Root Awakening: Philodendron Xanadu available at local nurseries
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The Philodendron Xanadu needs plenty of light.
PHOTO: VINCENT KOH
Wilson Wong
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Landscape plant is an aroid
I saw this plant at a hotel lobby in Kuala Lumpur, but have been unable to find it here. What is it? I may want to plant it at home.
Vincent Koh
This foliage plant is the Philodendron Xanadu (Thaumatophyllum xanadu). A member of the Araceae family, it was once popular in ornamental landscapes and is still sold at local nurseries. It needs plenty of sunlight and will fare poorly in the shade, where it will display slow and etiolated growth.
Mealy bug infestation
Apply summer oil to get rid of the pests.
PHOTO: MAY LIM
My Persicaria seems to have aphids and ants, and my seven-needle star (desert rose) appears to be dying. They get plenty of sunlight. What is wrong?
May Lim
The plant in your picture is infested with mealy bugs, which are sap-sucking insects with a cotton-like coat.
Thorough and consistent application of an appropriate pesticide – such as summer oil, which penetrates their protective coat and suffocates them – is key to managing a mealy bug infestation. Before spraying the pesticide, use a jet of water to wash off as many pests as possible.
Spray the summer oil during a cooler time of the day after testing on a small part of the plant, in case of any adverse reaction to the pesticide. Always follow the instructions on the product label.
Control the ant population in your garden, as they can bring sap-sucking insects from elsewhere and deposit them on your plants.
This Sea Gutta has aerial roots
This specimen has aerial roots on its trunk.
PHOTO: ESTHER LEONG
What is this plant?
Esther Leong
This tree is the Sea Gutta (Planchonella obovata), an evergreen tropical plant, though this specimen has produced aerial roots on its trunk. Some trees do so in a shady, humid environment to absorb moisture from the air.
Murraya appears to flower seasonally
Avoid over-pruning the plant, so it can focus on producing flowers instead of vegetative growth.
PHOTO: DIANA LEE
My plant has not had any flowers bloom for almost half a year. What should I do to remedy the situation?
Diana Lee
The Orange Jessamine (Murraya paniculata) appears to be a seasonal bloomer in Singapore. It is observed to bloom after the rain that follows a hot, dry spell. Grow your plant in a sunny spot and fertilise it well. Avoid over-pruning it, as this can cause it to redirect resources to prioritise vegetative growth over producing flowers.
Use summer oil to suffocate aphids
Before applying pesticide, use a jet of water to wash off as many pests as possible.
PHOTO: TAN BEE PING
How do I deal with my chilli plant’s aphid issue?
Tan Bee Ping
Your chilli plant has been infested with aphids, a type of sap-sucking pest. Use a jet of water to wash off as many pests as possible before spraying pesticide.
Summer oil will suffocate the pests. Apply this thoroughly and regularly for heavy infestations. Do so only during a cooler part of the day, but test first on a small part of the plant first to determine its reaction.
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.
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