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We are ready to make an offer on a house in Royal Hawaiian Estates. I'd like to compile a list of what we can and cannot grow up there (edible stuff, not floral). I believe it is approx. 3500 feet, and the soil looks to be fine cinder on that particular lot from what i remember. I understand that some things will go be off-limits at that elevation (coconut palms), and some things do particularly well (citrus). We are very open to raised soil beds and maybe even a small greenhouse at some point. Our wishlist includes banana, pineapple, lychee, onion, garlic, avocado, and any kind of palm. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
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Hi, Adam.
Bananas will grow if you have enough sun. I've seen some over in Mauna Loa estates.
Not sure about the others. I would say that you will have more luck with a greenhouse to be able to control the amount of water.
I've never seen an avocado tree up here. I think it might be too cold.
Let us know what works.
Robin
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RHE is from 2800' to 3200'.
I'd like to renew the question, though. Our lot is at 3500 in Ohia Estates. Very curious about what won't grow there, and vacillating between wanting to restore the rain forest and have a mini farm.
Wayne
Edited by - waynesb on 08/05/2007 23:40:18
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Avocados might grow but won't fruit at that elevation. It's also too high for bananas, pineapple and lychee to grow and fruit well. As for other veggies, cold season crops that can stand a lot of rain might do alright, but as for producing anything on a large-ish scale...the only thing I know of that was grown up there in the past was cabbage. Interestingly, although they intensely cultivated lower lands, the Hawaiians never farmed or settled that land, but considered it "wahi kapu" or highly sacred. If you are intent on mini-farming, it would probably be better to look into lower elevation land that has already been cleared. At 3,500' you could have a small garden and call everything in it an experiment. If you have native forest on your land, please preserve it. Our native forests persist in such small little pockets - especially the high elevation ones. Every little bit helps. Even something as simple as preserving the trees that form a continuous canopy can make the difference in having certain native birds on your land or not. If you enjoy gardening, then you will certainly want to use some space for that, but there is no other place on Earth where the Hawaiian rainforest grows... It is uniquely beautiful, and once disturbed or cleared, cannot be replaced easily - or at all. If you are lucky enough to live there, take time to learn from and enjoy this sacred place. The Volcano Community Association is a great resource for new residents in your situation. They put out a great brochure called "Building in the Forest" which you can see on their website:
http://www.volcanocommunity.org/index.html
If you ask them, they will also send someone out to walk your land with you and let you know what kinds of trees, plants and animal habitat is there. They can also hook you up with people who have found some very stylish ways to integrate their homes into the Volcano area forest and have either preserved or restored native plant communities on their land. The Volcano Arts Center (in Volcano Village) is also a wonderful resource. They offer classes in native plant ID and other interesting things ranging from art to Hawaiian culture. When you're up there it's worth a visit because they are situated in Niaulani kipuka, an old growth rainforest. There is a free guided tour down the .5 mile trail every Monday from 9:30 to 10AM, but you can walk it by yourself any time and take a look at the some of the gems of our native forests.
Aloha,
Mitzi
Uluhe Design
Native Landscape Design
uluhedesign@yahoo.com
Uluhe Design
Native Landscape Design
uluhedesign@yahoo.com
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Avocados originated from three different strains, Guatemalan, West Indian and Mexican. The first two and their hybrids are generally not cold adapted. The Mexican strain is cold tolerant and the pure varieties can withstand freezing temperatures. The negative with the Mexican varieties is that the fruit tends to be smaller. You can try Mexican varieties like Bacon, Mexicola and Zutano.
Larry
Larry
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The lot is already as cleared as it will ever get. It was done very responsibly. They left a nice buffer of Hapu'u and Ohia in the front and back. Actually we can't even really see the house on the lot in front of ours. There's just enough room for an ok sized yard.
That being said...
For starters, how should lemons and limes do? And yes, we are more like 3000 feet, not 3500.
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I haven't seen limes up here but I've seen a number of healthy lemon trees that make lots of lemons....not my scrawny little tree, but...
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I really didn't buy with the intention of being able to farm there. I bought the best house on the best lot for the best price (just like everybody wants to, right?) I am fully aware that I could grow a full host of things down in lower Puna, and that I have more limited options up in Volcano. We really aren't looking to grow a ton of stuff to take to farmer's market or anything like that. All we want to know is what CAN we grow just for use in our own kitchen?
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Since not too many Volcano gardeners are responding, I will give you my opinions on what you should try to grow, staying with cool season crops:
cabbages(which includes broccoli, cauliflower)
lettuces
potatoes
turnips
carrots
onion...at least green
spinach and other greens
peas
celery
strawberries may do well
Now you may have to be very watchful of insects on these crops and turn to soap sprays, row covers or growing in a shadecloth structure if to much insect damage. You will also need good drainage.
I am not sure on tree crops.
