Down To Earth

It is very important to understand the nature of a tree before growing it in your garden. For instance,the Araucaria cookii is always bent towards one side.

It is very important to understand the nature of a tree before growing it in your garden. For instance,the Araucaria cookii (the Christmas tree as we know it) is always bent towards one side. True: it can never be straight. The reason is that generally,these trees are grown in pots for the first few years,before they are transplanted to the ground. So,with weak roots (that have grown inside the pots) and heavy heads,they develop a tendency to bend onto a side,even posing danger to life and property. Therefore,these should never be planted near the house entrance or as avenue trees or in parks.

I have planted an anar tree in my orchard but when it bears fruits,they get damaged. Please advise me what to do?

Vijay Nanda on email

Anar gets spoiled during May-June and also during the rainy season because of the attack of fruit borer or anar butterfly. A simple and cheap home remedy is to cover the fruit with a paper bag and secure it with thread.

In case the paper gets spoiled,replace it. You will get good sized fruit,which is healthy.

I want to grow Amarpali mango,peach and ber plants. I want hybrid plants so that less space is occupied. I live in Mohali. Where can I get them?

Ranbir on email

For any fruit plants,contact Punjab Agriculture University or the nurseries run by the Department of Horticulture,which are spread all over the state. It is better to get a fruit plant from a far off secured place rather than from an unspecified place. You will know the result only after 4-5 years of efforts.

Where can I get heliconia?

Idha Sood (Ludhiana),on email

For heliconia,you can contact any nearby nursery and ask them to arrange one for you.

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Not many people know about this plant,so it is not procured by nurseries for sale. You can get one on order.

Question: My garden is frequently visited by an insect that has a shining red back with black spots. Its belly is black and the insect is round shaped. Is it some harmful insect and if so,what is the remedy?

Manjit Kaur,Mohali

The insect you have described is a Lady Bird Beetle. It is a friendly insect,so shed your worry. It feeds on aphids.

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

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Christmas Eve