The Fountainhead

Growing plants in a garden is not a big deal. The main thing is to to understand how to grow them and put them in the right location to enjoy the best of it. The succulent Nolina is best grown in raised structures or pots so that the asset of the plant,its swollen base is visible. In case it is to be grown in soil on the ground,the level should be raised so that the base of the plant is easily visible. See the accompanying picture. This is the best placement given to Nolina as the stalk and fountain like leaves are clearly visible emerging out of the swollen base. The base has been decorated with ground cover plants as well as river stones. When grown in a pot,Nolina may break it after the base has overgrown. Never grow it in raised beds. The side wall may give way.

* Q: Till when we should keep watering peach and plum? Will this plant shed leaves on its own or some external help is needed?
Prabhjit Singh,Chandigarh
The only external help needed by the plant to shed leaves is stopping of watering by you during next month. You can do so in the second week of November.

* Q: The winter fruit of mango in our garden was totally infested with insects. It was the maiden crop of this plant. Now we have small fruit developing on the tree. Will it also be infested or can we do something to stop it?
Mahender,Chandigarh
No,your fear is unfounded. The winter crop is not infested with insects. It is only the rainy season crop that gets infested with fruit fly maggots. The winter crop is more and of a quality better than the rainy season crop.

* Q: Can I start applying manure and fertilizer to mango and litchi?
Manohar,Panchkula
Wait till the middle of December.

* Q: Can I start transplanting winter annuals in the beds now? Till when can I do so?
Rajinder Kaur,Mohali
Yes you can start transplanting winter annuals provided these have attained right size in the nursery. You must do it fast as not much time has been left. They need at least a month’s time to grow before the onset of winter.

You can mail Dr Green your gardening queries at satishnarula@yahoo.co.in