Coffee as a hedge

[hpp4me]

Could cacao/Chocolate be used as a hedge, or does it require more shade? We're in the drier, hotter part of HPP.

[Kelena]

HPP4Me: No leaves for me. I am thinking of something more along these lines until I get my hedge filled in, if you know what I mean and I think you do. I have the same question that you do about cacao/chocolate. I am thinking it MIGHT be okay in this location, because the hedge itself shades the plant behind it for part of the day. Hedge runs parallel to Paradise Drive (in orientation -- we are not close to Paradise Dr.)

CAREY: I just love the idea of edible or usable hibiscus. The purple one sounds pretty nice. I do have hibiscus along there and they are doin just fine.

Mella: It's pretty smoky and hot down here today! Hope all is well where you are. I am going to put lilikoi on or near my backwall....once I get a backwall (or fence -- I am completely mystified as to how Rob got his fence up so quickly -- I need to ask him who did that).

Both cats: I am liking this coffee thing more and more. The hedge is a semi-shady area because of the orientation, but I imagine my climate is pretty similar to yours Cat.

Shekelpal: Crazy neat idea! I love the look of those cacao plants. Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers is really focusing on these. Apparently, cacao grows really well right up to the 20th parallel. There is a move afoot to make cacao a viable specialty agriculture on Hawai'i Island. The processing is pretty intense, but the plants are very green and beautiful. I think they are going to make it into the mix. I e-mailed the chair of the cacao section of HTFG (there is such a thing), so I will see what she says about my location.

Mitzi: I'm not the one who is going to be doing any handstands if anyone. I just want my guests to be able to feel free to do those! I love the look of alahe'e, and I do want to create a little island of natives to the greatest extent possible. Home Depot (I Know!) has a little natives section. I planted one in my front garden in June, but it had croaked by October. I think the rainy season is probably a better time to plant and run.

Alright, everyone. I think it is going to be coffee. I have some other gaps and I think I am going to try cacao, too and an alahe'e, too. Plenty of gaps, but only one right in front of the pool and patio. This forum never fails. I promise to actually see some of you next time I come over.

[Kapohocat]

I just remembered - rosemary would do well as a hedge too as well as tea (tea, not ti). And like coffee plants you could harvet your own for a beverage.

[Kelena]

Wait a minute -- you can make tea out of rosemary? Does rosemary grow in Puna? Not too wet? I love the smell and look of rosemary,

[Liz]

Rosemary is growing great here in Hawaiian Shores! It even did well when we were gone for 10 months at a time. Likes sun. Lots of rain seems to be okay as long as there is really good drainage - cinders are perfect. Wouldn't call mine hedge height, though.
Smells great on the bbq!

aloha, Liz

"The best things in life aren't things."

[Sean]

Hey Glen,
I saw a dwarf coffee tree for sale at the Makuu farmers market, well at least the label said it was a dwarf. Only time will tell.

Sean

[allngood]

Coffee will make a nice hedge, little pruning and you are good to go.
Caaco will not make a good hedge, foliage forms a canopy as tree matures. Limbs branch out.
Tea might work, but maybe too short. For more info on tea, see this article:http://www.hanahou.com/pages/magazine.as...5&Page=1
Allen

[Kelena]

Oh, hey. I want that tree! Was it the Amer-Asian lady? I love her stuff and she is very knowledgeable.

Allngood: Think I am going to hide the cacao behind the mango, near a wall (a wall I don't have yet).

[allngood]

Cacao should do well under the mango tree. It is an under story plant.
Plant out mature seedling minimum 3 ft. Watch out for the nasty rose beetle.

[Kelena]

But won't it grow INTO the mango tree?? Does the rose beetle bite?