Nurse it right

If you are still visiting a nursery then it should be a final call for procuring any plants or bulbs. For fertilizers and manures, yes, you still can. The time for getting indoor plants finished a few weeks back and the time to purchase and plant bulbs and annuals is also almost over. If at all you are compelled to purchase some evergreen plants then go in only for hardy indoors. You can choose from Ficus species plants, asparagus, palms, monstera, philodendron, etceteras. Remove the container bag by gently cutting on one side or from pot by gentle tapping inverted pot on the rims, at the same time holding the plant in between thumb and fingers. Place it as such without much disturbing in pots adding fresh manure and soil mixture from the sides. Give water. Dieffenbachia, dracaena, caladium and croton are very prone to falling temperatures. Do not buy them.

Q: Can you suggest any variety of Kachnar that is evergreen. Where can I get it from?

Raghubir Singh, Chandigarh

A sturdy Kachnar variety bauhinia blakiana does not shed leaves and also bears bold pink flowers. You can get it from any nursery.

Q: Am I not late for planting annuals like nasturtium, antirrhinum, sweet williams and bulbs like gladiolus and lilium? Can I grow football lily now?

Monica, Panchkula

No Monica, you are not late for the annuals and bulbs. However, this should be your last call and you should hurry up. For football lily, you are too early. Wait till spring.

Q: There is no fertilizer available in the market except urea. What can I do?

Rashmi, Chandigarh

Even I am helpless in this. However, you can still wait till the last week of December.

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Q: Last year I missed heading back my mango trees that have overgrown. Can I start doing it now? If not, when?

Surjit Singh, Mohali

Yes Surjit, you can go ahead now.

ASK DR GREEN at satishnarulayahoo.co.in