Down to earth

It is now time for the chrysanthemum plant to get flowers. There are a few precautions that need to be taken in order to get the best results.

It is now time for the chrysanthemum plant to get flowers. There are a few precautions that need to be taken in order to get the best results. First of all,these are short day plants and should be kept at a place where they get enough sunlight. You can even keep your pots on the rooftop. Keep a strict vigil against insects that appear at the terminals. Also keep a watch for diseases that appear as leaf spots. It is important that leaves are not lost,as the plant should ideally have leaves till the base. While applying stakes to the plants,care should be taken that the stick does not touch the emerging bud so that the development is not stalled and the bloom is not lopsided.

Can we transplant the winter annuals now? What should be the height of the seedling that is suitable for transplanting? Subir Kumar,Panchkula

Yes,you can start transplanting now. The seedling is ready for transplanting when it shows a good growth,which is six leaves or more. It is not possible to specify the height of the seedlings of different species.

Some of the roses are still giving flowers. Will it be right to cut them now?

Santosh Kumar,Chandigarh

The bloom is not of a good quality during this season,and if you do not prune them the winter bloom will suffer. It is therefore essential to prune the roses now.

I got late for planting litchi. Can I do it now?

Pratima,Panchkula

It is a blessing in disguise that you could not plant litchi earlier. The best time to plant the fruit is October,so please go ahead.

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I had sown radish and turnip in early August. Some of it died due to rain and the rest is available for harvesting. Can I sow the leftover seeds now?

Manjinder Singh,Mohali

If you have got a good harvest it shows you had very rightly sown the desi variety. Yes,you can still go ahead and sow the leftover seeds.

(For gardening queries,

ASK DR GREEN at

satishnarula@pau.edu )

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