Root Awakening: Give Dracaena water without fluoride
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The Dracaena needs plenty of filtered sunlight.
PHOTO: ONG BEE GUAT
Wilson Wong
Follow topic:
Burnt patches due to fluoride toxicity or fertiliser
Is my corn plant under- or overwatered? How should I take care of it?
Ong Bee Guat
Your plant is a common cultivar of Dracaena. It is not an indoor plant and needs four to six hours a day of filtered sunlight.
Move it to a larger container and water it periodically to ensure the roots do not dry out completely.
The burnt patches on the leaves are a common problem that can be attributed to either fluoride toxicity or excessive fertiliser use. You may want to switch to using water devoid of fluoride, such as rainwater.
Rose Cactus produces attractive flowers
The leaves of the Rose Cactus are used as a remedy for various ailments.
PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER YIP
What is this plant? My friend said it can help cure cancer and that its leaves can be eaten raw.
Christopher Yip
The plant is the Rose Cactus (Leuenbergeria bleo), known in Chinese as Seven Star Needle. It is a leafy cactus that grows best in a sunny location with moist but well-draining growing media. Its leaves are edible and used as a traditional remedy for various ailments.
Butterfly Ginger prefers moist growing media
Do not let the Butterfly Ginger dry out.
PHOTO: THAN THAN NYUNT
I keep this plant in well-draining soil and water moderately only when the soil is dry. However, the leaves are turning yellow and dying. What should I do?
Than Than Nyunt
The Butterfly Ginger (Hedychium coronarium) needs a growing medium that is kept moist at all times. Do not let it dry out – this could be why your plant’s leaves are folding and browning.
It grows best in the ground outdoors, in a semi-shaded area shielded from strong winds which can dry it out.
Flowering shrub is the Musical Note Plant
The Musical Note Plant's name comes from the appearance of its flower buds.
PHOTO: TAN PIN HO
This beautiful row of plants is near my apartment block. The flowers are beginning to wilt. What is this plant?
Tan Pin Ho
The plant is commonly known as the Musical Note Plant (Rotheca microphylla). Its common name is derived from the appearance of the flower buds. This shrub flowers seasonally in Singapore.
Answers by Dr Wilson Wong, an NParks-certified practising horticulturist and parks manager. He is the founder of Green Culture Singapore and an adjunct assistant professor (Food Science & Technology) at the National University of Singapore.
Have a gardening query? E-mail it with clear, high-resolution pictures of at least 1MB, if any, and your full name to . We reserve the right to edit and reject questions.
