11-06-2010, 11:38 PM
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.
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.