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Ever wonder why the plants in your garden sometimes look sick and feeble?  Or why your once-luscious plants in your pots are now wobbling in a state of “S.O.S.”?  Of course it may be attributable to a host of reasons such as sick soils, degraded or poor inputs, careless or roughshod handling, inadequate maintenance, too many pests and diseases, or secluded in dark wet corners, etc.

These are some of the reasons that make it impossible to sustain turgid, erect and well-perked-up plants with foliage and flowers that seem to be forever fresh and desirable.

Seeing sick plants is therefore a scenario that is unavoidable.

Unfortunately, it is impossible not to see plants that are wobbly or droopy, although, fortunately, the percentage is just a tiny fraction compared to the actual numbers of healthy plants in any situation.

Therefore, there is very little to worry about in the garden except for the plentiful weeds, lost fruits or soil wash-offs caused by heavy rain or powerful misdirected jets of water.

Of course it does not require rocket science to notice that garden soils may be sick through the sick plants that are grown on them.  In fact, the best time to judge the health of a plant is through an early morning inspection of especially the leaves and flowers.  

As a healthy plant always produces fresh-looking and firm leaves and flowers, it therefore follows that any condition that borders on flaccid, drooping or crumpled leaves most likely constitute tell-tell signs that the plant is in deep trouble. 

There are numerous factors that contribute to the health of garden soils.  One of these is the management of soil fertility.  Over fertilisation due to neglect or ignorance may result in what many people term it as ‘extreme saltiness’ which may result in drooping leaves and young shoots.  

If the ‘saltiness’ is not too extreme, the plant may recover after 5-10 days of abstinence.  On the other hand, under fertilisation is not too bad as the overall health of the plant is not seriously affected.  

Another factor is in the amount of water applied to the plant.  In locations with a high water table, it is unnecessary to water too much, even on an irregular basis, as the retained water is usually sufficient to meet the needs of the plant.  

However, on soggy and waterlogged soils, any additional watering may contribute to a drowning effect, which in short, renders the plant to become useless for sale or for the kitchen.

The condition of the soil is also very much affected by the types of soil or its content.  A normal garden soil generally comprises 30% each of sand, silt and clay, plus 10% organic matter, although it is variable everywhere where the difference could be varied by up to 50% organic matter in organic soils or 50% sand in sandy soils.  

For rejuvenation purposes, a number of types of organic matter may be mixed into the soil to improve aeration, drainage and overall soil health.  Such materials include decomposed sawdust, discarded padi husks, coconut fibres, garden composts, etc. 

Usually, coarse river sand or quartz sand is preferred over the fine type.  Silt is extremely fine and may float in a cloud in the water to clog up every pore.  Although clay is also fine, it has a greater tendency to form granules of varying diameters.

All these components combine to form a well-drained and well-aerated friable soil that grows good plants.  When the combinations are grossly disproportionate, there is a likelihood that the soil may turn impervious and non-porous with the result that soil aeration and drainage become compromised.

Healthy soils also contribute less to soil pests especially mealy bugs.  Such little suckers love to attach themselves to undersides of leaves, on young shoots, and tender roots.  With good soils producing healthy plants, it is easier to notice insect pests and other plant diseases that cling around susceptible plants.  

Fortunately with regular and proper maintenance rounds, it is easy to spot the problem and nib them in the bud before it becomes widespread and affecting every part of the plant.

Some of the most commonly seen pests in the garden include scale insects, mealy bugs, aphids and red spider mites.  

Controlling such pests is a matter of choice but the most common one is to pick them up and then flicking them off, that is, if the number of plants is few.  

Often, the use of a pesticide spray is resorted to quickly tackle the problem but then it is necessary to note the toxic nature of such chemicals.  

An alternative is to use the odourless solid insecticide particles that are applied into the soil.  This is effective, clean and emits no stink.  

And yet another effective means that can handle the four pests is to use a solution of detergent that can be sprayed on or brushed onto the affected parts of the plant.

Plant pests are prevalent in most gardens which typically affect especially those long lifespan plants.  Short term plants such as vegetables are affected too but to a much lesser degree because the time period is too short for the pests to build up to a noticeable level before they are hauled into the kitchen kuali.  

Certainly, keeping healthy soils to produce kitchen needs is a good way to outperform the pests which means that by the time they are ready to be pestilent, their days are over.