Cherry tomatoes | Photos by the writer
Cherry tomatoes | Photos by the writer

Q. Can I grow tomatoes in pots, in Islamabad? What is the procedure?

A. Yes. As we are fast heading in to the hottest time of the year, I strongly suggest that you sow seed for cherry tomatoes and not other, larger varieties. Cherry tomatoes are small in comparison to plum and beefsteak tomatoes, for instance, but they are also far more weather-proof and virus-proof. The sheer volume of tomatoes they are capable of producing, more than makes up for their size.

Sow seed, try to space it at least two inches apart, just under the surface of good quality, humus-rich organic compost mixed at a ratio of 50:50 with sweet earth, in seed trays/pots. Keep the trays/pots moist but not wet; overly wet soil/compost leads to seedlings rotting/damping off and dying. When seedlings have developed four to six true leaves, above the initial seed leaves, carefully transplant them, one plant per 10-inch clay pot filled with the same soil/compost mix. Also insert a strong cane — or something similar about three feet to four feet tall — to tie the plants to as they grow.

All your gardening queries are answered here

Transplanting should be done in the cool of the evening and the transplants watered well immediately. Tomato plants are brittle so handle with care. Water the soil around the plants each evening. Once they begin to flower, feed them, once a week, with an organic liquid fertiliser — this can be home-made compost tea or a seaweed-based purchased liquid tomato food diluted to the specifications on the bottle. Continue feeding weekly right through until harvesting is over in a few weeks, possibly even a few months’ time.

Tie the plants to their individual canes, using soft cotton twine so as not to damage the plant stem, as they grow. Some people swear that nipping out sideshoots to encourage the plant to gain rapidly in height is the best method, followed by nipping out the top-growing shoot when five to six bunches of tomatoes have set, but as long as they don’t get too overcrowded. I simply let them be as I think nature knows best. When temperatures soar above 35oC, move the plants into light shade and, when summer monsoon rains are around, move them to a place where they are protected from potentially damaging downpours.

Oriental lily — Snowflake
Oriental lily — Snowflake

Q. The flowers on my tomato plants dry up and fall off. Do I need to spray them with something? I live in Rawalpindi.

A. Tomato flowers dry out and drop off if plants are not being watered often enough or — and let’s hope this is the case — they have already been fertilised and tomatoes are beginning to form. No need to spray with anything at all but please water regularly and feed your plants following the instructions provided in the answer to the previous question.

Q. What is the local name of Red Silk Cotton trees? When and how many inches apart should I plant it?

A. Silk cotton tree (botanical name Bombax malabaricum) is generally known as Sumbul in Urdu. Saplings should be planted at least 12 feet to 15 feet apart and are best planted out over the winter months, although, if pot-grown, they can be planted out during the summer monsoon.

A healthy watermelon plant
A healthy watermelon plant

Q. What is the Urdu name for Cassia Grandis and can it be grown in Karachi?

A. Cassis Grandis (Pink shower, Rain tree or Horse cassia) grows well in Karachi and established specimens can be seen in DHA, Phase 2. Sorry, but I don’t know its Urdu name.

Q. My wife loves white lilies and I want to grow these, along with some other lilies too, in our Islamabad garden. Where can I get them, when to plant and what soil and care do they need?

A. Lily bulbs are usually available in garden supply stores during late autumn or early winter which, in your location, is the correct time to plant them. You should be able to find them in many colours, including white. Lilies enjoy light shade, such as underneath a tree, and soil/compost should be rich in organic matter and well-draining. If lily bulbs get waterlogged or are over watered, they will rot away to nothing, so please water them sparingly.

Q. Last winter, I purchased a barna tree, a toona ciliate and a dhaak tree from a nursery in Rawalpindi and carefully planted them in my garden. I was unable to judge how healthy the trees were when I bought them as I do not have any previous experience. The problem is that none of them have grown any leaves and summer is already knocking at the door. When I scratch the lower portion of their trunks, I can see they are still green. These were expensive plants and I am worried. What can I do?

A. Please be patient. The saplings should have come into full leaf by now but trees can be surprisingly temperamental. As long as the trunks are green, they are alive so leave them be and keep your fingers well and truly crossed.

Q. I bought a watermelon from the market a few days back and, when I cut it, I was taken aback to see that part of the pulp was stuck to the rind at one end while the rest was an inch or so apart. What could be the cause: faulty seed, pest, lack of soil nutrients, irregular watering or something else?

A. Yuk! I am not at all sure of the cause but it sounds scary. I hope you didn’t eat it!

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, EOS, May 12th, 2019

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