Gardening FAQ #21 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we share when pollination is needed for fruit, what is indian borage and much more. Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants either indoor and outdoor.

Pumpkin may need pollination to fruit – a common question in gardening FAQ

I planted pumpkin with seeds taken from the fruit I bought from the market. It grew and bloomed, but the flowers dropped one by one and, to date, there is no fruit. Why is this so?

A pumpkin vine generally produces an abundance of male flowers which appear first on the plant. Female flowers come slightly later.

They have a “miniature fruit” behind the whorl of petals which is the ovary of the flower.

Male flowers do not have this and they do not produce fruit. As a result, they will drop off after they open and fade.

If your female flowers do not lead to fruit, you may want to check if there are natural pollinators in your garden such as bees, which do the pollination work.

The usage of garden pesticides and mosquito fogging can also lead to a lower natural bee population.

If this is the case, you can perform hand pollination – you take pollen from the male flowers and transfer it to female ones.

Below is a great video guide on this procedure on how to successfully find the male and female pumpkin flowers and then carefully transfer pollen from the male flower to the female flower.  After this successful pollination, you can then see the baby pumpkins grow to full size.

Plant is a close relative of the Indian borage

I was given a cutting of this plant. Its leaves have a strong lemon smell and are big like the Indian borage’s. However, the leaves feel papery. What plant is this? I was told the leaves can be made into a drink to soothe sore throats.

The plant is botanically known as Plectranthus zeylanicus. It is reported to be endemic to Sri Lanka and its Sinhalese name is Iruveriya.

There is some confusion over its identity. It is not to be mistaken for its close relative, the Indian borage (Plectranthus amboinicus), though the two species look very similar.

This plant is sometimes called “lemon balm” due to its citrusy scent. However, the true Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is another plant species altogether.

The Plectranthus zeylanicus is reportedly used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of ailments such as fever, eye issues and diarrhoea.

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

Wilting seedlings may be due to transplant shock

I got my seeds from the market sprouted very well.  However after I transplanted them into a bigger pot, they wilted.  What happen?

The issue could be due to transplant shock. When transplanting the seedlings, did you disturb the roots excessively, such as removing soil from the roots? Or was a clump of seedlings split apart to be planted individually?

Either operation will damage the seedlings’ roots and cause the plants to suffer transplant shock. Damaged roots are not able to uptake water for the plant and it will wilt as a result. If this is not managed properly, affected seedlings will dry out and die.

It is better to start seedlings in a seedling tray. They can develop a good root system that wraps around the growing media and be removed from the tray as seedling plugs with minimal damage to the roots. Seedling plugs can then be moved to their final location with a lower risk of transplant shock.

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

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Gardening FAQ #20 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we share how to recover from wind burn, what to do with aphids infestation, leaves with essential oils and much more.  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants either indoor and outdoor.

Lady’s finger plants infested with aphids – a common question in gardening FAQ

My eight lady’s finger plants have been growing well until recently. I notice small yellow insects crawling on the underside of the leaves and the plants seem to have stopped fruiting. I pruned the affected leaves and have been spraying neem oil on the remaining ones for the last three days. What else can I do to bring my plants back to health?

The pests are likely to be aphids – sap-sucking insects that can weaken plants when they are in large numbers.

Neem oil may provide some control by suffocating them. Usage of such low-toxicity pesticides will help attract natural predators to eat the aphids.

To provide effective control, ensure you inspect your plants regularly and apply repeated sprays of organic pesticides to reduce the pest populations. Good coverage of the plant is essential.

Do rotate neem oil with another pesticide that works in a different mode such as pyrethrins, which kill pests upon contact.

Removing severely affected leaves is a good way to reduce the pest numbers on your plants, but remember not to remove too many leaves. This can be counter-productive as your plant will not be able to photosynthesise efficiently to maintain the vigour needed for growth.

Bird’s nest fern may be suffering from wind burn

The edges of the leaves on my fern curl like waves and the tips appear pinched and brown. I keep the plant in a windy corridor and it gets some sun during noon. What is wrong with the plant?

Your Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) may have suffered from the drying effects of constant winds in your high-rise environment.

In such a situation, the roots of your fern cannot replenish the moisture being lost through its leaves at a fast enough rate.

As a result, the plant suffers from “wind burn”, where foliage first browns around the edges and may cause the leaves to dry up totally. The youngest leaves will usually be affected most severely.

To prevent or reduce the likelihood of wind burn, you may want to relocate the fern to a location that is protected from the wind, but is still able to provide the light your fern needs to grow well.

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

Leaves of a different shape may be from rootstock

I notice that this short red gorgeous flower plant has another species with a different type of leaf branching from the main trunk. I initially thought it was just another independent plant with bigger, purplish leaves budding from the ground. But on closer look and after removing some soil, I realise the two stems were indeed branches of the main plant. What causes this and what should I do to ensure the plant is not taken over by a parasite?

