Stunning roses | Photos by the writer
Q. Despite my best efforts, I have failed to cultivate roses in my garden in Defence, Karachi. The mali says that roses cannot be grown here due to the sea breeze. Is the situation hopeless or is there, somehow, a chance?
A. Roses can be grown — and very successfully too — in your locality providing that special care and attention is continuously provided. If the soil is very saline, try growing them in large clay pots/containers and give them adequate protection from strong winds. If you require more details, please explain the specific problems you face.
Q. I planted several fruit trees around my house on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. Amongst them are some peach trees which are fruiting for their second year but I have noticed that their leaves are curling. I am worried about how to resolve this issue as I am making an effort to use only organic methods and materials in my garden. Can you advise?
A. Peach leaf curl is a common problem, one which can affect nectarine and almond trees as well. It is caused by an airborne fungal infection called Taphrina deformans, the spores of which lie dormant in crevices in the bark and soil around the tree over the winter months. They wake up and attack new leaves, buds and blossoms in the spring and are especially active in wet/humid weather.
Spores are carried long distances by the wind and infections can rapidly spread from one garden/orchard, to another. However, you will be delighted to know that there are organic remedies. Immediately, even if the trees are fruiting, spray all parts of the trees with either 5ml neem oil or 5ml oregano oil mixed with four litres water, repeating every three weeks until fruit has been harvested. Then wait until the tree has shed its leaves — early to mid-winter — and spray with a purely organic liquid copper fungicide with a repeat spray just as buds begin to form in spring.
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If you are unable to find an organic copper fungicide, then use neem or oregano oil again. Neem and oregano oil in no way poison the tree, the fruit or the soil, but are best sprayed late in evening so that honey bees and other useful insects are not harmed. Additionally, keep the area around the base of the trees clear of fallen fruit/leaves — these may harbour spores — and dispose of this debris in the garbage bin, not in the compost heap.
Q. My beloved husband is buried in the Christian graveyard in Karachi. It is a low-lying, water logged place and I would like to plant a tree, preferably a flowering species, to beautify the grave. Please suggest a tree — or large bush — that will grow in such conditions.
A. The very tough Tulip tree (Thespesia populnea) is eminently suitable for the conditions you describe. It is a fairly fast growing, saline-tolerant tree of medium height with heart-shaped leaves and pretty, pale yellow ‘tulip’ flowers on and off around the year. It will also withstand periods of drought. Persian lilac (Melia azadarach), a small tree with bunches of pale blue flowers in spring, followed by orange berries, is another possibility, as is Indian laburnum (Cassia Fistula) — also known as Amaltas — with bright yellow racemes of flowers in spring.