Down to earth: dr satish narula

This is the fruit development time in peaches; plum,pear etc. see the accompanying picture. You will see the fruit of peaches at this stage now. This is very crucial time for the fruit development. In case of any stress at this time,the fruit development will be adversely affected. The tree withdraws water from the fruit in case of stress. So keep a good supply of water,especially now when the temperature is rising with every passing day. Keeps the watering frequency at three days,full watering. In case of mangoes let it be at weekly interval.

I have a kind of shehtoot growing in my garden. They are in fruition now. What should be the watering frequency? When will these be ready?  
Kulwant Singh,Chandigarh
Let it be watered at weekly interval. The dropping of fruit will tell you,its ripe and ready. However,all the fruit does not ripe at the same time. You will have to select and pick.

There are a few caterpillars on my litchi inflorescence. What should I spray to kill them and also that the flowering is not affected.  
Swaran Singh,Mohali
Spray thiodan,dissolved at two milliliter to a liter of water. Repeat after a fortnight.

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I see white powdery mass on my kaddu  leaves. Some of them are drying too. What should I do?
Neena Gupta,Panchkula
It is due to powdery mildew disease. Spray karathane,dissolved at one milliliter to a liter of water. Repeat the same spray after a fortnight.

When can I transplant summer annuals? Is it too soon to do so? I have a few beds vacant and my seedlings are also ready.
Baljinder Singh,Chandigarh
You can do so now,immediately,if you are ready with your seedlings and beds.

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