The plant is botanically known as Camellia changii and is a flowering shrub that produces attractive red flowers. It is sold as a grafted plant where its top portion, called a scion, is joined to a suitable rootstock, which is usually a different but related plant.

It is not uncommon for the rootstock to have dormant buds which may produce new growth.

The new growth found on the rootstock can be more vigorous and should be removed so it does not overtake the growth of the scion.

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

Plants belong to the genus Euodia, have leaves with essential oils

We have these plant in our garden. What plant is this and do they have any use, such as being able to repel mosquitoes?

This plant belong to the genus Euodia.

The one with longer and broader leaves is commonly known as Lacy Lady Aralia (Euodia suaveolens).

This plant contain essential oils that are reported to have mosquito-repelling properties.

Like many other plants with essential oils, their insect-repelling effects are apparent only when the oils are released into the surroundings.

This is done, for example, by breaking the leaves and vaporising the oils.

As such, intact plants may not perform as well as mosquito repellents.

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

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Gardening FAQ #19 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we share how to deal with aphids infection, what is true cactus and much more.  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants either indoor and outdoor.

Chilli plant infested with aphids – a common question in gardening FAQ

The new leaves of my chilli plant are infested with tiny bugs. I have washed them off, but they keep reappearing. What are they and how do I get rid of them? Also, I have grown this pomegranate for some time and recently discovered other plants in the pot. What are they and are they useful?

The pests are aphids – sap-sucking insects whose activity can cause young leaves to become distorted. In large numbers, they weaken your plants.

In small infestations, you can first use a jet of water to wash them off.

Organic pesticides can help in more severe infestations – summer oil or neem oil can be sprayed on the plant to suffocate the pests. Repeated applications are needed to keep the pest population in check.

Inspect your plants regularly for any issues and act promptly.

The plant growing next to your pomegranate appears to be a type of ginger. Break a bit of the leaf and smell it – leaves of ginger species contain aromatic oils and will emit a pleasant scent. From the appearance of the leaves, the young plant could be turmeric.

Euphorbia trigona is not a true cactus

This cactus has been with me for more than 14 years and is now 4m tall. What is its name? In recent months, some parts at the lower end of the plant have turned brown. Is this a sign of decay? I have treated it with pesticides.

The plant is botanically known as Euphorbia trigona.

Its common names include the African milk tree and Abyssinian euphorbia. Although it has sharp spines, it is not a true cactus.

It exudes a white, milky, poisonous sap when injured, which can cause skin irritation. Avoid any skin contact with its sap and do not let it get into the eyes.

The brown exterior on the older part of the plant is expected with age.

The brown portion should neither be soft and mushy due to rot nor become infested with scale insects, which can appear as brown raised spots that can be scraped away easily with the fingernail.

The top part of the healthy stem can be cut and propagated into new plants if you want a shorter plant or when the lower part of the plant becomes unhealthy.

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Gardening FAQ #18 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we share why bean seedlings wilt, if soil can be reused after sterilising and much more.  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants either indoor and outdoor.

Several reasons causing bean seedlings to wilt – a common question in gardening FAQ

I grew this plant from green beans. I notice the shoots bending downwards recently as I was watering the plant. Is this common or is it because the plant lacks water?

The wilting of your bean seedlings could be due to a number of reasons. They might have dried out. Do the seedlings feel floppy? As plants grow, their demand of water increases and it is important to keep up with their water needs by giving water promptly, especially during hot weather.

Next, check if the roots are healthy. Over-watering can cause roots to suffocate and die, which prevents the uptake of water. As a result, plants will wilt.

They could also be affected by damping off disease, which causes the seedlings to collapse at the base of each plant.

Another reason is the amount of sunlight it received.  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.

Apply neem oil to kill mealy bugs on plant

I have some potted plants that seem infected with mites. I have been applying diluted dishwasher liquid (one teaspoon in 300ml water) on the affected areas. It helps to get rid of the infection, but not completely. What can I do?

The pests attacking your plant appear to be mealy bugs. They suck sap from your plant and if they are in large numbers, the plant can weaken and die eventually.

Inspect plants regularly and manage infestations promptly. To manage the current pest population, you can first use a jet of water to wash off adult pests.

Next, apply a solution of summer oil or neem oil pesticide on all parts of the plant – the pesticide suffocates the pests. Repeated applications are needed to keep the pest population in check.

Snake plants lack water and light

I have some potted snake plants I keep indoors. Lately, the leaves of two of the plants became curved and lumpy. I always use a small water spray and sun the plants twice weekly. What is wrong with the plants?

The leaves of your snake plants (Sansevieria cultivar) seem to have some wrinkle lines. Together with the curling of the leaf margins, these signs suggest your plants may be lacking water.

Although the snake plant is often regarded as a drought-tolerant plant, it will be detrimental to its health if it has been allowed to dry out for a prolonged period of time.

After each watering, excess water should come out from the drainage holes at the base of the pot – this is an indication your plant has been thoroughly watered. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

The slight elongation of the new leaves may also point to the lack of light. Depending on the cultivar, some snake plants do better with several hours of direct sunlight. With sufficient sunlight, your plants will retain the attractive, compact growth habit expected of the cultivar.

