Stop Buggin’

Time has come to take measures against the mango mealy bug.

Time has come to take measures against the mango mealy bug. We have always been advocating the use of ten-inch polythene (1000 gauge) strip around the tree trunk to be secured with small shoe nails but at places we still find the use of greese as a band to block movement of insects on the main trunk. This is incorrect. The accompanying picture was taken by at the Oasis, Karnal, en route Delhi. See the kind of damage the tree has suffered on the outer bark of the main trunk. This is the effect of using grease.

Q: We have just come

to Chandigarh to settle and are not aware about the flora. Can we grow cherry, peach, plum, grapes etc here?
Ronie, Chandigarh
For cherry I will say no as it can only be grown at a height not less than 7000 feet and its chilling requirement is not met in Chandigarh. You can grow the other fruit trees easily.

Q: Can we grow iris, daffodil and renunculus here and what is the best time to grow them?
Surekha, Chandigarh

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You can easily grow all these bulbous plants and the best time to do so is now.

Q: When is the time to add manure to mango? I have two 10-year-old mango trees. How much manure should I add?
December is the best time to add farmyard manure to mango. In the ten-year-old mango tree you can add a quintal of well rotten farmyard manure. Do not forget to take plant protection against white ants.

Q: Can we grow pear and grapes now? Where can I get quality plants?
Ramesh, Panchkula
The correct time to plant pear and grapes is January-February. You can get best quality plants from Punjab Agriculture University at Ludhiana.

Mail Dr Green at satishnarula@yahoo.co.in