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Straits Times

Root Awakening: Calabash Tree produces inedible fruit

Calabash Tree is ornamental This plant's fruit looks like a pomelo. I understand from a Google search that the plant is a Calabash Tree. Are the fruit edible? Thomas Wan The plant is indeed the Calabash Tree (Crescentia cujete). Its fruit are inedible. When dried, the mature fruit's hard shells can be made into musical instruments and other receptacles. The tree is grown in local parks and gardens as an ornamental plant. 'Shade-tolerant' plants still need sunlight I have been unsuccessful in growing popular indoor plants, such as the Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Money Plant and Peace Lily. They wilt after a few weeks. I keep them in the corridor of an HDB flat with indirect sunlight. I water every few days with rainwater or tap water that has been left in a pail for 24 hours. When my moisture meter shows that some parts of the soil are dry and others are wet, I spray the soil's surface lightly. I add liquid fertiliser to the water, as I find that damp compost attracts pests. Am I watering too much or too little? Is it better to water in the morning or evening? How can I save a wilting plant? Chris Yap The plants you mentioned are often touted as 'shade-tolerant plants'. Although they tolerate shade, they will not thrive in dim areas. A lack of light will cause them to decline over time, with sluggish growth, etiolated (stretched) stems and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Most need at least four hours a day of filtered sunlight. Check that the sunlight of your growing area casts a shadow with a fuzzy edge. Consider installing grow lights if the area is not bright enough. Watering is best done in the morning before the day gets hot and plants need more water. Avoid watering at night, especially if the plants are in the shade and lack air circulation, as this may lead to disease. Moisture meters may not be reliable. When you water, do so until excess liquid trickles out from the pot's drainage holes. Remove the excess liquid, as a pot sitting in standing water can cause a waterlogged root zone and lead to mosquito breeding. After watering, the growing mix should feel moist. Let it dry out before watering again. Stick your finger below the soil surface and feel for moisture, and water when it is dry. Plants in sunnier, windier areas will dry out faster. Monitor the intervals between watering sessions and establish a regimen. When a plant wilts due to lack of water, its survival will depend on the extent of root damage. If the roots have dried out, the plant will not recover. Depending on the plant species, you may be able to salvage a cutting from above the roots and propagate it in water. Some gardeners use soil-less media, such as semi-hydroponics, if they find soil difficult to handle indoors. However, not all plants thrive in such mixes. Succulent leaves look scorched The plant may have been burned by a sudden change in light intensity. PHOTO: JAVIER CHEW My succulent has brown spots and patches on its leaves. It is near a window that gets sunlight for about half of the day. What is wrong and how can I rescue my plant? Javier Chew The leaves seem to be sunburnt. Has the plant been in that spot for a long time? If it was grown under less intense light previously, such as under grow lights or elsewhere in your home, the sudden change in light intensity may have scorched the leaves. Alternatively, a chemical – such as a pesticide – or fertiliser administered in too high a dose or under strong light may cause similar symptoms. Unfortunately, the marks are permanent. The good news is that the new leaves look fine and new growth will eventually replace those that are damaged. Gradually adapt the plant to higher light levels and lower the dosage of any fertiliser or other chemicals. Substances could be pest-related The white masses could be a scale insect or mealy bug. PHOTO: SOH KENG HON The black dots could be pest eggs or a sign of fungal disease. PHOTO: SOH KENG HON My curry plant has a sticky white substance that kills the leaves it is on and drips down to other leaves and plants. There are also black dots on the plant. What are these and how do I get rid of them? I have pruned the entire plant several times, but the problems persist. Soh Keng Hon The white masses could be scale insects or mealy bugs . These sap-sucking pests can be removed via a strong jet of water. You can also spray the plant thoroughly with a pesticide, such as summer oil, that will suffocate them. Repeated applications are often necessary to eradicate the pests. Inspect your plant regularly and act promptly to prevent such issues. Are you able to scrape the black spots off easily? If you can, they could be a pest's eggs. If you cannot, they could be signs of a fungal disease. Pruneaffected leaves and discard them. Do not compost them. Grow your Curry Tree in a sunny spot to improve its health and make sure it gets enough air circulation. Bush Grape fruit are inedible This tree's fruit contain calcium oxalate crystals that can injure the mouth and throat. PHOTO: LEO CHIN KWANG This creeping plant's fruit start off small and green, then turn yellow and finally orange when mature. Are the fruit edible? Leo Chin Kwang This climbing vine is the Bush Grape (Cayratia mollissima). Its fruit are not edible, as they contain calcium oxalate crystals that can injure the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. Answers by Dr Wilson Wong, an NParks-certified practising horticulturist and parks manager. He is the founder of Green Culture Singapore and an adjunct assistant professor (Food Science & Technology) at the National University of Singapore. Have a gardening query? E-mail it with clear, high-resolution pictures of at least 1MB, if any, and your full name to stlife@ We reserve the right to edit and reject questions. 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