Q. I have a very narrow backyard, approximately six by 30 feet. I grow vegetables there but plant growth is very slow and pests are a major problem. I have tried both organic and synthetic fertilisers as well as chemical sprays but these did not help plant growth. Can you suggest a solution?

A. For healthy plant growth — irrespective of whether or not the plants are vegetable, flower or fruit bearing — it is important that soil health is good and that the growing area receives at least six hours direct sunlight each day.

You have mentioned that plant growth is slow: this indicates a serious lack of one or both of the two aforementioned necessities. If there is sufficient sunlight, increasing soil health is the key to success. This can be done by adding lots of organic compost, a generous amount of old, well rotted, organic manure and some new sweet earth as well.

Answers to your gardening queries

If there is a lack of sunlight then you need to concentrate on cultivating shade-loving species only. Pests and diseases tend to hone in on stressed plants. Using fertilisers of any kind is not enough to compensate for poor soil condition and a lack of sunshine. Review your growing area, take the hours of direct sunlight into consideration and plant accordingly.

Q. We have a medium-sized chiku tree in our garden in Karachi. The problem is that a few weeks ago a chameleon took up residence in it. Please suggest a home remedy to get rid of it.

A. I am guessing, like so many other people, you are afraid of the chameleon. Don’t be! It may make you jump by moving suddenly but it will not harm you in any way. Actually it is your friend as it is merrily snacking on bugs which may otherwise eat your chikus. Though it may be hard for you, try to ignore it. It will migrate once it has devoured all the bugs it can find.

Q. About 10 to 12 years ago we planted five Gul- mohar trees in front of four neighbouring family homes in Karachi. Three of them are flourishing and flowering in the hot months but the other two, while growing rapidly, have not flowered at all. These two also have a different growth pattern than the others: they grow in an umbrella shape.

I’ve acted on all kinds of advice to make them flower but without results. Finally, in desperation, I cut these two trees down to half their length, leaving only the main trunks. These trunks are now sprouting new growth but I am concerned that they will also grow — without flowering — again. What can be done to make them grow in a ‘normal’ shape and for flowers to bloom?

A. From what you have described, I am wondering if the two trees with a different growth pattern are Gulmohar at all. Perhaps they are a different species but I cannot say which species this may be without much additional information.

As long as soil conditions are good and the trees remain healthy, leaving them alone and patiently waiting to see what kind of flowers they bear would have been the best thing to do, but since you have cut them drastically it sounds that you will just have to wait until they recover and see what happens then.

Cutting them down so brutally was a mistake — it may now take a few years more until the species can be identified for sure. If they are not Gulmohar but something else, you cannot make them grow in a different shape than is natural for them and neither can you make them flower before they are ready to do so themselves.

Q. When you talk about the size of a pot e.g. 12 or 16 inches, am I correct in presuming that this is the measurement of the diameter?

A. Yes. Plant pot measurements always refer to the diameter.

Q. Will Epsom salts help my container-grown plants? Please guide me on this.

A. Dissolving one tablespoon of Epsom salts — this is naturally organic and high in magnesium and other essential trace elements — in three litres of warm water is a great all-round plant tonic. It should be used just once a month and can be either watered/sprayed directly on the soil or the plants.

It can boost overall plant health, and vegetable and fruit production tremendously, and is especially good for plants such as tomatoes, capsicums and roses.

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include your location. The writer does not respond directly by email. Emails with attachments will not be opened.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 13th, 2016