CHINESE GARDEN

These are photos taken at the Chinese Garden where there were lots of Shandong rocks.

The Hibiscus and Punica gratum shrubs were not bushy or were suffering somewhat from nutrient deficiency symptoms. We shall see, in time to come, how the plants are reacting to the recent fertilizing with both straight and compound fertilizers.   

KHOO TECK PUAT HOSPITAL

Like humans suffering from weariness, these trees, palms, shrubs and climbers planted in planter boxes are starting to exhibit signs and symptoms of chronic nutrient deficiency.


Unless they are regularly fed with a combination of organic fertilizers in the long term and compound fertilizers with trace elements in the short term, the problem will not go away so easily.


I wasn't able to take close-up photos of the plants from where I was because my camera was out of battery then. Well, let's see how the situation will be the next time I come here.

BAUHINIA KOCKIANA

I am showing this series of photos to highlight an issue I mentioned before. I commented before that the Bauhinia kockiana (Family: Fabaceae / Leguminosae) should not be planted in troughs like these, which are similar to those on pedestrian overhead bridges and flyovers and so on, with very little soil volume.


In my opinion, it is a mistake to begin with. Just look at the pale green leaves with very obvious interveinal chlorosis. It would look good initially but over time,  the fast growing, heavy feeder climber would take up all the nitrogen, iron etc from the soil, resulting in such nutrient deficiency symptoms. It would take lots of fertilizers and regular fertilizing to correct this problem and maintain a healthy looking plant with profuse flowering. Whether it is worth it or not is up to the individual.


By the way, some of the leaf tips are black and this is likely symptomatic of fertilizer burn and / or insufficient water. I know it sounds like a paradox but the fertilizer burn may occur if the quantity of fertilizers, especially inorganic types, used is too excessive and there is inadequate water given to the climber after the fertilizing. For a plant to absorb the ionic nutrients effectively, water is needed to transport them up the plant tissues.