The last instalment of the Root Awakening column for the month of March 09 was published today. In this week’s column, answers to three questions where provided. Coincidentally, they all dealth with problems encountered on edible plants.
The first question was about the occurrence of brown spots and lack of fragrance in pandan plants (Pandanus amaryllifolius). The brown spots could be due to a fungal infection that is commonly encountered in areas with low air circulation and dimly lit. The lack of light will also cause the plant to produce less essential oil which explains the lack of fragrance in this popular plant with many culinary uses.
The second question was asked by a gardener who noticed white woolly growth on his/her tomato plants. These are likely to be mealy bugs which is an insect pest that is easily eradicated with several repeated sprays of petroleum oil (summer oil) if the infestation is small. Large-scale infestation will be difficult to treat and it is better to discard the plant to prevent the spread of the infestation to other plants.
The last question was about how to get new basil plants. Basil can be propagated via seeds collected from the dried flower heads or via stem-cuttings. For the latter method, one has to use non-flowering stems for propagation. First, strip off the leaves near the cut end and ensure there are about two nodes. Next, stick the stem into a pot of well-drained soil and keep in a shaded area until new roots are formed.
