drtreelove

18 hours ago, BritManToo said:

 Common on cannabis plants in high humidity.

Yes, but not necessarily so with best management practices.  Susceptibility is there partially due to genetics; strains are developed for certain desirable traits and disease resistance is not always a priority. 

Resistance to pests and diseases can be enhanced with good soil fertility and water management. 

Why Are My Eggplants Turning Yellow? – Bountiful Gardener

From the description, it sounds like "powdery mildew".  But photos, plant ID, description of growing conditions and management would help with remote diagnosis and treatment recommendations. 

An advanced disease condition is difficult to cure, but suppression and preventive management may help to minimize the damage and prevent future infections.   Its best to focus on improvement of growing condtions, soil and water management that builds natural resistance to disease.

I would avoid high NPK chemical fertilizer products like Phostrogen liquid plant food and go with a slow release complete organic fertilzer like Organic Totto, and/or worm castings (vermicompost). 

Instead of chemical fungicide, I would use Potassium bicarbonate, or a biological fungicide like Trichoderma harzianum or Bacillus subtilis. 

POTASSIUM BICARBONATE(FOOD GRADE) for pH buffer and use as Organic fungicide | Lazada PH

Powdery Mildew: Symptoms, Treatment and Control | Planet Natural

Also consider fish fertilizer if you can find a good quality product. 

I recommend the bokashi fertilizer from Organic Totto.  25kg sack for 350 plus delivery. 

I use this in combination with vermicompost from Biosurge Thailand, now merged with Best Garden State (on FB) 

 Organic Fertilizer Worm Winner Vermicompost from Thailand (biosurgethailand.com)

BGS has two or three COF blends (complete organic fertilizer). I would trust the quality, but they don't list the ingredients and I haven't used their COF products myself. 

Also consider inoculation with beneficial soil micro-organisms from SV Biotech/ Grotech, they have a product called Mycortech Biostimulant.  I haven't used it but its along the lines of other soil biology inoculants that I have used for soil improvment. 

This new generation soil fertility enhancement plus mulching and good water management is the best way to go in my opinion, for optimum plant health, nutrient density, flowers, color, fragrance, taste and productivity .

Avoid outdated products and practices, high NPK, high salts chemical fertilizers that are still being promoted by ag shops, advisors and growers who are not up to date with modern best management practices. 

Bokashi fertilizer.docx

5 hours ago, drtreelove said:

Close, but no cigar. ????   I'm no taxonomist, but I've got the book and the fascination, and that one looks to me like Dipterocarpus alatus. (another species in the Dipterocarp family).  I'll forward the pic to my friend for confirmation, who is an expert in native trees of northern Thailand. Photos of entire tree and close up of leaves would help. 

 

D. alatus is the species of large trees planted along the 106, CM - Lamphun Rd.  

 

Forest Trees of Northern Thailand  (Gardener)  pg 64  (Key to seed ID for the family Dipterocarpaceae, includes Dipterocarpus, Hopea, Shorea, all with winged seeds).  

Well, I'm wrong. My friend IDs it as a seed from Dipterocarpus tuberculatus  'Phluang'.

"Listed by the RFD as the most abundant forest tree in Chiang Mai Province". 

20 hours ago, kokesaat said:

Hopea odorata (Takhian)

Our neighbor has several in his yard that border ours.  Huge trees.  I like to watch the helicopter seeds flutter down

Close, but no cigar. ????   I'm no taxonomist, but I've got the book and the fascination, and that one looks to me like Dipterocarpus alatus. (another species in the Dipterocarp family).  I'll forward the pic to my friend for confirmation, who is an expert in native trees of northern Thailand. Photos of entire tree and close up of leaves would help. 

D. alatus is the species of large trees planted along the 106, CM - Lamphun Rd.  

Forest Trees of Northern Thailand  (Gardener)  pg 64  (Key to seed ID for the family Dipterocarpaceae, includes Dipterocarpus, Hopea, Shorea, all with winged seeds).  

What makes you think this is a pest?  I can't really get a close up with the low resolution photos, but it appears to be a superficial fungal or epiphyte growth (lichen).  If there are no signs of damage, decline, die-back, then relax and realize that trees are a host environment to multiple organisms and usually a complex ecosystem on their own.  Stop applying all kinds of substances that may suppress the very biome that keeps pests and pathogens under control. 

If you really think that this is more than an obsession with a cosmetic issue and that a damaging pest lor disease is present, post or preferrably email me high res photos and photos of the entire tree and site with description of the damage that your perceive being done. don

Also:  Aden Health Foods at JingJai market, near KamTieng plant market and Lotus SuperHwy.

