The second and last instalment of the Root Awakening column for the month of November was published in Straits Times Life! on 22 Nov 2008. Some insights were provided for the three gardening questions sent to me by Straits Times Life! readers.
The first question was about pest infestation, probably one brought about by scale insects, which was found on basil. Because basil is grown for good, I usually opt to use organic methods to deal with such pest problems. One can try using strong water jets to wash pests off the plant (for mealy bugs and and aphids). Alternatively, one can also apply a dilute soap solution or summer oil emulsion on the plant. The latter two methods work by suffocating the pests and can be use on mealy bugs, aphids and scales.
When infestation is heavy, it may be easier and makes more economical sense to discard a plant when the pest problem becomes too severe. Leaving an infested plant can provide an avenue for pests to spread to neighbouring plants.
The next question touched on the cultivation of roses. Roses are a popular favourite among Singaporeans. However, it is a mistake to grow them in a place that is too shady. Most flowering shrubs which include roses, require direct sunshine to grow. In the highrise apartment, they should be situation just before the window or balcony ledge where it can receive 4 to 6 hours of direct sunshine. Outdoors, roses can be grown in a well-drained location with filtered sunshine. The tropical sunshine outdoors can be too harsh on newly imported roses.
The last question was about common temperate and subtropical flowering plants that have a big fan base locally due to their ornamental value. Most importantly, Singaporeans must know that they cannot be grown in the long term under our lowland tropical climate. We can see alot of temperate/subtropical plants that are produced in large numbers to cater to the mass consumer market being sold in our local nurseries. They are best treated as display plants where one can appreciate the blooms/foliage/plant during its useful life. Once a plant starts to decline, they should be dispose off accordingly.
