Down To Earth

It is still early for growing such vegetables in plots where winter veggies are growing. Yes,you can raise the cucurbits in poly-bags to be shifted later as you will save time.

I want to plant calliandra. From where can I get this plant. Can I prepare it?
Shalini,Panchkula

Yes,you can multiply this plant by way of cuttings. You can get this plant from any nursery. Now there is a miniature type available with most of the nurseries too.

Some twigs of my mango plant are dried and show as if the leaves have been burnt. What could be the reason and how can I protect it?Surjit Singh,Panchkula

This seems to be a damage caused by cold spell,frost. You should remove the dead part and apply some disinfectant on the cut end. Now the weather will start opening and there is less chance of this type of damage

I suspect the attack of white ants in my dahlia bed. What should I do?
Mamta,Chandigarh

You can apply chlorpyriphos in the bed. For this you can fill the bed with water and sprinkle chlorpyriphos in it going round the bed. Whole of the bed will get treated. If you want to give per plant treatment then dissolve chlorpyriphos at one milliliter to a liter of water and add one plastic mug ful with this chemical solution at the base of each plant.

You can mail Dr Green your gardening queries at satishnarula@yahoo.co.in