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.

Soil can be reused after sterilising it

I had some basil plants that seemed to be infected with mealy bugs and I threw them away subsequently. However, I kept the soil in which the plants were grown. Is it safe to reuse this soil?

It can be difficult to advise if the pest that attacked your basil plants earlier is not known.

To be safe, you may want to sterilise the soil before reusing it to grow new plants. The easiest way is perhaps to put the soil in a large bucket and pour in hot water. The soil suspension is then allowed to cool gradually. Then pour out the water and allow the soil to dry.

You will need to break the dried soil into smaller bits by using a hand hoe. Incorporate soil amendments such as good quality compost to improve the soil. Some gardeners also enrich potting soil with organic fertiliser before growing new plants with it.

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

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

Plant from the melon family but is a weed

I saw this climber, currently bearing fruit. I cannot identify it. What is this plant? Can it be eaten?

The plant often grows as a weed in wastelands. It is botanically known as Gymnopetalum scabrum and a member of the melon family (Cucurbitaceae).

It is not known to have food uses.  Don’t eat it!

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Gardening FAQ #17 – What You Need To Know

In this article, we share how to handle low light growth, removing broad mites, star apple and much more.  Let’s go through the common gardening FAQ, problems and solutions you need when growing your plants either indoor and outdoor.

Bathroom too dim for spider plant to grow well – a common question in gardening FAQ

I bought this plant recently and placed it in my bathroom. I saw on a television programme that this plant is said to help absorb odours. But the leaves are turning black. What is wrong?

The plant is commonly called the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). It is a common houseplant that is often advertised to have “air-cleansing” properties, but its efficacy remains doubtful.

The leaves appear to be affected by disease and are sparse and droopy. This may be caused by the lack of sufficient sunlight that is needed for the plant to have healthy growth. The light conditions in the bathroom are often too dim to support plant growth and the lack of light will make a plant susceptible to disease.

The spider plant prefers to be grown under filtered sunlight for at least four hours daily. You may want to move it to a brighter place for it to photosynthesise for several days a week before returning it to the bathroom for display purposes.

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.

Star apple produces edible fruit and has attractive foliage

I saw this large tree with fruit near my place. What tree is this and is the fruit edible?

The tree is botanically known as Chrysophyllum cainito. Its common names include star apple, golden leaf tree and milk fruit. It is admired for its attractive leaves with golden-brown undersides.

When cut, the fruit has a radiating star pattern in its cross-section. The fruit, when fully ripe, is eaten as a fresh dessert fruit. It is reported to be sweet and best served chilled.

Ulam raja may be infested with broad mites

I grow ulam raja in a pot. I harvested some leaves recently, pruning the top of the plant. But now, the new leaves look crinkled at the top as well as at the bottom of the stem. What is the right way to prune the plant and how regularly can I harvest the leaves?

Your plant does not appear to be suffering from nutrient deficiency. Instead, it may be infested with broad mites which feed on new leaves and cause them to become deformed.

Do the affected leaves feel stiff and are easily broken apart? The undersides may also appear shiny compared with normal leaves.

Broad mites are commonly found on chilli plants and if you have infested chilli plants nearby, the pests may have been brought over by flying pests such as whiteflies.

Broad mites are microscopic and are not visible to the naked eye.

They can be controlled with neem oil, summer oil or a matrine-based organic pesticide. Repeated applications that cover all parts of the plant, especially the new emerging foliage, are needed to keep the pest infestation under control.

Prune the young leaves regularly. As the plant is an annual, it will die after flowering and seeding for reproduction purposes. By pruning the young shoots regularly, you will help prolong the plant’s life.

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

Indian rue needs a well-drained medium to thrive

This herb gives green bean soup a fragrant and unique flavour. But it is not growing well. What should I do?

The plant is commonly known as the Indian rue. Its botanical name is Ruta graveolens and it is grown both as a culinary and medicinal herb.

This plant can be a little challenging to grow in hot and humid environment.  It prefers a drier climate to thrive. You need to grow it in a porous, well-drained medium as constant wet feet can cause it to rot and die. The roots may need to dry out a little before you water it again.

The plant needs a sunny spot with either direct or filtered sunlight for at least four hours daily.

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

Or if you want to grow this under controlled lighting, consider using growing lights.  You can read up my post on growing lights fixture where I show you the top 4 things you need to know.

Crucifix orchid grows best in a sunny location and in a porous growing medium

What is the name of this orchid growing in my balcony?

This plant belongs to the genus Epidendrum and is commonly called the crucifix orchid. It is considered an easy-to-grow orchid.

It prefers a sunny location and needs a well-drained and porous medium. Locally, it is usually potted up in charcoal chips which permit fast water drainage and provide ample aeration for the roots.

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

Or if you want to grow this under controlled lighting, consider using growing lights.  You can read up my post on growing lights fixture where I show you the top 4 things you need to know.

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