11-15-2010, 10:07 AM
Aloha Canistel- Welcome, I too have land in "the Acres". I actually have neighbors who live off-island and only visit about once a year. They too have done many plantings, mostly fruit trees. I strongly urge you to use organic methods so as not to further contaminate our precious aina and its water supply. Your thinking on using cardboard mulch is much more desirable than plastic bags which will only photo degrade and further pollute the land with petro-chemicals.
You can maintain tree and shrub plantings with minimal maintenance, however the more initial work you put in, the better. Getting local soils and mulch material trucked in will be better than buying by the bag if you plan on doing any serious ag. The use of a chipper/shredder can also give you free mulch for your return visit(it should sit a while) at no cost (minus the rental cost).
The time of year you plan on visiting should be coordinated with the time your trees may need the most attention e.g.: dryer months when supplemental watering may be needed.
I think you may be a little higher than 1k feet, but I could be wrong, however you can still grow an incredible amount of fruit at your location/elevation, but mangoes do have trouble there, not so much from elevation as from heavy rains during flowering. Coconuts as well are not too viable (as far as fruiting goes), but I have seen some bearing trees even higher than you. Eggfruit should do well, however true sandalwood's success will be related to the layout of your land as well as the tree density on your land. Do you have lots of preferably larger Ohias or are you on one of those lots with mostly Uluhe (stick fern) and tibouchina bushes (abundant bushes with purple flowers) etc.?
Although there is no substitute for experience, good planning and lots of prep work will be you best friend. Don't skimp on the hole for the trees. Give the roots lots of room and lots of organic material and you will have a great chance at success.
PS. Many spices will grow well here, but for many your location may get too wet and need some type of cover. Allspice trees however grow almost effortlessly. God bless in whatever your venture-Aloha
You can maintain tree and shrub plantings with minimal maintenance, however the more initial work you put in, the better. Getting local soils and mulch material trucked in will be better than buying by the bag if you plan on doing any serious ag. The use of a chipper/shredder can also give you free mulch for your return visit(it should sit a while) at no cost (minus the rental cost).
The time of year you plan on visiting should be coordinated with the time your trees may need the most attention e.g.: dryer months when supplemental watering may be needed.
I think you may be a little higher than 1k feet, but I could be wrong, however you can still grow an incredible amount of fruit at your location/elevation, but mangoes do have trouble there, not so much from elevation as from heavy rains during flowering. Coconuts as well are not too viable (as far as fruiting goes), but I have seen some bearing trees even higher than you. Eggfruit should do well, however true sandalwood's success will be related to the layout of your land as well as the tree density on your land. Do you have lots of preferably larger Ohias or are you on one of those lots with mostly Uluhe (stick fern) and tibouchina bushes (abundant bushes with purple flowers) etc.?
Although there is no substitute for experience, good planning and lots of prep work will be you best friend. Don't skimp on the hole for the trees. Give the roots lots of room and lots of organic material and you will have a great chance at success.
PS. Many spices will grow well here, but for many your location may get too wet and need some type of cover. Allspice trees however grow almost effortlessly. God bless in whatever your venture-Aloha