These days, we are inundated with numerous podcasts, videos and streaming possibilities. Only a few address our real on-the-ground concerns and even fewer are locally produced. To tap into some valuable information for local gardeners and growers in Hawaii you might want to check out the free offerings at this year’s Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Conference.
“Mango Makers and Food Preservers” goes beyond mangos, with recently recorded presentations on everything from fruit drying to ulu culture and a new report on the avocado lace bug. The 31st annual HTFG conference is virtual again this year with the recorded presentations available now at HTFG.org. A chance to ask questions of the speakers will be offered starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday via Zoom.
Stephen Brady is the keynote speaker at this year’s conference. He began his lifelong interest in mangoes when he planted his first mango seed at the age of seven. He has spent most of his life growing and collecting exotic tropical fruit. Stephen lives in Naples, Florida, where he helped found the Naples Botanical Garden and curated its tropical fruit and edible plants collection. He teaches classes frequently and offers a series on mangoes annually at the University of Florida.
Stephen’s presentation is in three parts. Available online now is his PowerPoint presentation with valuable information on growing mangos. This might be of special interest to new growers. His second presentation on mango culture and cultivation offers facts and figures for those considering growing mangos commercially. In Stephen’s third talk, he focuses on mango selection, offering ways to choose the right mango to grow in your particular location. He reviews about ten varieties that grow well in Florida that might also do well here. He also shares a mango rating sheet that can help you decide what mango variety you might like to grow.
Ken Love, executive director of the HTFG West Hawaii chapter, declared, “one of the most exciting things about connecting with Stephen was his discussion of several new mango varieties that have been developed in Florida and are suitable for cultivation in Hawaii.”
State Sen. Mike Gabbard, D-Oahu, is currently the chairperson of the Senate Committee on of the Agriculture and Environment. He recorded a recap of legislative action relating to agriculture for this year’s HTFG conference that is also available alone.
Sharon Hurd with the state Department of Agriculture’s Market Development Branch delivers a short presentation on ways the state continues to offer marketing help to local growers. She discusses current HTFG projects with her department and offers information on upcoming grant opportunities as well as application guidelines.
Several other short presentations are also available. One on the McPhail fruit fly trap developed at UH-Hilo and several that present the Tatura trellis technique for growing mangos. In addition to introducing the technique, two virtual tours are available that were recorded at Umi’s farm on Kauai where this technique is being used successfully.
A presentation by Jane Tai, the vice president of Hawaii Master Food Preservers, gives information on fruit dehydration and creating value added products using this preservation method. She discusses various drying techniques and offers some interesting recipes.
Mark Suiso, president of HTFG’s Oahu Chapter and owner of Makaha Mangos, also prepared a presentation for the conference.
In his PowerPoint, he emphasizes the importance of a proper growing environment, the selection of suitable varieties and the best management of your trees. He takes you through the factors for successful mango growing from site and variety selection to planting and to post harvest handling.
State Statistician Shawn Clark filed an interesting report from the local field office of USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The service surveys farmers in each state collecting data that can help growers identify trends and best practices while offering information that can help set prices for produce. In his talk, he made clear that he is available to provide data from their surveys and discuss ways it can be used by farmers.
Also included in this conference is an update on research of banana clones that are resistant to banana bunchy top virus. The UH-Manoa project, which started in 2015, has found four clones that are more resistant to this disease than the “apple” or “cavendish” varieties currently being grown. His talk discusses the clones and how to manage banana fields to control BBTV. The “Highgate” clone has recently been distributed throughout the state and is now available on neighbor islands. Further research is ongoing at the Komohana Research and Extension Service in Hilo preparing the three remaining resistant clones for distribution, hopefully in early 2022.
A short talk by Dorothy Alontaga, with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, reviews the expanding mainland market for Hawaii crops. More than a 145 products can now be marketed on the mainland. She outlines the steps required to ship fruit, vegetables and herbs to mainland markets and encourages Hawaii growers to help expand the list of local products that can be accepted in mainland markets.
While at the HTFG website you can also join the organization, get on their mailing list or checkout their blog and other information on growing tropical fruit in Hawaii. Be sure to look through their files and informative publications while at the website.
If you still want more information on tropical fruit from local sources, UH-CTAHR has numerous free publications available at their website online. Search in the fruit, nut and beverage crops area for specific publications addressing the plant of your choice.
This conference is a great opportunity to get some free information on growing and processing tropical fruit here in Hawaii. Hopefully, you’ll be able to take advantage of this chance to educate yourself on enjoying some delicious fruit.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.
Gardening Events
Every 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. Come with a mask and be prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Call Peter at (808) 323-3318 for more information.
Available now: “Crop Insurance presentation covering CLR” at https://bit.ly/3kbxRGr.
Tuesday: “Q&A Session for the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Conference on “Mango Makers and Food Preservers” starting at 10 a.m. Conference presentations have been uploaded at www.htfg.org.
Oct. 28: “Bean to Tree – Cacao Growing Strategies in Hawaii” from 3 to 5 p.m. at the HTFG office 81-6393 Mamalahoa Highway. Kenta Nemoto has been growing cacao in Lapahoehoe and will share his experience from planting to post harvest. Open to the public. For more information contact West Hawaii HTFG President, Brian Lievens at (808) 895-8753 or greenwizard@hawaii.rr.com.
Farmer Direct Markets (check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday: “Ho‘oulu Farmers Market” at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
Information on their online market at keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
“Waimea Homestead Farmers Market” from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
“Hamakua Harvest” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Highway 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka‘a
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu at (808) 322-4893.