Protect plant from excessive moisture

I bought this Japanese olive plant from a nursery three years ago. It appears to have developed an infestation recently. I sprayed neem oil, but it had no effect.

Dave Lim

Your plant may be suffering from a number of issues.

First, it needs at least six hours a day of direct sunlight. It is not an indoor plant. The lack of light can cause the plant to produce soft, elongated growth that is prone to pest attacks.

Second, the soil needs to be a porous mix that dries out more easily, so the plant does not develop wet feet. Carefully remove some soil without disturbing the plant’s roots, and add gritty, coarse components like pumice and expanded clay pellets to help with drainage.

You should protect the plant from excessive rain by growing it under a clear shelter, and water only after the root zone has dried out slightly.

Avoid over-feeding the plant and use slow-release pellets. Excessive salt build-up in the root zone can cause the tips of leaves to burn.

Give fern more light

My fern’s leaves are yellowing and turning brown. It grows indoors, gets occasional filtered sunlight and is watered twice a week.

Nancy Lee

Your Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) is a native plant of Singapore.

Ferns should not be grown in deep shade. Give your plant at least six hours a day of filtered sunlight. This will toughen the leaves so they are less prone to injury and infections. Low light levels will result in soft and floppy leaves.

Insect could be the Black Soldier Fly

What is this insect on my lime ...