Bud

Timber,

I’m an engineer from Belgium and I have never been involved in any farming activities. So please, be sure that I’m very happy to find some nice guy like you ready to share their experience and to provide some valuable advices. Thank you for this.

Regarding the land, we have 3 main plots located at about 50 kms of Roi-Et.

Each of them are currently rice fields and indeed we will certainly need to make some investments in order to rearrange the land (make it flat and may be improve the drainage), to apply adequate fertilizer (to be determined after soil check) and probably to dig some wells allowing to ensure that a proper moisture will be maintained. I don’t know yet how much all this will cost, but I’ll certainly try to figure it out before really going any further.

As I said in my previous post, I’m slightly bothered about this possible concern regarding the wind. There is indeed no elevated obstacle anywhere around and it seems, according to the guy who checked our land, that the wind could quickly affect the tapping itself. He said that during windy period the rubber will dry on the trunk instead of leaking along the tapping. Still according to him, it should be better to look for some other lands located somewhere along a forest.

If we consider that he is right, do you think that installing a drip irrigation system could be helpful?

I heard that in south of France, farmers are sometimes planting a hedge of bamboos around their fields in order to protect them from the wind. If the wind is really an issue, do you think that it could help?

If anybody else has ever heard something about this possible wind issue, please do not hesitate to post your advices.

Thank you.

Bud

Hi Timber,

Since you advised me to first have the soil of our lan tested before going into planting rubber tree, we haven't made a lot of progress (lack of time).

Very recently, my wife asked a local guy (somebody working for the goverment and helping farmers who want to develop such projects) to have a look to her land and to tell her if it is suitable for rubber trees (location, drainage,...).

According to him the land is good and the water supply should not be a problem. Nevertheless, as it is located in the middle of flat fields with nothing elevated which could somehow protect the trees from the wind, he said that it could a problem and that the rubber tapping could quickly run dry.

What do you think about it ? Are these trees so sensitive that one really needs to carefully select the plot of land according to its location and main wind direction ?

Thank you for your help

Bud

I would think that you may have two problems to look into. One is too much water and the other is not enough Rubber likes lots of water but well drained sites. Look at the drainage layout. You may need a soil test. Being old rice fields they my need a nutrient booser, but then if you are planting need to apply anyhow. Just nice to know what should be applied in way of fertilizer.

Hi Timber,

Thanks for your answer.

We indeed intend to rearrange the layout of those lands and I think that the water shouldn't be a problem. In fact, they have been organized in order to retain the water during the rainy season but they can be flattened out easily, at reasonable cost, in order to allow a better drainage.

On the other hand, my wife says that drilling some wells shouldn't be a problem in this area.

Regarding the soil, we will follow your advise and have it tested.

Do you know any good lab in Roi-Et or Maha Sarakham area ?

Thanks again.

Bud

Hi everybody,

My wife owns some lands in Isan which have been used as rice fields for years.

She recently told me that she would like to plant rubber trees on 2 of her fields (16 Rai each).

Considering that these 2 fields are located at the edge of small villages, and referring to GALONG post, I'd like to know if there is any problem in using them for rubber trees ?