How do I get rid of this pest on my ginger plant?
Tan Guan Hong
From the picture, it appears that your Butterfly Ginger (Hedychium coronarium) is infested by aphids, a type of sap-sucking pest. For small infestations, you can use a strong jet of water to wash these pests off your plant.
You can also use pesticides such as summer oil to suffocate and kill the pests. Ensure complete coverage of the plant while spraying, and repeat the application at regular intervals.
Low-toxicity pesticides are ideal, as these will have less of a negative impact on beneficial fauna – such as ladybirds – that may be present in your garden and can assist with pest control.
Plant is the Blood Lily
This plant grew from bulbs in my pot. What is it? The leaves are turning yellow, which could be due to damp soil as it is the rainy season. I have moved it to a semi-covered area.
Qua Lay Tin
The plant appears to be Blood Lily (Scadoxus multiflorus). It needs to be grown in a well-draining mix so that the underground bulbs do not rot. Check the bulbs to ensure they have not been affected by excessive moisture.
Your plant looks elongated, which may be a sign that it is not receiving sufficient sunlight. The plant is somewhat deciduous – its leaves die down and the plant goes into a rest period. New leaves or flowers may emerge after this period.
- 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.
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