Down To Earth

Mango does not need regular pruning. Only very old trees are rejuvenated by heading back or to remove a branch. Plum is pruned every year. This should be done under the guidance of an expert.

I like gardening. I have a small kitchen garden which I try to tend. Unfortunately,it is plagued by slugs. Although I sprinkle salt over them,I still find a few crawling around. Usually by daybreak,most of these creatures are back in their hiding places,so the attrition rate is limited.

Is there a low-cost method to trap them during night and clear the trap in the morning?
Hari K Raina,On e-mail

Keep a basket inverted,leaving it a bit lifted from one side. If you can line it with a gunny bag,all the better as slugs like hiding in the dark. Otherwise,keep an earthen pot broken on one side inverted on the ground. In the morning,most slugs will hide in these and you can collect and destroy them in the morning.

We have a mango tree at our home in Indore. It is 15-years-old,healthy and green,but the problem is that it does not flower in spring. Neither has it borne any fruit till now. How can we stimulate it to flower and bear fruits. The tree was planted by my grandfather and we do not know whether it was grafted.
Hrishikesh,On e-mail

I am sure that your grandfather planted a seedling which may take a few years before it starts bearing fruit. You can expect the tree to flower any time now. Wait till March next year and let me know what happens.

I had planted iris a few days back. It has not shown any growth though I have watered it well. What could be the reason?
Vikas,Chandigarh

You were too late for planting iris. In winter,the growth rate is very less hence,the delay. Wait for some time and water only once a week.

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