Gardening FAQ #11 – What You Need To Know

In this article, In this article, we reveal what is bagworm moths, how to rescue Lady’s finger plant, what is this plant with white flowers and more.  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants indoor and outdoor.

Pest is the young of bagworm moths

I have bushy plants bordering my home unit. Recently, I noticed a number of small leafy bags where I discovered worm-like insects living in them. I picked them off, but over a few days, they multiplied. What are they and how should I eradicate them? Are they are dangerous and will they kill the plants? How should I prevent such infestations in future?

The pests are likely caterpillars of the bagworm moth. The larvae are enclosed in a bag constructed from plant material. In large numbers, they can cause mostly aesthetic damage to plants, but rarely setting back or killing the host plant.

To manage their populations, you can use an organic, selective pesticide called Dipel. It is based on Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki, which kills young caterpillars, and must be reapplied when it rains because the pesticide gets washed away.

Broad-spectrum pesticides like abamectin may also be used as they are more persistent, but are toxic to non-targeted organisms in the garden.

For suggestions on how to control another plant worst enemy, head over to our section on Weed & Moss Control.

Gymnocalycium cactus thrives in tropical climate – a common question in our gardening FAQ 

I have had this pot of cactus for more than 10 years. What is its name?

The cactus is known via its botanical name, Gymnocalycium anisitsii ssp. damsii.

This particular cactus species is quite easy to grow and adapts well to hot and tropical climate. It needs to be watered regularly and does well under filtered sunlight.

This grows in open areas in semi-shade under the protection of low bushes that have no or very few leaves where light filters through.  It grow best in soil which are rich sandy loam.  It often form large groups once you start.

One of the way to control the sunlight is to use growing lights.  You can read up my post on growing lights fixture where I show you the top 4 things you need to know.Planting a cactus whenever you want

In the video below, it listed down the top 5 common mistakes that you need to avoid in Cactus care:

1. Planting a cactus whenever you want
2. Planting a cactus in a too large container
3. Using wrong soil mixtures for planting a cactus
4. Watering a cactus whenever you want
5. The more light and higher temp. – the better it is for the plant

Turn-in-the-wind plant a short-lived tree

This plant grew in my garden pot. What is it and should I keep or discard it? Does it flower or fruit?

The plant is commonly called turn-in-the-wind and its botanical name is Mallotus paniculatus. It is a short-lived tree that features leaves with a bronzy-white underside.

It is a very common tree at the secondary forest edges in some of the tropical countries.

Turn-in-the-wind is native to East Asia, Southeast Asia to North Australia. In Singapore, it is a common plant which can be found in multiple habitats including secondary forest reserve, wastelands. hill parks and gardens.

Turn-in-the-wind proves to be a useful plant to human in various parts of the world. For examples, the root and leaves have medicinal uses while the bark and wood have been used in construction, making strings, matches, packing cases and paper pulp.

Turn-in-the-wind is an evergreen plant which appears in shrub to small tree form up to 15m tall. The leaves are simple and tripli-veined (where the lowest pair of veinlets are much more conspicuous than others above them) and are arranged in alternate to apically subopposite manner. The petioles are greenish tawny and rather long. The young leaves are initially reddish brown.

To protect this against a common plant enemy, head over to our section on Weed & Moss Control.

Plant with white flowers likely a chilli plant

I sowed the seeds of different plants in my pot and now, I do not know what this plant is. Its flowers are white. Can you help identify my plant?

The plant that grew in your pot is likely a chilli plant.

It is a good habit as a gardener to document what you have sown so that you are able to keep track of the seedlings that germinate.

If you want to grow this indoors under a controlled environment, read our post on Guide to Growing Tents.

Lady’s finger plant may have downy mildew

I have a lady’s finger plant and, recently, it stopped growing. On closer inspection, I noticed these white spots. What should I do with the plant?

The leaves of your lady’s finger plant are likely to have been infected by a disease called downy mildew.

It is a common disease in this plant that occurs during rainy weather, where sunlight is lacking and the environment is moist and humid. A lack of air circulation and plants being put close together also increase the incidence of disease.

Prevention is better than cure. Prune badly infected leaves. Organic fungicides such as Bordeaux mixture – a copper-based compound – can provide some control as it can be sprayed on leaves for a layer of protection.

Some gardeners report that baking soda solution can work too.

Test these fungicides on a small part of a leaf before spraying the entire plant to ensure it does not react adversely to the treatment.

