Q. I have tried to grow lavender many times, both in Lahore and Multan, but it dies in summer. Please let me know if you or anyone you know has managed to grow it from seed to flowering stage. Please share your experience.
A. I have indeed grown lavender from seed to flowering but, cultivating this gorgeous — and very useful — plant in Bhurban is a very different proposition than doing so either Lahore or Multan or, for that matter, in any other plains / coastal region of Pakistan. It has also been
grown, with good success, in and around Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Turbat and even, as I have personally witnessed, in Karachi. It is a matter of selecting a suitable variety for a specific location. Lavender is best grown as an annual plant in locations outside ‘Hill stations’ and should be autumn sown for spring flowering: It is unlikely to survive the intense summer heat and humidity of the monsoon in other areas. The variety I recommend you to try is a hybrid called ‘Lady’: it flowers in as little as four months from sowing the seed.
Restricted space for roots, bad light, harsh weather, poor soil and lack of water are the main factors that affect plant growth
Q. I planted a pomegranate in my garden three years ago. It does bear fruit but the plant itself has not increased in size. What is wrong?
A. It is possible that the plant roots are restricted and, if so, this can cause ‘dwarfing’ or perhaps you purchased a dwarf variety without being aware of it. If, however, this is not the case and the plant roots have plenty of soil depth, feeding the plant, organically please, every couple of months or so, may help it to reach a more ‘acceptable’ height. Presumably the fruit is of a good size as you haven’t indicated otherwise, nor have you mentioned your location which is an important factor when it comes to offering advice.