Category: Garden Doctor by Dr. Kris

‘Dear Dr. Kris, I would like to ask you about fertilizer available in Bali. A few days ago, we moved a few 5m-high palm trees from the area near our pond to the other part of our garden as their roots had caused the pond to leak. I wonder if they need fertiliser to settle […]

Dear Garden Doctor, I have recently been given some orchids that have outgrown their old terracotta pots. What is the best way to care for them and best way to re-pot them, and which type of soil to use? What is best way to care for them and then get them to flower? Thanks for […]

‘Good Morning Garden Doctor, I live up at UBUD and in our garden there is a very tired looking lemon tree. It was here when we got here but over the past few years it seems to be producing less and less. We’ve had numerous bug infestations lately in the past two years, I think […]

‘Dear Garden Doc, I want to begin composting but I have never done it before, do I really just throw all my food scraps in the compost bin and it’s that simple? I don’t really understand how composting works. I’ve read it’s the best way to make fertilizer to go on the garden. But my […]

‘Hi, if you could provide some information on how best to plant succulents. I’d be super grateful. We are planning on growing a succulent and cactus garden in pots, and out in the ground too in various parts of our garden. It is easy I hear to propagate new plants easily from cuttings with these […]

Hi Dr Kris, What a good article on soil testing thank you. My problem is all the plants that I’ve planted whether from cuttings or seed start off fine and grow, but won’t flower or set fruit, and after a short while stop growing and become retarded. I have fertilised with cow poop and chemicals […]

‘Hello: I was just reading your article and it is very informative. Question:   I have a fountain that I have on a timer to run for 12 hours a day, and I want to know if this is sufficient to deter mosquitoes from breeding in the water? Do they lay eggs during the day or […]

Hi I’ve been reading about the health benefits associated with the celery juice craze, it’s been everywhere lately in the news, problem is most places in Bali only offer fresh fruit juices. Celery is one of the more expensive greens to buy, I was wondering if it is feasible to grow my own or are […]

Dear Garden Doctor, I have recently been given some orchids that have outgrown their old terracotta pots. What is the best way to care for them and best way to re-pot them, and which type of soil to use? What is best way to care for them and then get them to flower? Thanks for […]