If you want to grow this under a well-controlled environment, read our post on Guide to Growing Tents.

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Gardening FAQ #10 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we reveal what banana you should avoid, why good drainage is needed, how to check if you have healthy roots and more.  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants indoor and outdoor.

Snow Banana is not edible

I saw this banana plant with a flower bud in a community garden. What kind of species is it and where does it originate from?

The plant is commonly called the Snow Banana. Its botanical name is Ensete glacum.

It originates from mountainous areas in southern Asia such as Myanmar, Thailand, India and southern China. It can be grown in the tropics in the lowlands where plants do not grow as large.

The fast-growing snow banana is not so well known like many other species. It grows a strong, waxy and green-blue pseudostem. Its long leaves can grow to as much as 2-2,5 metres in size, with the stem able to attain a height of 3-3,5 metres. The plant is growing so fast, it sometimes reaches a height of one metre already after 4 months.

The seeds can be started indoors at any time throughout the year. The very hard seeds should be carefully roughen with sandpaper, be left to soak in water at room temperature for 24 hours and then be pressed 1 cm deep into moist cultivation soil. With temperatures at 22°-25°C, germination follows after 3-6 weeks.

Unlike the dessert and cooking bananas, the fruit of this species is not edible, with large seeds and little flesh.

Cat’s Whiskers need good drainage – a common question in our gardening FAQ 

Over the past few months, the leaves of my Cat’s Whiskers have turned yellow and there are no new leaves. The plants are beginning to bald. Do I have to uproot them?

The new leaves of the plant in the photo are chlorotic in appearance, where the areas between the leaf veins turn yellow. It is likely a sign of a nutrient deficiency, most probably iron.

Cat’s Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus) is a plant that does poorly in heavy clay soil that is constantly moist due to poor drainage.

Excessive moisture at the root zone can cause the leaves to fall and lead to nutrient uptake issues. Fertiliser applications usually temporarily alleviate the issue.

For a healthier plant, it is recommended you select a well-draining site where the plant can dry out slightly between each watering. You can do so by growing plants in containers or raised beds. This is a plant that needs at least four hours of direct sunlight to thrive.

Getting the best drainage for your container is critical for plants to look and perform their best. But what we’ve all been told about filling the bottom with rocks or cans, etc. is all wrong.  In the video below, it will show you why that doesn’t work and show you how to get the best drainage for your container.

Check if Chinese box has healthy roots

This flowering Muraya plant seems to be suffering as the growth of its leaves seems to be stunted. What should be done to restore the plant’s health?

The plant is commonly known as Jasmine orange or Chinese box. It is a popular shrub grown for its scented flowers. The lack of growth in your plant can be due to a number of reasons.

As this shrub needs full sun to thrive, ensure it is able to receive at least six hours of direct sunlight.

An unhealthy root system can also cause a plant’s growth to stagnate. If the soil the plant is growing in is clayey and compacted, roots can hardly grow. The soil needs to be friable and well-drained. You can work in good quality compost into the soil, but care must be taken to not damage the roots of the plant.

When you are doing this, do not remove all the soil from the root ball as this will lead to transplant shock. The surface of the root ball needs to be slightly loosened. If the roots have filled the pot, you need to transfer the plant into a larger pot or grow it in the ground.

If you want to do such transplant easily, you should explore using grow bags.  See my other post on grow bags.

Finally, check if there are pests and diseases affecting the roots. Prune diseased and dead roots. For pests such as root mealy bugs, you will have to drench or soak the root ball in a chemical pesticide such as cypermethrin.

For suggestions on how to control another plant worst enemy, head over to our section on Weed & Moss Control.

Moss Rose grows best in full sun

I found this discarded plant two years ago and have been taking care of it. I watered it every day and it grew healthily and bore flowers. What is the name of the plant?

The plant appears to be the Moss Rose. The botanical name is Portulaca grandiflora.

Moss rose plants are popular bedding plants sold in nurseries and home improvement stores in the spring. If you see any leftover annual plants on clearance in the summer, you might notice that the moss rose plants are usually just as lovely as they were in May, a testament to the plant’s toughness.

The succulent leaves of the portulaca are another clue to the wonderful drought-tolerance of this low-growing annual flower. Many varieties have semi-double to fully double flowers that resemble miniature roses. Flowers come in hot colors, like yellow, orange, red, and bright pink. White, cream, and variegated flower colors are also available.

The plant grows best under full sun and in well-drained growing media. You can also consider using growing light fixtures to help you better manage the exposure to sunlight.

Plants tend to become straggly with age, but are easily rejuvenated via propagation using stem cuttings.

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Gardening FAQ #9 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we share on how to do 4-bed crop rotation, manage basket plant and how to manage plant fungal disease effectively.  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants indoor and outdoor.

Basket Plant spreads via runners

I took home this plant which was discarded by someone a few years ago. It was in a very bad state, but I managed to nurse it back to health. I left it along the corridor outside my flat and watered it twice a day. It grew very well and now I have several pots of the plant. However, I have not seen it flower before. What is the name of this plant?

This plant is botanically known as Callisia fragrans. It has a number of common names such as Basket Plant, Chain Plant and Inch Plant.

It prefers fertile, moist and well-draining soil and should be exposed to filtered sunlight for at least six hours a day. The lack of light will lead to floppy leaves as pictured.

If you want to have control on the sunlight, you can consider using grow lights fixture.

It sends out stolons, which are also called runners – stems produced on the soil surface that sprout a new young plant along the way. The young plants can be cut and potted separately once they are large enough and have produced some roots on their own.  To make this shifting easier, you can use grow bags during the initial planting.

The Basket Plant serves as a good candidate to introduce plant propagation via stolons to children and new gardeners.

Palm may be affected by a fungal disease

I have a few yellow and red palms in my garden. They are at least 20 years old. For the last few years, some have been “dying” slowly – they are rotting from within. The fronds started to decrease in number, the trunks began to shrink and soften and, eventually, the plants would topple over. Now, even the new ones are dying and drying up. But this is happening only to the plants growing in the front of my house. The ones at the back still look healthy. What is the cause of the problem?

Your sealing wax palm (Cyrtostachys renda) may be affected by a fungal disease called the Ganoderma butt rot.

To confirm whether there is an infection, look for fungal fruiting bodies at the base of the clump that resemble the lingzhi fungus. Affected stems will also show an internal discoloration when cut.

There is currently no effective way to manage the disease. As the fungus survives in the soil, planting another palm in the same location is not recommended.

It is best to practice “crop rotation” by planting another unrelated plant species in the affected site.

Check out the video below which talks about a 4-bed crop rotation system. It explains the reasons for rotating your crops. Crop rotation is a way of minimising pests and diseases in your garden by not planting vegetables from the same family in the same soil year after year. It looks at the nutrition needs of crops to make gardening easier and more successful.

Key points from the videos are:

• Split the crops into roots, fruit, leaves and legumes
• Don’t put the same type of plant in the same soil year after year
• Potatoes are great for breaking up new soils
• Legumes (peas and beans) have nitrogen fixing nodules so are good at building up nutrients in the soil
• Add lime and compost to prepare the soil for peas and plant the seeds twice as deep as the seed; up to the 2nd knuckle of your finger
• Follow legumes with a hungry crop like kale and lettuce
• Follow leafy crops with root and fruiting crops
• Carrots and parsnips and good for drawing up nutrients deep in the soil
• When beds are fallow, plant a green manure cover crop

For suggestions on how to control another plant worst enemy, head over to our section on Weed & Moss Control.

Princess Epiphyllum produces pink fruit

This potted plant outside my flat always produces flowers, but for the first time, I found this red oval that grew after a flower had withered. What is it and what can I do with it?

The plant is botanically known as Epiphyllum pumilum and goes by its common name, Princess Epiphyllum. Its scented flowers are produced in abundance and remain open during the day. The pink ball, produced at the end of the flattened stem, is its fruit.

You can harvest the fruit and grow new plants from the seeds within, although propagation via stem-cuttings is still a faster method.

Madagascar periwinkle thrives in sunny spot

What is this weed in my garden? Does it have any medicinal uses?

The young plants are probably those of the Madagascar periwinkle. The botanical name of this plant is Catharanthus roseus.

This plant grows best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It is an ornamental plant that is grown for its attractive flowers.

There are medicinal uses for the plant, but it is not recommended you self-medicate as the plant is highly toxic.

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Gardening FAQ #8 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we talk about how to grow best under filtered sunlight, handling of bugs, the plant not recommended for eating and top tips for home gardeners. Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants indoor and outdoor.

Medinilla plant grows best under filtered sunlight

I bought this plant, which had thick waxy leaves and blossoms of small pink flowers. It grew very well in direct sunlight for two months. However, of late, the leaves have yellow patches and the flowers have dried up. What should I do?

The plant appears to be Medinilla magnifica, which is known by common names such as Rose Grape, Pink Lantern plant and Chandelier tree.

The leaves appear bleached, which is a result of sunburn.

In general, this plant grows best under filtered sunlight and in a humid environment. For it to thrive, you may want to grow it in a location that provides the right level of light and in a moist but well-drained and porous growing media.

Damaged portions of the plant will not recover. New leaves that are produced will gradually replace them.

The video below show 5 Indoor Grow Light System Ideas.

If you would like to bring this indoor and nucture them under grow lights for a better control on the sun exposure, you can also consider putting them under grow light fixtures. For more details, check out our post on Best Growing Light Fixtures And Buyer’s Guide.

Billygoat Weed not recommended for eating

This plant started growing in my pot of orchids. I transferred it into its own container. Now, it has grown very big and tall. It does not look like a weed and its leaves smell like lemon. What plant is it and are its parts edible? 

The plant appears to be a weed called Ageratum conyzoides. Its common names include White Weed and Billygoat Weed.

The plant occurs here as a weed, where it readily disperses its seeds and grows in garden beds and flower pots. This is prone to becoming a rampant environmental weed when grown outside of its natural range. It is an invasive weed and considered a moderate weed of rice cultivation in Asia.

It is not recommended that you eat the plant.

For suggestions on how to control another plant worst enemy, head over to our section on Weed & Moss Control.

Rotate among pesticides, control ant population to deal with mealy bugs

I like to keep succulent plants. I notice that ants are attracted to sap produced by white mealy bugs on the echeveria, a type of succulent. I use a diluted malathion solution to get rid of the mealy bugs. What else can I do to prevent such an infestation?

Mealy bugs can be difficult to control on succulents. As there are many areas which mealy bugs can hide on the plant and some plant species are sensitive to oil-based pesticides, a multi-prong approach is hence recommended.

First, inspect your plants regularly and remove mealy bugs by hand or a strong jet of water.

Control the population of ants as they can help mealy bugs to spread.

You can try to rotate among pesticides to minimise the risk of pesticide resistance. You can make a diluted castile soap solution, which acts as an insecticidal soap that suffocates mealy bugs.

However, do check for phytotoxicity first before spraying on the entire plant.

Staghorn fern may have a fungal disease

Over a few months, I noticed that some antler fronds of my staghorn fern have turned black. Also, it looks like the shield fronds have a green substance growing on them. Are the issues due to too much watering? How can I save the plant? I had it for a few years and it was producing beautiful fronds until a few months ago.

Your staghorn fern is likely suffering from a fungal disease, which is common in this group of plants.

For now, you may want to reduce watering, but do not allow the plant to dry out totally. Apply a fungicide such as Mancozeb to treat the disease.

Depending on the species, give the plant adequate sunlight. The lack of sunlight can lead to weak plants and an overly moist growing environment which make the plant susceptible to disease.

If you would like to bring this indoor and nucture them under grow lights for a better control on the sun exposure, you can also consider putting them under grow light fixtures. For more details, check out our post on Best Growing Light Fixtures And Buyer’s Guide.

Bumps on leaves due to growing conditions

Are these salt-like crystals on my kangkong calcium oxylate crystals? Why do some kangkong have them and some do not? What should I do to prevent these unsightly crystals from re-occurring on my kangkong?

As shown in the picture, the bumps appear on both sides of the leaves.

It is a physiological issue called intumescence. It is not a disease. These are abnormal outgrowths from the leaf tissue due to an imbalance in water relations within a plant brought about by a faster water-uptake rate than what can be transpired through the leaf tissue.

These unsightly outgrowths are often observed on plants growing in an enclosed environment.

The bumps show up when susceptible species are grown under LED grow lights where ultraviolet light is deficient.

This issue can be avoided by growing plants under LED lights with suitable spectra, which can provide ample blue or ultraviolet wavelengths of light.

Some trial-and-error is required by hobbyists to find the most suitable LED grow lights for particular species.

For more details on how to choose the best grow light, check out our post on Best Growing Light Fixtures And Buyer’s Guide.

If the plant is growing under natural light outdoors, it is recommended to use a well-drained growing media and increase light exposure by spacing out the plants.

Do not over-water the plants during extended periods of cloudy weather, when light levels are low.

