The Root Awakening has increased its frequency. Instead of appearing every alternate week, the column will now be published on every weekend!
This week’s column offered answers to three gardening questions. The first one shed some light on the growth habits of succulent plants from the genus Agave (or Furcraea) which are popular landscaping plants here. These plants are rather long-lived but they do produce flower spikes when mature. When they do, they flower terminally and the mother plant dies. The plant produces numerous baby plants that perch on the branches of the flower spike and these can be used for propagation.
As these plants are spiny, it is best to avoid growing them in high traffic areas. Although I do not know that the spines contain any toxin, any cut or abrasion caused by spine on the skin can introduce pathogens into one’s body.
The second question dealt with the dumbcane plant. This plant is a popular foliage houseplant once in Singapore. Due to reduced evaporation rates indoors, it is best to water the dumbcane plant only when the soil feels a little dry. Overzealous watering indoors can lead to a variety of problems such as rotting of stems and fungal leaf spots. One of the early signs of overwatering that can arise will be the yellowing of the plant’s lower leaves.
The last question was about the passionfruit. When the plant is fruiting, it is best to keep the soil moist at all times. Any form of moisture-stress, such as underwatering or overwatering, can lead to the loss of developing fruits. In such a case, young fruits will be aborted from the vine.
