GARDENING: ‘CAN I GROW SANDALWOOD IN KARACHI?’

Q. In a recent column you advised someone to create a mixed fruit tree orchard including vegetables, herbs and flowers. I would be grateful if you would elaborate on this concept please.

A. It’s quite simple really. You are, in a manner of speaking, replicating nature. The orchard trees provide shade for the vegetables, flowers and herbs growing beneath them and, when you water and feed these plants, the trees benefit too. Additionally, the flowers attract pollinators for the fruit blossoms, which potentially increases yields. This method also makes full use of the land, as against traditional orchards in which land beneath the trees is simply left to grass/weeds, which have to be cleared or otherwise maintained. Such mixed planting is beneficial for birds, butterflies and wildlife as a whole, as well as environmentally healing. You must, of course, create the right kind of balance without disturbing tree roots in the process. All interrelated aspects must be taken into consideration and, once you get the balance right, you will have a sustainable paradise on your doorstep.

Q. I planted turai/ridge gourd seeds in my backyard towards the end of February. The vine, which gets four to five hours of direct sunlight, has really grown big with healthy leaves, but it is not fruiting, even though it had a few flowers. I got lots of turai in previous years. I have given compost, cow dung powder and bone meal every month. What should I do?

A. To be frank, I am as puzzled by this as you are. All I can think of is that perhaps the weather conditions have been different in your locality this year. You seem to be doing everything right and, perhaps, in the time between you sending your question and this reply, it is now fruiting. Sorry, but I have no advice other than to try again next season.

All your gardening queries answered here

Q. I live in Bahria Town, Karachi, where the climate is a bit hotter than in the city and humidity is less. I have been gifted two lavender plants, brought in from the UK, and need tips on their cultivation. One is English lavender and the other is French lavender.

A. French lavender has a better chance of surviving than the English one as it is less prone to fungal attack. Lavender, in the Karachi area, does best in partial shade and must have very well-drained soil. The latter is essential to prevent root rot. Be extremely careful not to overwater. Lavender plants are fairly drought tolerant and too much water kills them. By the way, as far as I am aware, it is against the law to bring in plants from other countries unless you have an import licence and phytosanitary certificates. This law is intended to protect our indigenous plants from potentially lethal viruses and breaking it, as many people do, is a criminal offence.

Q. We use sandalwood in our religious ceremonies but are unable to find it. Would it be possible to grow this tree in my garden in Karachi?

A. It is certainly worth trying but sandalwood requires specific growing conditions. These include the need to have a host tree, one which produces nitrogen from its roots, such as a member of the acacia family, already growing right next to the selected planting site. The sandalwood attaches its roots to those of the acacia (or alternative nitrogen producing species), taking its essential nourishment from there.

Q. Which fruit trees, aside from chikoo and coconut, thrive in saline soil?

A. Other fruit trees for growing in saline soil conditions include: dates, jamun/Indian blackberry, custard apple, pomegranate, bael/stone apple, figs and guava.

Q. I planted an olive tree in my garden in DHA, Lahore, four years ago. It is now over 10ft tall and very healthy. The problem is that it has never flowered, so obviously, never fruited. Do olive trees fruit in Lahore or is there something wrong with my tree?

A. Olive trees can bear fruit in Lahore and, with a bit of luck, your tree may start fruiting from next year. It is not the size but the age of an olive tree which promotes fruiting and most modern olive cultivars begin fruiting from the age of five to seven years, so a little more patience please.

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