Root Awakening: Periwinkle needs well-draining soil

Restart periwinkle via seeds or stem-cuttings

I have had this plant for about a year. Many of its leaves are drying up. What plant is this and how can I save it? Do you have tips on how to take care of plants during this spell of rainy weather?

Georgie Lim

Your plant appears to be a periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). It looks old and as though it has been grown in its current soil for a long time. The soil looks compacted and wet. Are you feeding your plant on a regular basis?

Note that this plant needs to grow in a well-draining mix that dries out slightly before being watered again. A lack of fertiliser can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Wet feet due to moisture-retentive or poorly draining soil can cause it to have issues taking up nutrients or become more prone to disease.

You may want to prune the plant and move it to a more suitable growing mix. Take the tip cuttings and try rooting them to get new plants. If there are any seed pods, you can also harvest the seeds and grow them.

This species requires direct sunlight for at least six hours daily to thrive.

Edibles need sunny site to grow well

I want to start growing vegetables, but I have no experience. Can you offer some tips on how I can get started? I live in a flat and my home gets filtered morning sun.

Yong Li Way

Most edible plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to grow well. Filtered morning sunlight, due to its lower intensity, limits the range of plants you can grow.

Plants that you can try growing include the Fragrant Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius), Brazilian Spinach (Alternanthera species), Longevity Spinach (Gynura procumbens) and Asian Pennywort (Centella asiatica).

For more information, you can go to the National Parks Board’s YouTube channel and search for instructional videos under Gardening With Edibles.

Roselle needs larger pot

What is the best medium for my roselle plant? It is infested with aphids. What are the treatment options? How can I propagate it?

Adrian Ling

You can move your roselle plant to a pot that is at least 20cm in diameter. Ensure the soil is well-draining, as this plant dislikes wet feet. Where possible, grow it under a clear shelter to reduce the detrimental effects of rain.

It needs at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive. This plant can be propagated via either stem-cuttings or seeds harvested from dried mature fruits.

Manjula Pothos needs filtered light

My Manjula Pothos has produced a white leaf. I understand this leaf cannot photosynthesise due to its lack of chlorophyll. Will my plant continue to grow new leaves and if so, will these also be white? 

The other leaves are mostly green. How can I help the plant grow more green leaves?

Sam Yeo

Identify a portion of the stem in the older part of the plant that contains both green and white tissue. Prune at this point so the new growth produced there will have some green in it.

You may want to check the light intensity which your plant has been exposed to. This species needs filtered sunlight to thrive. Light intensity can affect plant development.