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amanda starts with ... I am no expert - but from the forum it seems like a lot of people are trying to grow outside their climate, soils, etc. That's fine - go for it - but remember this - it is far better to grow a common plant exceedingly well than a rare plant exceedingly badly. Anything in our garden that needs excessive water ($$$) or chemicals :-( - gets ditched. You may have the money for the water bill to grow exotic fruit- but does the planet? Leave them for FNQ or start recycling ALL of your water. If u have to spray heaps of chemicals on it because of your local environment - is it worth it? Some shop produce is actually not that bad (eg: my apples are not that much better for the effort and my bananas are a waste of time for the amount of water that i have to use) Be wise in your choices. I would no sooner try to grow a cherry in my climate than fly to the moon - but I grow wicked strawberry guavas! Be content with what u can grow well and easily in your area - without any obscene use of water and chemicals. We all want to collect some of these amazing plants on these pages and I am no different - BUT - if it's 'fussy' - it goes...! As an example 4 me - a home-grown (n humble) mandarin tastes better than anything i have ever had in any shop to date. Is that so bad? Dare I say it but....A good mandarin is as yummy to me as a good custard apple! and for different reasons. Happy gardening - but if u have to pour water n chemicals on your mangoe trees (for example) - then u may as well buy the out of season mexican ones....because that's what happens with 2nd and third world fruit and fruit grown either: out of season, out of climatic range, in bad soils etc etc. Grow what u want - but grow it well - it's better for u! | About the Author amanda19 geraldton WA 11th May 2009 1:51am #UserID: 2309 Posts: 4607 View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees |
Jantina says... Hi Amanda, you have some very good points there, however maybe not everyone who has a go at marginal food plants uses chemicals (I certainly don't) or uses excessive (at which point does water use become excessive ?)water on their fruit trees/bushes. Drip irrigation with mulching is very effective.Home grown food can be done sustainably and thoughtfully, a lot of pollution is caused by food transport, not to mention the chemicals used by conventional growers as well as unsustainable fertilizer and soil practices. Most people need an interest or hobby in life and in my view if that means pushing the envelope in regard to some marginal food plants then good on them, better than spending time at the pokies or buying designer clothes. Happy gardening to all. | About the Author Jantina Mt. Gambier S.A. 11th May 2009 12:35pm #UserID: 1351 Posts: 1272 View All Jantina's Edible Fruit Trees |
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John I. says... Hi Amanda, I agree with Jantina. You make a number of valid points and you have a good common sense approach to gardening. I do think though that you have oversimplified your arguments. By this I mean that growing fruit more suited to your climate does not mean that you are not going to have just as many issues with pests and disease. I continually have problems with codling moth (on/in my apples) and leaf curl with my stone fruit. I also grow bananas and realise that they do like a lot of water. So what I have done is created a banana pit to take advantage of the water holding capacity of my heavy clay soil. I throw my garden waste and grey water into the pit to feed the plants that surround it, and use a good layer of mulch. There are often common sense solutions to many of the issues you point out. That's what so great about this forum site. Lots of people have lots of great ideas for solving a wide range of problems. | About the Author John I1 Melbourne 11th May 2009 1:46pm #UserID: 2315 Posts: 5 View All John I1's Edible Fruit Trees |
Julie says... amanda, I tend to agree with you. I do experiment with different plants, - we all love variety - but if they need too much fussing I give up. Life is too short, and too many other things to do. As an example (not a fruit tree), when I lived in Perth I tried growing Pittosporum. Every year it was invaded by the Pittosporum beetle. So eventually I replaced it. Where I live now, in the hills, Pittosporum thrives because the soil is quite different, and the nights are colder in winter. The beetle is not a problem here. I have also been a follower of Permaculture for over 20 years, and one of its principles is to grow plants that will thrive in your situation. Find out what works well and grow that!It still leaves a lot to choose from. BTW, I totally agree about the mandarins. Never had such delicious fruit as from my own, organically-grown tree. | About the Author Roleystone WA 11th May 2009 5:57pm #UserID: 0 Posts: View All 's Edible Fruit Trees |
amanda says... Dear All, thanks for the feedback. I too use no nasty chemicals. I have put my money where my mouth is and have 50,000l of rainwater storage (lucky if i fill them!) and we have a Biolytix waste water treatment system (takes all black and grey water) - this irrigates the orchard. But..... I try to be reasonable - the town 50km north of here has literally run of water - all ground water gone and 100yr old trees left to die - they now have water trucked in. Too close for comfort. We have had: 197mm, 205mm, 400mm annual rainfall over last 3yrs (= semi arid zone now) We have had 1mm rain since last yr. This could happen anywhere in Aust at anytime. I use pressure compensated drip irrigation only - but need a venturi system to get liquid fertiliser to my many fruit trees as we have no rain to do the job - drippers not so good for this. My tonnes of manure hasn't done much except make the soil more water repellent and sits as a dry mass on top. I grow worms to help with this but even they struggle. I would love to be able to grow tamarillos, for example - but after 1yr of total frustration with heat, wind and aphids I concede defeat!! Guess i will just have to buy them. We can grow almost anything here but the lack of water and extreme sunshine makes it pretty tough. I am enjoying adapting my taste buds to different things. PS the banana plant is getting the chop 2morrow! | About the Author amanda19 geraldton WA 12th May 2009 9:23pm #UserID: 2309 Posts: 4607 View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees |