The last instalment of the Root Awakening column for the month of Aug 09 was published today on Straits Times Life!
The first question asked how to bloom Vanda ‘Miss Joaqium’ which is Singapore’s national flower. It is important to note that this orchid is a full sun, epiphytic orchid that does better if exposed to direct sunshine in an unobstructed, outdoor location. Even when grown in an apartment setting with 6 hours of direct sunshine, plants do not seem to bloom generously even when they are well-fed. Plants benefit from being grown in a well-drained location with good burnt earth chunks. Mulch the roots of plants with a layer of well-rotted compost. To spur flowering, one can try feeding plants with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Gaviota 67. To ensure that your Vanda will bloom just in time for the (next) National Day, try pruning away new flowering stalks starting from end April until end May so that your plants can from end July to August.
The next question was about how to grow dianthus in Singapore. Dianthus plants require direct sunshine to grow well. Nurseries grow them in open benches that receive full sunshine for the entire day. Long and weak stems noticed in dianthus plants are a sign that they may be grown in an area that does not have sufficient light for healthy growth. Remember to space plants sufficiently so that they are able to receive ample sunshine. Dianthus plants need to be grown in an area that is very well-drained and decline easily if grown in waterlogged areas. Although dianthus is a perennial here in Singapore, old plants tend to lose their vigor. Try dividing your dianthus plants which have grown bigger as this method is a much quicker and easier way of rejuvenating and multiplying your plants.
The last question asked about the care of a very common houseplant, Dracaena marginata. Although Dracaena marginata is often sold as an indoor plant, it prefers to be grown in a bright location, such as the balcony or window where filtered sunshine (not direct, strong sunshine!) streams in for half a day. One should grow in a moisture-retentive and well-drained potting mix. Avoid overwatering the plant as that will cause root rot. Use your index finger to feel for moisture a few centimeters below the soil surface. If the soil feels moist, withhold watering until a day or two later. When you water again, irrigate the plant thoroughly. Plants benefit from a sprinkling of a few slow-release fertilizer pellets at the rate recommended by the manufacturer, as well as, being fed with a water soluble fertilizer with trace elements, such as Phostrogen. To reduce the likelihood of bacterial and fungal infections, grow Dracaena marginata in a location with good air circulation, use clean and sterilized cutting tools prune plants and grow plants in soil free from pathogens.
Gardening with Wilson 