Planting trees on ripped lava, HPP

[zoos47]

Rookie gardener questions

I recently bought a lot in HPP. The property was already ripped / graded (no cinder yet). I plan to build in 2 years, but hoping to get a head start on planting trees / foliage.

RE planting trees. I was planning to order a truck load of soil. At each tree location, I would remove an area of lava rock and fill the hole with soil. Then plant the tree. Is this the correct way? I plan to plant mango, avocado, coconut palms and a couple others.

Also, any referrals for HPP or local nurseries very appreciated.
Thanks!
Scott

Scott

[lquade]

the only thing i would add: after you dig each hole, put in a 5 gallon bucket of water and see if it drains... even on ripped land. if it doesn't, move on...

[zoos47]

Thanks Lquade and JustinK! I really appreciate your advice. Will definitely go with the "mounds above ground" approach. Thanks again!

Scott

[terracore]

We're in Orchidland (the other side of the highway from HPP) and have 6 ripped acres full of trees. The only thing we do for trees is remove enough of the ripped rocks to make a hole for the tree and sprinkle some dolomite into the hole before putting the tree in. We only add whatever soil came with the tree and whatever back filling is needed. That's it. You will have to fertilize the trees. Somebody with more knowledge can weigh in on that. We use mainly manure from our animals.

You didn't say what your altitude is but many varieties of coconut do not fruit above sea level. If you are looking to harvest coconuts you'll want to get a dwarf high altitude variety.

I would recommend adding papaya to your list, they fruit pretty much continuously and soon after planting. Ours are all grown from seed from papayas we bought at the farmers market.

I wouldn't invest a lot of money in trees if you are going to be a vacant landowner for awhile. Pigs will be tough on whatever you plant. Only plant what you can afford to lose. Whatever you decide to plant, consider how long they will have to grow before fruiting and if a grafted version is available that will fruit pretty much as soon as it gets over the transplant.

ETA: Nursery in HPP: https://www.facebook.com/Rozetts/ (there are others as well)

You should also check out the live plants at Pahoa Feed.

We get a lot of stuff from Walmart and Home Depot. You can get the Plant-It-Hawaii stuff there year round.

You should also consider planting bananas and coffee trees, though the pigs can be brutal on bananas.

[dayna]

Also people are known to steal plants on vacant lots.

Dayna

www.E-Z-Caps.com

[Durian Fiend]

The strategy described for planting is sound, but I would either use cinder soil or mix a lot of cinder with the soil.

HPP: Coconuts should fruit anywhere in this subdivision, though a dwarf variety is definitely a good idea. Also with mango and avocado, go with proven, grafted cultivars.

[zoos47]

Thank you everyone for the great advice! I will certainly implement. Thank you again!
Scott

Scott