GARDENING: ‘HOW DO I IDENTIFY POISONOUS MUSHROOMS?’
Q. I live at Kashmir Point in Murree, and while walking in the forested area near my house, I see several varieties of mushrooms growing, particularly during July and August. Many of them look mouth-watering. Can you tell me if any of these are edible? How can I recognise the edible ones and stay away from the poisonous species?
A. There are so many different species of mushrooms and other fungi growing in the forested areas of the hills that it is impossible to say whether a species is edible or poisonous without having an actual specimen for identification purposes. It takes an expert to identify the majority of these species (not an app on a phone). In many cases edible and poisonous species are very alike. There is no simple way of telling the difference between safe and deadly. Unless you can obtain expert advice, preferably on the spot, please do not even touch one.
Q. When is the best time to plant Freesia bulbs and what care do they need?
Your gardening queries answered
A. These South African natives deserve to be more widely grown in Pakistan than they currently are. Stunningly fragrant, with excellent, long-lasting cut flowers, freesia corms (these are slightly different from bulbs) are usually imported from Holland and should be available in garden supply stores now and on until the end of December. The best time to plant them is October and on until the end of November: freesia corms planted in December will have a shorter growing season and may not flower to their full potential. Plant corms approximately two inches deep in reasonably fertile, well drained soil/organic compost, water lightly in dry weather and they should flower in spring. In our climate, freesias do well in dappled shade (flowers last longer in shade than in full sun) or in a spot that gets just two to four hours of direct sunshine. Freesias are also simple to grow from seed but it can be difficult to get young plants through their first summer while they are in the process of developing their initial corm.
Q. My six- or seven-year-old plum tree began blossoming three years ago but it doesn’t fruit. What can the problem be? I reside in Lahore.
A. Unless you purchased a ‘self fertile’ variety, a second plum tree is necessary for cross pollination to take place and fruit to form. I suggest that you invest in a second plum tree of a reasonable size, this winter: it does not have to be the same variety as the existing one for cross pollination and the reward will be long-awaited fruit.
Q. Can fishmeal be used as a general plant fertiliser?
A. Especially if organic, fishmeal is an excellent slow-release general fertiliser: instructions for use vary from brand to brand so please read the packet for exact details of how to apply.