Q. You wrote an article describing a plant called melompodium that seemed to be the answer to my plant problem. I have a 20-by-2-foot piece of ground that is sanded and exposed to the sun 95 percent of the time. I have planted impatiens several times, and each time the flowers died.

I went to a nursery and purchased 16 plants. They looked beautiful, and I was pleased. Then the rains came. The next day they all looked as if they had died overnight.

I called the nursery and was told the plants might be water-logged and to give them a few days to see what would happen. No such luck -- they're gone.

As a novice, I'm confused and would appreciate your advice concerning this plant or any other plant that would survive in the conditions I've described. -- Mrs. L.L., Deerfield Beach.

A. It sounds as if your garden is in a low area subject to flooding and standing water. Impatiens are pretty, but they are winter annuals in South Florida. They should be planted in October and with luck will last until April or May. They like shade and last much better in a shady location. They need to be watered almost daily in a sunny spot but can easily get too much water with excessive rains.

I consider them pretty but excessively troublesome. I would build up your soil a foot or so to counteract the flooding problem and try something more permanent. I like the new dwarf pentas, which are trouble-free and reach only about a foot in height. They come in lavender, a delicate pink and a slightly taller bi-color with a deep pink center that fades to a light pink edge.

Small shrubs such as the dwarf crown of thorns "Fireball" or dwarf pink Indian hawthorne also are excellent choices for a sunny area. I would go for permanence, as you always will be replacing annuals.

Q. Some years ago, I was given a cutting of a house plant. The owner did not know its name. The cutting looked like a twig with nodes on it. I planted it and it grew. I grew many plants for friends, but I never found out its name.

Could you find the name for it using the enclosed drawing? -- E.T., Boca Raton.

A. Your plant is most likely a member of the Dracaena genus. I think it is either ribbon plant, Dracaena sanderiana or Dracaena angustifolia honoriae.

Q. We recently bought a 6-foot-tall Jatropha for our yard and can't find any information about the care of the tree. I'd appreciate your letting me know about watering, sun and care. -- A.I., Boynton Beach.

A. Jatropha is a nice small tree that is very undemanding. It reaches 12 to 15 feet in height and blooms all year. Fertilize in March, June and October with a 13-3-13 or similar fertilizer. After the first two to three weeks of daily watering to get the tree established, irrigate no more than two times a week.

The only insect problem I have observed on Jatropha is scale attack. These small shell-like insects can be controlled with Orthene or Safer's Insecticidal Soap. Spray only if there is a definite insect problem. Follow label directions exactly and spray before 10 a.m. to avoid spray drift.



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