Rosemary | Photos by the writer
Q. I have pot-grown jasmine in Islamabad. It has been with me for one year now and grown 30 cm tall, but the single flower bud it grew this spring withered and fell off before opening. The plant gets enough sunlight, water and compost. Is Islamabad weather not suitable for jasmine or is there some other problem?
A. Jasmine flourishes in Islamabad when correct growing conditions are provided. Try repotting it in a much larger, preferably clay, pot using new sweet earth mixed 50 percent earth, 25 percent river sand/silt, 25 percent organic compost/old, well-rotted, organic manure and place the pot in a sheltered position where it receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Water in the relative cool of the evening, every other day, but do not overwater. Overwatering kills more plants than pests and disease. The plant should begin growing strongly fairly quickly, and hopefully, will smother itself in blossom as a thank you for years to come.
Q. Are the conditions in Islamabad suitable for growing mint and coriander? If so, can these be grown in plant pots? Can they both be grown from seed and how to take care of them?
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A. Mint and coriander grow well in Islamabad and are perfectly happy in suitably sized clay pots, placed in partial shade over the hot summer months. Coriander seed is sown just beneath the soil/compost surface, watered each evening and grows rapidly. Sow fresh coriander seed every couple of weeks or so to maintain a continuous supply. Mint can be grown from seed but it is much easier to either buy plants from a local nursery or look for pieces of mint with roots on when purchasing bunches of fresh mint in the bazaar and plant these. Mint also needs daily evening watering throughout the hot weather.
Q. I have grown a rose bush in a pot on my terrace in Islamabad. It gets regular water and compost but even though the main stem is over 70 cm long with side branches, it hasn’t flowered. The pot is in a semi-sunny spot. What is wrong with it?
A. It could be that you inadvertently bought a climbing or rambling rose rather than the bush type you wanted — this would explain the growth. Alternatively, if it is a bush rose, then it may have been overpowered by the desi rootstock it is probably grafted on. If it has reverted to being desi, it will eventually flower and the lovely blooms are liable to have a powerful fragrance. If possible, move the pot into a slightly sunnier location, then wait and see what happens over the winter/spring months.