Marlis of Tampak Siring, writes: I have lots of frangipanis in my garden, planted four years ago. Except for two of them, they hardly ever flower – sometimes not at all. What can I do to make them flower over and over again, like I see them in other gardens all around me? Also, the new leaves of one of our trees are somewhat deformed. Is this a disease?
Without seeing you garden, the first thing that I think is that your flowering problem may be due to location. Frangipanis need full sun - at least six hours a day - to grow and flower well. Do the two which do flower well get plenty of sun? If so, location is your problem.
How big are they? You can dig up mature frangipani to replant in a sunnier spot very successfully. On the other hand, if they are shaded by large, trees, the answer may be to cut back the shade trees hard. This solves your lack of sun problem, improving those trees at the same time.
If your frangipanis have been growing in the shade, the plants will be very leggy and spindly due to their reaching for the light. If this is so, cut them back by one third to one half, and do it now. If you find that relocation is necessary, wait 4-6 weeks after pruning before you dig them up.
You may do this any time. Frangipani have a very compact, fibrous root system (why large trees blow over easily during high winds), and may usually be dug up retaining a much smaller root ball than other trees. Even so, cutting back will place less stress on the plant during the re-establishment period. Needless to say, the plant needs support at this time – depending on size a stout stake, or if large, 3-4 stakes and a guying system (discarded panty hose are ideal for this purpose).
Surprisingly, a little movement of the trunk is better than firm anchoring in the one position. Some trunk movement stimulates the release of root hormones which promotes quick root growth and a consequent firmer grip on the soil.
ALL plants benefit from regular fertilizing. The cheapest and quickest method is to have the male members of your household go out and pee about one meter from the trunk of the trees at night (or during the day if this can be done unobtrusively). Urine (urea) is rich in quickly assimilable nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – essential to good growth, and prolific flowering. The first pee of the day is richest of all.
If it rains soon after, you will have no problem with dead patches on the grass where puddles of pee have formed. The chemicals in pee are concentrated, and can burn grass quickly. If no rain, water the affected area asap!
If this is not an option, buy a 25kg bag (you obviously have a large garden) of ‘foska’ (super-phosphate) and scatter about one handful per sq.m. - again at the same distance from the trunk. This also should be watered in after application, and should be done every 6-8 weeks. If the above recommendations do not produce results, contact me again.
Your second problem (ie: deformed leaves) is more likely due to insect/caterpillar infestation. Pick some leaves and examine them closely, preferably with a magnifying glass. If you find such evidence, any of the available insecticides/stomach poisons should do the trick. Good gardening!
Osy of Denpasar, who obviously loves sunflowers writes: I go all around Denpasar looking for seeds of sunflowers without success. I hope you answer.
Osy – I always answer questions sent in to me, though sometimes you must wait a while because I try to do this in the same order as questions arrive. The cheapest and best way to get sunflower seeds is to walk around near where you live and look for these flowers in other people’s gardens. You will not have seen them recently, because these plants do not flower and set seed during the rainy season.
Gardeners are usually nice, generous people and I have never had a refusal whenever I ask for seeds of this or a cutting of that, if I see a plant I admire growing in someone’s garden. Look again in a few months - there will be plenty available. The seeds must be mature before they will grow. You will know this when the seeds are fat and black in color.
Parrots (eg: burung kakatua) also love sunflower seeds to eat. You may find seeds at your local market in a bag of parrot food. Otherwise I can tell you where to buy, but as these suppliers never advertise in this newspaper, I never give them a free plug. Phone me on 081916233569 for this info.
Please send all your gardening questions to
E-mail: gardendoctor08@yahoo.com
