Category: Garden Doctor by Dr. Kris

‘Hi, I notice you receive many a question on what sprays will sort frangipani rust and although your advice on using natural products and good house-keeping to combat the rust is good advice, in my experience using your advice only slightly helps in trying to eradicate the problem which I have been trying to do […]

‘Dear Dr. Kris, I read your reply to a query in the Bali Advertiser. I’m also wanting to know the name of this vine which hangs down. I attach two photos. I don’t think it is any of your suggestions. I’ve never seen it flower. I live in Thailand and want to plant it so […]

‘Dr. Kris, I’m sure grass should be easy to grow I see it growing well everywhere except for in my garden. I only have a small patch of lawn with buffalo grass and it’s a constant struggle, even though I was told it is the easiest to grow, apparently not for me! A few months […]

‘Dear Garden Doctor, Is it safe to re-use greywater from my washing machine on the garden and would it have any beneficial effects on my plants. A lot of the literature I have read gives conflicting reports, what is your opinion? Regards Jim, Sanur’   Watching the news recently it seems odd that Jakarta is […]

I had the idea of writing about the benefits of charcoal and wood ash for the garden, but in light of the recent goings on up at Gunung Agung I couldn’t go further without first mentioning the benefit of andisols, otherwise known as volcanic soils which are created from lava weathering and volcanic ash. Volcanoes […]

‘Dear Garden Doctor, I had never really thought of flowers as food until I recently came across the culinary delight of Italian stuffed zucchini flowers and thought it would be great if I could grow my own edible flowers. Is it possible to grow zucchini flowers in the tropical climate? Do you have any ideas […]

‘Dear Garden Doctor, I want to use natural fertiliser but don’t have the patience for a compost, do you have any ideas for other easy ways to give my plants a natural kick with organic fertiliser. I’ve heard that banana peels can be used in the garden from vegetable gardens to flowers, palm trees and even […]

‘Hi Doc, Rico here!  Can you help with my frangipani? I’d like some advice regarding black leaves and white fluffy spots under the leaves.  Before I go and administer a systemic pesticide to my lovely trees, I’d like a second opinion – are you willing to help, or even visit and consult? Thanks – Rico’   […]

‘Dear Garden Doctor, I have a lawn and a narrow garden bed which is very bare except for the frangipani tree. I was thinking of filling in the bare space with a few more as they are stunning plants and seem low maintenance. I see them growing happily everywhere around and mine has been doing very well […]

‘Dear Garden Doctor, I found a long lost forgotten choko on the back of the kitchen shelf that had to my surprise sprouted a fresh set of leaves from the end of the fruit! I have since planted it into a small pot eagerly awaiting to see if it grows up whilst deciding where to put it in the […]