Q. What are the beneficial uses of comfrey plants? What is the Urdu name and can we grow it in Faisalabad?

A. Comfrey — botanically called Symphytum spp but also known as Symphytum uplandicum — is a fantastic plant for any garden where there is a provision of shade and plenty of water over the summer months. It has a rampant growth habit in many other, less hot, parts of the world but can be difficult to sustain here in Pakistan aside from the cool, upland/mountainous areas in the north.

There is no Urdu name for comfrey as it is an introduced and not indigenous plant. It develops an extensive root system known to penetrate as much as 14 feet down into the soil. This huge root system hunts out and then takes up many different nutrients and minerals, storing them in its large leaves. The leaves can then be used as mulch or turned into liquid fertiliser which is an excellent, all round plant food and soil conditioner, beneficial for the entire garden. It has been cultivated, on a large scale, in Bhurban (Murree), Nathia Gali, Simly Dam area and on a smaller scale in Islamabad, Kalat in Balochistan, the Lahore area and in Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab. If you give it the love and care it needs, it should grow for you as well.

Comfrey benefits the entire garden by creating a high nutrient feed for your other plants

Q. How is foliar feeding beneficial for plants and soil?

A. Plants benefit faster from foliar feeding than from feeding via their roots. The leaves begin to absorb nutrients/minerals within minutes of them being sprayed with foliar feed. Visible improvements in plant health are quicker too.

Q. I have noticed that the top layer of soil in my containers/pots has gone greenish. Is this positive for the plants? If not, kindly suggest some remedies.

A. This is bad news. The greenish build up can be due to various issues associated with over-watering/bad drainage or from the presence of excess nitrogen in the soil: the latter is often connected with the over application of nitrogenous fertilisers. If it is the latter, cut back on or stop using nitrogen-based interventions. If the former, improve drainage before your plants suffer and die.

Q. I thoroughly enjoyed your recent column on figs. It was extremely informative but you did not include the medical uses of this lovely fruit. Please do so whenever writing about fruit/vegetables/herbs in future.

A. It is gratifying to know that you enjoyed the column and I thank you for letting us know. However, please understand that this is a gardening column not a medical /health column therefore your well-intentioned suggestion cannot be taken up.

Q. Can we use any one material while mulching or is it necessary to use a mix?

A. You may use just one or a selection of your own choice.

Q. How can I keep seedlings growing and healthy?

A. Seedlings are delicate and must be supplied with specific light/soil/water/temperature requirements for the species being grown. These requirements vary tremendously among plant species and must be followed, strictly, at all stages of seedling growth. Requirements may differ, even if only slightly but once the seedlings attain maturity, care should be adjusted accordingly. Since I do not know the particular species of the seedling that you are having problems with, I cannot be more specific.

Q. Knowing that gravel/decorative stones make a good moisture retentive mulch for plants in containers I am considering topping the potting soil, in all my pots, with a good layer but I do not know how much to use. Please advise.

A. A gravel /stone mulch needs to be about two inches thick to conserve the soil moisture beneath. When it comes to pots/containers, small size gravel is more effective than stones: stones are better used as mulch around perennial plants, especially around young trees/shrubs. As a water-saving mulch both gravel and stones work well but — and this especially applies to gravel — makes for hard work when re-potting or re-placing/topping up garden soil.

Q. Can persimmons and pears be grown in Karachi?  If so, do they need any special care?

A. Persimmons yes, pears no. Persimmons need lots of water, on a regular basis, from the flowering stage right through to harvesting the scrumptious fruit which will, by the way, need netting against raiding parties of birds! g

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com.

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Published in Dawn, EOS, February 26th, 2017