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We have a large sunken spot on our pahoehoe lava (3 ft. or so deep - area drains quite well); anyway, we would like to plant fruit trees in this area & are wondering if we should fill it with cinder soil or pay the extra for cinder soil w/macnut?
Also... We planted bananas, papayas, & pineapples in our pahoehoe lava & they are growing but so slow. What should I feed them (any organic choices?)? Thanks so much for your expert advice!
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far from the green thumb qualification but I would go with the cinder soil (for some water retention) and some of the macnut for mulching. Trees should do fine there. As far as feeding the tropical fruits, I go to Garden Exchange and buy my fertilizer there. They mix up batches for each kind plant, flower, or tree with there own recipe...
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If your low spot has more dirt there than other places then bananas would be ideal in that area. They love mucky deep dirt. Maybe taro there too.
Your papayas pineapples and bananas growing on the pahoehoe would all benefit from a large mound of mulch at their base. If the plant cannot have a wide deep hole dug then building up around it with organic matter is a good option. If you really want a plant to thrive get some livestock. Guinea pigs or rabbits in big mobile cage next to your favorite plant will do it wonders as their waste fall and feed the foliage. Other good store-bought organic fertilizers are 888 complehumus or the 4-4-5 pellet. Store bought chicken manures may claim to be organic but I'm wary. Who knows what hormones are feed to those birds.
Another good amendment to added mulch and soil around your plants would be biochar to hold all the nutrients longer.
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As far as I know the cheapest place for fertilizer is BEI in Hilo. I'm pretty sure all the other places buy there and resell. The minimum purchase is 50 pounds, however that bag may cost you less than the 20 pound bag at Home Depot.
If you've never been there its not like a regular store with a showroom. It's a warehouse you're not allowed into and you go into the office to buy and they bring it out to you (like a feed store). The people there are very knowledgeable and if you're not sure what to get they will tell you what everybody else has had luck with. I recommend opening an account with them (free) so that when you go back there you can ask what you bought last time.
ETA:
http://www.beihawaii.com/
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Unless it is different for different things, when I went into BEI a few days ago, a sign said the minimum purchase was $200!!
I get a 50# bag of 10-20-20 (N-P-K) from Garden Exchange on sale for $29, every few weeks, and use it on everything. I then dissolve urea (46% N = nitrogen) in water (1 tablespoon/gal plus 1 tablespoon/gal soluble kelp)and apply it to plants that need it, i.e., depending on the rain. I also spread some kelp meal or neem seedcake meal (Co-op) where plants look 'peaked'.
Allen
Finally in HPP
Allen
Finally in HPP
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I haven't been to BEI in awhile. If the minimum purchase is now $200 that is a great disturbance in the force. Thanks for the info.
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Allen, what does "peaked" mean?
As to BEI, I sure hope the minimum isn't $200, they're going to lose a good bit of business. I did buy a lot of stuff from them, but that was several months ago.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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"peaked" (peak ed, not like a mountain peak) is a Southernism for not looking good! 40 years in Louisiana will do that to you!
I just saw the $200 sign and did not ask any questions. I just turned around and left.
Allen
Finally in HPP
Allen
Finally in HPP
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I wanted to call or visit them to ask about the $200 minimum order but because they are only open Mon-Fri 9-5 (we used to call those "bankers hours", but most banks are open in the evenings and weekends now) wasn't able to do so, so I sent them an email to ask about it.
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Here is their answer. No $200 minimum order:
"Minimum for will call is 50.00. We usually do not deliver to homeowners and the minimum for delivery is 350.00. Required is a paved road and a large turn around area for our truck. Forklift is preferred but if not help to unload is required. Feel free to call me back with any questions.
Mahalo,
Jean"
