Pullout box:
Correction
In last Sunday’s article about Margaret Krimm, the main photo of Margaret that led the article was taken by Craig Elevitch not Nancy Redfeather. It’s the policy of West Hawaii to correct any incorrect or misleading information when it’s brought to the attention of the newspaper
Joan asks: I just bought two acres of raw land at 1,200 feet elevation. I’d like to grow tree crops other than coffee and was thinking of getting some in the ground while we build our house. Where can I get information on growing things like avocados and breadfruit?
Tropical Gardener Answer: Actually those are good choices for your elevation and by wisely selecting good cultivars you can probably get fruit nearly year round. You are smart to get young trees in soon as full production is probably between three and five years down the road.
Several UH publications are available online that can provide you with lots of information that is locally appropriate. Before selecting an avocado cultivar, you might want to read “What Makes a Good Avocado Cultivar Good” at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/F_N-1.pdf. A 25-page publication from 1979 on all aspects of avocado growing is also available at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/C1-382.pdf. A very thorough 50-page publication “Hawaii Breadfruit” is available at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/breadfruit.pdf. Ken Love at ken@mycoffee.net has some avocado and ulu trees available at discounted rates to Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers members. Contact him to see what he has in stock.
If you have the opportunity to attend some of the sessions of the upcoming Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers conference, you can probably get a lot of your cultivation questions on those two fruiting trees answered. The conference begins at 1 p.m. Friday on Kauai.
The main sessions of the conference will be held this year at the Kauai Beach Resort at 4331 Kauai Beach Drive in Lihue. For hotel reservation information you can call (808) 245-1955. They are offering special rates to conference attendees. For a schedule of the entire conference you can go to http://www.hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org/26th_Annual_HTFG_Conference_Agenda.pdf.
Of special interest to you would be the presentation on Saturday morning, October 1 at 8:30 a.m. by Dr. John Yonemoto on “Growing and Harvesting the Best Avocadoes”. Several of the afternoon breakout sessions on that same day might also be of interest.
Maria Stewart will discuss avocado nutrition and Ty McDonald will run a Q&A session on avocados. Hawaii’s breadfruit expert, Diane Ragone will also be offering a breakout session on growing ulu.
The conference moves to Oahu on Monday, Molokai on Tuesday and Hilo on the Big Island on Wednesday. Thursday afternoon and all day Friday the conference will be in Kona. For more information on the Kona sessions contact Brian Lievens at greenwizard@hawaii.rr.com.
Do some research and plan to get your trees planted soon so you can enjoy a bountiful harvest a few years from now.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook. Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by Certified Master Gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
Gardening Events
Monday: “Coffee Quality Workshop” from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with Sunalini Menon. Location available to registered participants. Free to current members of the Ka`u Coffee Growers’ Cooperative or the Palehua Ohana Cooperative who register in advance. Others should call 503-575-9098 or e-mail malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com for more information.
Wednesday: “Proper Pesticide Use and Safety” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the UH Cooperative Extension Service Office across from the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu with Derek Shigematsu of HDOA. Covering safe use and new Worker Protection Standard provisions. Free. CEUs available. Registration required. Contact Gina at 808-322-4892 or ginab@hawaii.edu for information or to register.
Saturday: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Volunteers will be able to help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: “Hooulu Farmers Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Wednesday: “Sunset Farmers Market” 2 p.m. to sunset at the north makai corner of the Kmart parking lot.
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” from 7 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
Sunday: “South Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Tuesday–Saturday: “U-Pick greens and produce” 10a.m. to 4p.m. Tropical Edibles Nursery, Captain Cook.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu – 322-4892
Mon., Tues. & Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu