Posts: 32
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Joined: Nov 2010
This is my first post so thanks to any replies
I purchased vacant land in the lower section of Hawaiian acres
It's about 1000ft in elevation.My plan is to come over and plant
fruit,spice,olive,palm.and sandalwood trees.Also flowering gingers.
Then return to the mainland.I will prepare them for
my absence by clearing around them and laying cardboard to prevent
overgrowing of weeds.I believe there will be adequate watering for
rain.I plan on coming once a year for approx 5 year till I move
on a permanent basis.
I am asking if this plan is a good idea? I know pigs could come
and have a feast.Any experienced comments greatly appreciated
TIA
Posts: 71
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Joined: Jan 2006
Hello canistel.
We also have property in Hawaiian Acres. Like you, we do not live here yet, but we already planted some trees so that they have a chance to grow a bit before we make the move. So far, we have had no issues with insufficient rain. Insufficient soil seems to be the challenge.
We only have about a dozen trees planted at this time. We build a circle with lava rocks and fill the area with soil purchased in bags from Wal-mart or Home Depot. The trees get planted in the circles of dirt. After a couple of visits where a considerable amount of time was spent clearing the weeds from around the new trees, we learned to use the soil bags as weed block by placing them on the ground around the new plants. (The bags are ugly, be we aren’t there to see them!) The weeds still come up around the new plantings, but the bags give the new plants a little space and make it a little easier to find the things you planted on your next visit.
We only clear a space for the trees that we are planting. You would be amazed at the number and variety of weeds that pop up in the cleared areas. We leave the rest of the grounds covered in Uluhe, Ohia, and Hapu’u. Uluhe have a way of making it tough for intruding species to get a start.
I suggest that you page through this forum as it contains a remarkable amount of information covering all aspects of living and growing things in the Puna area. I am grateful to those who have shared what they know on this forum.
We wish you the best of luck and look forward to meeting you some day.
Posts: 32
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Joined: Nov 2010
thanks for the reply
You mentioned lack of topsoil,I'll have to check that out.
I am planning on using dolomite to enhance good ph
As far as digging,was an auger needed? I want to keep the natural
foliage as much as possible.Just marry a good mix.I've read Sandalwood needs other tree roots to live healthy.Are there any
plants to avoid for fragileness.Since I'll be letting thrive on their
own.Also anything that could be a takeover plant to avoid Has anybody
grown any spices(cardamon/nutmeg/star anise)? how about Kalamata
olives? Also mangoes@1000ft is this too high? As a summer farmer/
indoor plant lover I'm excited to grow thing that are not possible
here in Oregon.One more how about Eggfruit@1000ft? I love those
sauted w/ eggs and suchi rice is the best. You are right there are
volumes of good info on this site.I too look forward to seeing you in the future.
Posts: 151
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Joined: Jun 2009
Aloha Canistel & Welcome!
I agree that there is so much valuable information here on the how-to's of planting in various areas. Almost any question you would have on gardening has been covered in this forum.
Where in Oregon do you hang your hat? We are part-timers in Pahoa & Oregon, too. Just curious.....have found that several PunaWebbers are originally from Oregon, or are still there, like us.
Dee
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Aloha from another ex-Oregonian. I lived at the end of 8 road in Hawaiian Acres in 1991-92, now live in Leilani at about the same elevation. You can grow just about anything you mentioned though it may be too wet for olives, not sure. There are many things you might regret planting. You can find out which ones at
www.hear.org Chances are if you see large patches of anything growing wild along the roads here, even if it's gorgeous, it's not something you'd want in your yard.
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quote:
Originally posted by leilaniguy
There are many things you might regret planting. You can find out which ones at www.hear.org
Wow, lots of information there. Thanks for that link. I'm sure I'll have to carry around a printout when I start shopping. We did finally get an accepted offer on a lot in Eden Roc. It has good neighbors and some ornamentals and fruit trees planted. We will be also visiting during the years until we can sell our home in WA.
Life goes on, with you or without you.
Peace and long life
Posts: 32
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Joined: Nov 2010
Thanks for the replies
1)I'm from Portland
2) thanks for the Hear link and my place is very close to
where you lived I'm down on 6 by G Do you really think
mangoes would grow there? Were there many pigs back at that
time?
Paul
ps I can't wait for January to go
Posts: 2,484
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We are talking solid rock here. A hand operated auger could kill you when it jams in the rock, and if you are starting on an exposed sheet of pahoehoe the auger will just skitter around without cuttiing. Some people use a jackhammer, either hand operated or mounted on an excavator. There are areas with deep soil in Puna but I think most of Hawaiian Acres has pahoehoe very close to the surface.
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Wow...didn't realize the entire city of Portland was attempting to empty itself into Puna.
Yes, I'm a Portlander too.
Waiting on closing on a lot down by Naalehu.
Back to topic....somewhat....where is the deep soil in Puna anyway? In the week I spent there, poking around in Fern Forest, Eden Roc, Hawaiian Acres, Ainaloa, and Nanawale, I didn't get any deeper than about 8" of soil. Most were like 4".
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South Kopua Rd is the road that takes you down to Eden Roc. In the upper stretch it runs through old pasture land and former cane fields. I stopped to talk story with a fellow who is building a house there, and asked how he had installed the posts for his gate. With a manual post hole digger, he replied. Amazing. Several feet down with a glorified trowel, while I, a couple of miles further down, nearly knocked loose teeth the first time I tried to drive the point of an o'o into the ground. It penetrated maybe an inch and a tiny cloud of rock dust came up. My acquaintance laughed when he heard that and replied that my 1" of soil was probably healthier than his 5' of soil since it had not been farmed on an industrial scale to the point of death as his had.
