Q. In my free time, I like to cook. One favourite of mine is pasta, for which I regularly seek herbs and cherry tomatoes. I reside in Karachi but have so far been unable to find a nursery or store where I can buy seeds for fruits such as cherry tomato and herbs like thyme and basil. Please identify a couple of stores where I can acquire such seeds.
A. You can easily get seeds for cherry tomatoes, thyme and basil at the Empress Market or from the many seed stores spread throughout the city, including opposite the Old Sabzi Mandi area. For herbs, however, I recommend buying seedlings from a plant nursery rather than growing them from seed. This is because Karachi’s winters are relatively short and starting with seedlings will give the plants a head start and allow you to harvest them sooner.
Q. I am from Karachi and have more than a dozen chickens at home. Small plants with blue flowers (photograph attached) have grown and quickly spread along the boundary wall of my house. The chickens are eating the leaves of this plant. I was wondering if you could identify these plants and tell me whether they are safe for my chickens.
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A. The plant in the photograph appears to be a dayflower (Commelina species), which grows readily in Karachi’s warm, humid climate. It is edible and not dangerous for your chickens’ consumption.
Q. My sharifa (custard apple) tree bore fruit, which has since gone black. What would be the appropriate way to approach this issue? Need your advice.
A. The fruit in the photograph appears hard and mummified. This can occur following pest or fungal damage, although the exact cause cannot be confirmed from the photograph alone. Pest damage, for example, may cause the fruit to deteriorate, harden and eventually turn dark.
Check whether there are holes or bore marks on the custard apple, usually brownish black marks on the surface. If so, it confirms the pest attack. There is no specific treatment until the cause of the damage has been identified. In any case, I would suggest reduced watering, application of commercially available fungicide for fruits and overall sanitation of your tree, which will reduce the likelihood of pest attacks. Moreover, prune the custard apples that have changed colour, remove the infected leaves, clean the area around the tree and remove the fallen leaves as well as blackened or purplish custard apples. Finally, reduce the number of leaves and stems if the tree appears cluttered.
Q. I live in DHA Phase 1, Rawalpindi. I am interested in growing amaryllis and other flowering plants at home. Can the flowers be grown in the Potohar region and when? Also, what kind of flowers may I nourish in my pots for the coming season? I would like to start with seeds while growing these plants.
A. For the Potohar region, September and October are a good time to plant amaryllis bulbs. Here are some key guidelines for the planting phase. Leave the upper portion of the bulb above the soil and use a well-drained potting mix. Place the pot where the plant will receive gentle morning sunlight.
For the coming cool season, you can grow flowering plants such as calendula, petunia, dianthus, phlox, nasturtium and pansy in pots. Visit local nurseries or seed stores for good-quality seeds.
Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening
Published in Dawn, EOS, September 27th, 2026