Increasing air circulation around the plants may help with the situation.

TOP TIPS FOR HOME GARDENERS

1.  To start, find a suitable spot in your home with sufficient sunlight.

2.  Recycle containers to grow plants. For instance, reuse an egg tray to grow seedlings for large plants such as tomatoes and winter melon. This wastes fewer seeds and makes transplanting them into pots easier.

3.  Vegetables and herbs such as Brazilian spinach, Indian borage, mint, lemongrass, shallots and basil can be grown at home with leftover stems. The stems can be placed in water to grow roots, then moved into a pot of soil. Place the pot on a windowsill with six hours of filtered or direct sunlight a day.

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Gardening FAQ #7 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we talk about mealy bugs and how to handle them.  We also talk about nutrient deficiency and included a video on what you can do  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants indoor and outdoor.

Jackfruit tree affected by mites or nutrient deficiency

This four-year-old jackfruit tree produced its first round of fruit last year. Since then, the leaves have become ridged. What is the cause and how do I correct the problem?

Distorted leaves in plants can be due to a number of reasons.

Microscopic mites, which are not visible to the naked eye and feeding on young leaves, can cause the leaves to develop abnormally.

If you have a high-powered magnifying glass, you can try looking for them in the creases of damaged leaves.

For such pests, you can spray neem oil or summer oil on young developing leaves to manage the population. Dilute the pesticide to avoid burning the foliage as young leaves tend to be more vulnerable to damage.

This could also be due to lack of certain nutrients, such as calcium, that are needed for growth.

Some nutrient deficiencies may be transient. It is necessary to ensure the growing conditions, such as soil moisture and fertiliser application, remain constant especially during rapid growth and flower and fruit production.

Ensure that the soil pH level is in the optimal range of your plant species and apply a layer of leaf mulch to conserve moisture and keep the roots cool. It also encourages beneficial soil biology that helps the plant absorb nutrients better.

The video below show you further ways to identify the leaf yellowing pattern and how to treat nutrient deficiency with the best fertilizer.  You can also check out the 7 best fertilizers here.

Hibiscus has mealy bugs

This hibiscus plant in my balcony has been infested with these pests. How do I get rid of them?

The cottony masses are mealy bugs, a type of sap-sucking pest. If the plant is attacked in large numbers by these pests, it can weaken and die.

To solve the issue, you can first use a jet of water to wash off adult pests.

Then spray a solution of summer oil or neem oil pesticide, which are organic pesticides with low toxicity, on all parts of the plant. It kills by suffocating the pests. Repeated applications are needed to keep the pest population in check.

Inspect the plants regularly and manage infestations – doing so reduces the likelihood of them spreading and becoming more severe.

Also, manage the population of ants in the growing area. Ants have a mutualistic relationship with mealy bugs and can bring the latter to your plants.

 

Basil may have leaf-eating pests and mint needs better growing mix

I grow herbs in my deck garden, which gets three to six hours of sunshine on sunny days. I noticed some of the leaves on my Italian basil look ripped or torn (Photo 1). Is it due to pests? I also noticed some plants have broader leaves and these plants are less bushy (Photo 2). Are the plants with broader leaves a hybrid? I also struggle to grow mint (Photo 3) in a steady and productive manner. I use shallow pots and organic fertiliser to encourage growth, but the results have been mixed. Similar to Italian and Thai basil, I leave them in the open so that they are exposed to plenty of sunshine. I also water them daily. I use good quality garden soil and compost, but with no sand. What am I doing wrong? 

Your basil plants are likely damaged by a leaf-eating pest. You may find it beneficial to do a “night patrol” to see if you can catch the culprit.

If the damage bothers you, you may want to protect your basil plants by growing them in a fine netting tent, which will help to keep most leaf-eating pests out.

As for the elongated leaves and lankier growth habit, it appears to be an adaptation when sweet basil grows in tropical Singapore. It could be due to heat stress. The plant needs a cooler environment to thrive.

As for mint, an ideal growing mix is one which is well-drained yet moisture-retentive. A mix consisting of just compost may be too wet and not offer the needed aeration the root zone requires.

You may find it beneficial to add gritty materials such as fine expanded clay pellets or pumice into the mix to help open the growing mixture. Some gardeners incorporate burnt earth too.

Mint needs to be harvested often to promote new bushy growth. Stems left to grow may become old and the plant can lose vigour over time.

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