02 November 2010

Double whammy

This year we had an extended southwest monsoon. Before it got over, Bangalore was hit by the northeast  monsoon. So my garden has taken a double hit. With winter nearing, the sun is hidden behind a tall building, whose owners have been thoughtless enough to build right up to our garden wall. Deprived of sun, the garden and balcony plants upstairs are infested by mealy bug. Today our part-time gardener, Nagaraj, is giving everything a neem-oil spray -- the task is too much for me.

Even the fire bush, which is usually pest-free, has a bad case of mealy bug. It's being pruned and then sprayed. I had to overrule my husband, who forbade Nagaraj from pruning it on his last visit. Today, Nagaraj brought a fire bush sprig to show me how bad the infestation was. I asked him to prune it immediately, but he still checked with me twice if it was ok with 'Sahib'. I told him Sahib had been informed of the crisis and there was no danger of an eruption from him.

It's interesting that Nagaraj calls my husband 'Sahib'. In south India, honorifics like 'Anna' (elder brother) and 'Amma' (mother) have always been used. In these more egalatarian times, even in the more-feudal north, 'Sir', 'Madam', 'Didi' (older sister) have replaced Sahib and Memsahib. Nagaraj has a north-Indian bent -- speaks fluent Hindi -- and so calls me 'Maaji' (respected Mother) instead of Amma. My daughter's household help in Delhi, on the other hand, feeling that 'Maaji' doesn't suit my tinted locks and jeans-clad look, just call me 'Mummy' -- sometimes 'Mummyji' when they feel I deserve extra respect.

No pics this time; garden in too depressing a condition.

10 comments:

  1. I have to convince my husband when plants need to be pruned. I am hoping my tomato plants don't get affected by the rains. Wish the sun comes up soon and kills the bugs. Let me know if the neem spray works well on the mealy bugs. Also, can you post some pics of those bugs? Half the time, I get confused with the bugs and their names, I think pics might help.

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  2. Neem or just soap spray always kills mealy bugs. For pics, here's a link:
    http://www.google.co.in/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1280&bih=591&q=mealy+bugs&gbv=2&aq=0&aqi=g6g-s1g1g-s2&aql=&oq=mealy+bu&gs_rfai=

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  3. Oh!! Got it now.. I have some notorious mealy bugs in my garden too. Neem spray never worked on them, I have tried many times :( I cut the plant parts which were infested and somehow they come back.

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  4. Aarthi, mealy bugs always come back. The spray works for a month or so and then you have to spray again. If you're not getting results with neem spray, try just a soap solution. It should be soap, not detergent. Detergent dries too soon and so doesn't work on pests that arrive later. You can also add some crushed garlic, chilli and haldi powder to the solution, but then you'll need to strain it through a cloth or the spray holes will get clogged. Also check out this site for identifying pests: http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Search-PestsDiseases

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  5. Dear Jeanne, I am so sorry your garden is suffering from from two hits! I am glad you have some help with garden work. I love the respectful way your help addresses you. In America everyone, even young children, often calls you by your first name. Not so much respect, I think. Pam x

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  6. Pam, thanks for stopping by.

    Some of our traditional Indian customs do make sense. In India it's unheard of for children to call older people by their first names. As a result, children and even young adults call any older person 'Uncle' or 'Aunty' (Mr or Mrs Xyz would be considered strange). If you are ever in India, don't be surprised if all sorts of young strangers address you as 'Aunty'. When I was driving in Pune once (a city near Mumbai) and taking too long to move after the traffic light turned green (because I was chatting with my sister), a young man on a two-wheeler said to me, "Make it faster, Aunty." I could only laugh.

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  7. Sorry about the Garden in bad shape. Hope in a few weeks all will be fine.
    Pattu

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  8. Hi Jeanne,

    Just noticed that you have added my blog to your list. :-) Thanks. The blog is still under renovation. I am learning one step at a time.:-).

    Pattu

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  9. Jeanne, missing your posts. It has been a long time since your last post. Please do share something about your garden.

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  10. Aarthi, sorry about the long silence. A lot has been happening, I will have an update soon!

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