Protect & Pamper

Nothing is more disturbing for a gardener,than to see the fruit of his labour fall prematurely.

Nothing is more disturbing for a gardener,than to see the fruit of his labour fall prematurely. I am talking about the kinnow and sweet orange. Plant protection measures should start four months after fruit setting and a spray of bavistin,dissolved at one gram to a litre of water at a 15-day interval should be done.

Can I do budding in roses now? What method is adapted for budding/grafting?
Balraj,Panchkula
It is too early to think about budding. The growth that comes after pruning is used to do budding. It is T budding method that is used to multiply roses. But there is another technology called buddage/cottage method,a PAU technology,in which budding is done simultaneously with planting of cutting. Both start at the same time and could save one full year in preparing the plant.

I want to plant fig. I have already asked a friend who has a good plant to give me some cuttings,which I will get in the next week. What precaution should I take,so that I do not fail in planting,cutting?
Surinder Singh,Mohali
Wait for another few months. Fig being a deciduous plant should not be propagated now. Cuttings are made during winter when it sheds leaves. The right time will be December-January.

Can you suggest the red variety of grapefruit? Where can I get one such plant?
Maninder,Panchkula
The name of the variety with bright crimson blush in the juice vesicles is Red Blush and is available with PAU at Ludhiana.

If I grow a Dusehri mango from seed,will it give the same quality fruit? What are disadvantages of having one such plant grown by me on my own?
Rakesh Kumar,Chandigarh

The fruit plants grown from seed may or may not be of the same quality and this is more so in case of open,pollinated crops. The disadvantages of one such tree grown from the seed are that it will not bear fruit for years together,will be too high for plant protection and also the fruit will be out of reach.

ASK DR GREEN at satishnarula@yahoo.co.in

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