Gardening tips: Handling your plant problems

Jun 20, 2008

Many people are experiencing a number of gardening problems, without knowing how to handle them. Let us look at some of the problems.

By Winifred Rukidi

Many people are experiencing a number of gardening problems, without knowing how to handle them. Let us look at some of the problems.

Root-bound plants in pots
As the plant grows bigger, the roots too grow and eventually fill the area in the pot. When this happens, it means the roots will no longer get enough nutrients and water and so the only solution is to remove the plant from the pot, cut back the roots half-way and re-plant them back in the pot.

Some pots are designed in such a way that the neck is too narrow for you to pull out the plant even after a good soak in water. In such a scenario, you have to break the pot and get a new one.

Plants not growing upright
Plants whether in a pot or garden, need overhead light. Once you see them bending in one direction, its an indication that they are receiving light from one direction. The solution with potted plants is to keep rotating the pot if you cannot move it to another area. If the plant is in the garden, you have to dig it out and move it to an area where there is adequate light. Tying the plant on to a piece of wood is wrong and will not help.

Crown and stem rot
This is very common in potted plants. Part of the stem and crown (head) turns soft before rotting. Usually, the problem starts from the bottom and is, therefore, termed as basal rot. The fungus spreads quickly and kills the plant. You have to throw the pot, compost and plant away. To avoid a repeat on the new plants, do not keep them under a lot of water.

Powdery Mildew
This is a fungus disease which grows on the surface of leaves, coating them with a white powdery deposit. It is not fatal, but unsightly and can spread to other plants disfiguring them. The solution is to get a fungicide like sulphur powder and sprinkle it on the leaves.

winnieruk@hotmail.com

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