Q. The scorching heat and high temperature in the interior of Sindh is burning up my plants. Temperatures have been 52 to 53oC recently. We heard from some experienced gardeners that spraying water on the plants every morning and again in the evening is the best plant saving method to adopt. What is your opinion?
A. Spraying water on to plants in the morning is asking for major trouble. Hot sun on wet leaves, especially if a wind springs up, results in severe leaf burn which can — although this varies depending on plant species — be fatal. Spraying plants with water at, or just after sunset, is perfectly fine as a cooling method but, keep this in mind please, it can also encourage (depending on general humidity levels) various kinds of fungal disease or infections such as mildew. Giving priority to the selection of indigenous, climatically-suitable-for-your-locality plant species is the best thing to do in future when planning your hot weather garden. Reserve cool climate seasonal plants for growing over the winter period.
Q. The temperature rose to over 50oC in Larkana and seasonal plants, perennials and even small trees have dried out. How can such destruction be prevented in the future?
Different watering tactics have to be used to protect plants in summer
A. It is important to plant locally indigenous species as these should tolerate the increasingly extreme climatic changes the country is now experiencing. It will help, with new plantation / young trees, if shade-netting can be provided. You may also like to try the ‘Matka’ irrigation system since this ensures that the trees and plants have access to water all around the clock.
Q. I have a kitchen garden on the roof of my home in Defence, Karachi, which consists of clay pots and a raised slab bed measuring 6ft x 35ft and 2ft deep. This year, winter and spring crops of normal tomatoes were a complete failure, although cherry tomatoes, grown in winter, were a great success. There seems to be a problem with curly leaf virus for which I sprayed a concoction of garlic, green pepper, balsam vinegar, liquid soap, vegetable oil and essence of peppermint. This dealt with all insect pests but not with the curly leaf virus. Advice please.