Facebook Questions and Answers for the 20th January 2012

Hello Facebook fans, thanks for your questions this week, here are Carly's replies:

Claire De Mortimer-Griffin

How can I stop the Squirrel digging up my bulbs and having a chew on them?

Hi Claire, squirrels can be a bit of a nuisance! If you're growing your bulbs in containers you could try covering the pots with wire netting or an upturned wire hanging basket to create a barrier. My colleague and I have both used this method to deter squirrels and rabbits - and we have both had good results. You could also try using wire netting for bulbs in the ground, to deter digging. If you feed birds in your garden then this may well be encouraging squirrels to visit. You could try using squirrel-proof bird feeders to discourage them if this is the case.

Other than this there's not a lot more you can do. You can buy squirrel cage traps, but if you catch a grey squirrel you are obliged to destroy it (humanely!) and not everyone is keen on that idea. There are also lots of companies out there who are selling ultrasonic devices which they claim will repel squirrels quite effectively. I have never used one, but it might be worth a try if things are getting desperate. Best of luck Claire.

Valerie Dunne

How do I look after my Hawaiian palm in the winter?

Hi Valerie, the Hawaiian Palm (Brighamia insignis) is quite a rare and unusual plant! It grows naturally in dry, rocky areas of Hawaii with shallow soil so doesn't require much water. Being a tropical plant it is tender to frost so is best kept in a bright spot indoors during the winter, at a temperature of no less than 10 °C. Check the soil every week or so to monitor moisture levels. I would let the soil dry out between watering as this plant won't appreciate wet feet! They are very drought tolerant so don't worry about letting the soil dry. If the room you're keeping your Hawaiian palm in is warm and the plant appears to be growing well, you can apply a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month to ensure healthy growth. If conditions are fairly cool and the palm doesn't appear to be growing then it's best to fertilise only throughout the spring and summer.

They also appreciate some humidity, particularly in a house with central heating. You could stand your Hawaiian palm in a tray filled with pebbles and a little water so the water evaporates and creates humidity around the plant, or you could mist the plant regularly yourself. Don't be concerned if the lower leaves yellow and fall off throughout the year- this is normal. I hope this helps Valerie, let us know how you get on.