.

The picture above is from the garden of a participant in a flower and garden show in Chandigarh. The small space has been judiciously utilised. The picture shows that the gardener knows what treatment should be given to different lit areas in the garden. The shaded area has an aesthetic pole supporting baskets that has nasturtium growing in it. Nasturtium is the winter annual that does well in shade. The bright colours have lit up the dark areas. The far end has a pair of statues flanked by palms that is another piece of attraction. Another point to note is the edging. Keeping the small area in mind,the gardener has wisely kept the golden Duranta edging very low and narrow. It adds colour to the garden and,being low,does not interfere with the garden annuals.

My rose bush was pruned in October. I have noticed new growth but,at the spot where it was pruned,the twig is black and dying. What could be the reason?
Urmila,Chandigarh

This is due to the die back disease that sets in if you do not cover the cut end with some disinfectant at the time of pruning. Cut the black area along with some of the healthy part and apply Blitox slurry at the cut end.

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I had pruned my roses very early,i.e.,in August. Now,when some of the buds have started coming out,these are being attacked by caterpillars. How can I control this?
Ramnik Singh,Chandigarh

The roses that are pruned prematurely have this problem of being attacked by heliothus. Spray Sevin two-and-a-half gram dissolved in a litre of water. Spray again after a fortnight.

Is it the right time to transplant carnations? Does it need any treatment?
Surjit Singh,Mohali

Yes,you can transplant carnations now. Dip the roots in Bavistin solution for about an hour and then transplant. The solution can be made by dissolving two gram of Bavistin in a litre of water.

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How much Rogor and Blitox should be dissolved for spraying?
Manju,Panchkula

Rogor and Blitox should be dissolved at one millilitre and two-and-a-half gram to a litre of water respectively.

For gardening queries,ASK DR GREEN @ satishnarula@yahoo.co.in

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