Summer-proof your plants

Amarjeet Batth

As the day temperatures are touching 45 degree Celsius and above, the heat stress is causing havoc for plants, especially the exotic varieties. Shade and water are the key factors that can protect your plants in the scorching heat. So first and the most important step is to move all your pots having exotic plants such as aglaonemas, dieffenbachia, pothos, schefflera, dracaena, syhgonium, philodendrum etc indoors. These can also be shifted under trees or in verandahs. The plants in flower beds should be covered by a green net (50%) shade.

Lawn

Grass is the most essential and eye catching feature of a garden, therefore it requires round- the-year upkeep. Maintain moisture level up to 4-6 inches which helps the grass to develop better deep-root system. Give the lawn a slow and short watering first and then let the moisture soak into the soil. Subsequently, go in for deep watering. To conserve water and for the better growth of grass install a sprinkler system. If lawn size is large then it is better to have an underground system, and if it is small then have a portable sprinkler. Sprinklers save water and form a cool micro environment around the grass.

Flowering annuals

In summers there is tendency to over water plants, which causes water logging and is not good for the health of the summer flowering annuals. These plants have a great tolerance towards harsh summer weather conditions, but if you want to enjoy the real flush the flowers, then water these religiously. Sunken flower beds hold substantial water, therefore, the flower beds should not be made more than 1”-2” deep. In pots water logging happens if the drain hole is not plugged properly while filling the pot. Good drainage helps plants in all seasons.

Care for chrysanthemum which is already shifted to a cool shady place by light watering and misting twice a day. Cuttings of the same will be taken from July onwards.

Climbers

Bougainvillea and quisqualis indica (jhumka bel) are among the climbers which flower in this heat. Deep irrigation is needed at least on alternate days if these are in pots and twice a week for those in flower beds.

Bulbs

Maintain moisture level which is crucial during this time period. canna, crynum, zephyranthes and later tuberose will start blooming as the monsoon arrives.

Watering and spraying

Irrigation is more tricky in summers as the water requirement varies from soil to soil, plant to plant and also depends on age, size and growth phase of a plant. But in harsh summers the soil has to be kept wet always. Evening watering exercise is essential as it is the most beneficial. But if required, watering can also be done in the morning. As a thumb rule if the plant foliage is drooping in the morning it requires watering. A light spray not only washes the foliage but also lowers the temperature around the plants. But water logging must be avoided.

Trees and shrubs

Newly-planted trees that are less than two years old are hit the most by summer heat. To keep them alive and healthy, let the water trickle at least 3-4 inches per week. Misting also help the plant. Shrubs like cassia biflora, ervatamia divaricata (chandani), hamelia patens, hibiscus, jatropha pandurifolia, lagerstoemia indica, tecoma gaudichaudii, thevetia peruviana start blooming in summers and add colour to the garden at an eye level. Irrigate these regularly once a week.