Nature Care -

Online Doctor

Doctor Answers

Following are the answers to your questions; to submit your question to the Online Doctor click here.

Q. What do I do to stop the caterpillars and white flies from destroying my plants?

A. You can use a combination of a contact insecticide for the catepillars e.g. karate or decis and a systemic insecticide for the white flies e.g. admire or actara. The admire or actara solution should be used to drench the soil around the plant.

A contact insecticide is an insecticide which must come into contact with the insect. A systemic insecticide acts as a stomach poison once ingested.

Q. I have some gerberas which always have dark leaves. I treat them with fungicide but they still look the same and hardly any flowers, what can I do?

A. Try spraying with champ 2 flowable and fertilizing with a blossom booster (a fertilizer which promotes flowering). If the gerberas are in a shaded area, move them into a bright location (if possible). Please also bring a leaf into one of our plant shops for further inspection.

Q. How can I tell if I am overwatering my plant?

A. Usually, the stems become very mushy, dark in colour and rotten. The lower leaves may also curl and wilt. Try touching the soil at the top of the pot, if it is constantly wet then you are definitely overwatering and would need to reduce watering. See general tips on how to water your plants.

Q. I have heard of N, P and K in fertilisers, what do they mean?

A. Nitrogen (N) is used to encourage growth and development in plants, it helps to give them that nice green colour. Potassium (K) is important for good flowering and fruiting. Phosphorus (P) is important for good rooting and also helps to speed up crop maturing.

Q. What’s the big deal about Epsom Salts?

A. Studies have shown that magnesium and sulphur, the two components of Epsom Salts may make plants grow bushier, produce more flowers and may also deter pests including slugs.

Q. I have problems with sweet peas they die after reaching about 1 foot in height

A. Look carefully at the leaves (on top and underneath), stems and roots for signs of insects, mites or disease. If there are any abnormalities, bring a piece of the plant into the shop so we can diagnose the problem and provide a solution. As a preventative, you can drench the soil with a fungicide first, followed a day later with an insecticide (there may be an insect eating the roots).

It would also be helpful to fertilize with a product high in potassium and phosphorous to strengthen the stems and promote stronger root development.