No produce or meats, and not a vitamin shop, but they have some good supplemental health food items. Nice folks. Check it out. 

Aden Health food store "ร้านสุขภาพเอเดนเชียงใหม่" - Home | Facebook

Farm Foods Market at Raum Chok,   1001 (CM-Phrao) and 3029 (middle ring road)

FarmFoodsMarket - Home | Facebook

Produce, eggs, frozen meat from Rim Ping Organic Farm and others. 

On 3/17/2022 at 12:21 PM, 33 RPM said:

Thanks, ive had excellent results with Seasol, i brought a few bottles with me, but nearly all used up.

ill have a look at the Super Thrive you mentioned

Essential Plus 1-0-1 is what I have used extensively in California as a primary ingredient with all my organic program fertilizer tank mixes, not only for new plantings and rooting. 

Its not currently available in Thailand as far as I know, but may be in Australia and Singapore.  

Essential®-Plus-1.pdf Turf_Essential_Plus.pdf

Seasol is a seaweed/kelp based solution, which is rich in beneficial enzymes and micro-nutrients, and far better for the purpose you have indicated than a rooting hormone or a high NPK chemical fertilizer (which does more harm than good in my opinion). 

I recommend a combination of Kelp and a Humic acid.  Best Garden State on FB has a high quality Kelp solution and a Potassium Humate product. 

In my early career as a tree transplant crew foreman, we used a product called SuperThrive with every backfill-watering-in.  I've used it ever since and have a near 100% survive and thrive success with plantings. I notice that SuperThrive is available through Lazada. Check it out and maybe add a dash to your kelp and humates mix. 

On 3/7/2022 at 9:12 AM, overherebc said:

OP, just be careful if you get a local 'gardener' to cut any grass you do get growing well. 99% of them tend to cut back to soil level using what I call 'industrial scalpers' usually called strimmers. In 10 minutes they can turn a nice green lawn into a fair representation of the sahara and it can take a long time to recover depending on the time of year.

So true, thank you for pointing that out. It is an important aspect of managment and water use.  Mow weekly at 3" height for better grass health and soil moisture retention. Frequent mowing minimizes the cut blade portion and  volume of clippings, so that it can be returned to the soil with a mulching mower and not trapped in a catcher and disposed of. 

Soil preparation is everything, for long term turf health and water use efficiency, no matter which grass you select. 

You get what you pay for. Six-inch depth incorporation of vermicompost, composted chicken manure, and a slow release complete mineral organic fertiizer will buy you better turf establishment, healthy green grass and water efficiency than the common local method of cheapass minimal soil improvements.  

Yaa Malaysia is the broadleaf variety, beautiful, cool and soft to walk and play on, and it will squeeze out weeds and and ant nests when established.  But it will require more water than the smaller leaf blade Zoysia varieties below, all things considered. Yaa Malaysia is suited for partial shade, but can do well with sun exposure if mowed high with a mulching mower, and watered adequately. 

There have been tons of discussions over the years on this as well as the farming forum.  Here's from one of the threads.

The most commonly available Thailand turf grasses

Zoysia matrella  "Yaa Nuan Noi" 

Zoysia japonica - "Yaa Yippon" (Japanese grass).

Axonopus compressus  "Yaa Malasia" (broadleaf carpet grass)

https://aseannow.com/topic/1162641-landscaping-and-planting-a-lawn/

On 3/9/2022 at 12:56 AM, Neeranam said:

Thanks Don, I've decided to leave it and look for another in my new home. 

I think that's a good decision. Too bad after you waited 8 years for the delicious fruit abundance. 

Once a tree is larger than what can be dug and wrapped or boxed and moved by a two man crew with a dolly and a pickup, then it can get quite expensive and the chances of survival are decreased. 

On 3/14/2022 at 8:41 PM, kickstart said:

Something I should have said about bone meal and its high Ph containt.

Here in Thailand it is one of the main sauces of Ca and Ph in cattle minerals  ,could not say if it has been adulterated.

So "grass fed" is not possible with commercial dairy production?  And herbivores are being made into bone-munching carnivores.  Isn't that some kind of adulteration in itself? 

BTW, off topic. Blood and Bone reminds me of the martial arts movie by that name, Michael Jai White at his best, drawing blood and breaking bones. 

On 3/8/2022 at 8:48 PM, kickstart said:

https://shopee.co.th/-250g-650g-1500g-Bone-Meal-Organic-Fertiliser-Fertilizer-i.498678912.11522423237

 Not quite what the OP was looking for ,would be a good sauce of Ca.

Could not find Blood and Bone fertilizer in LOS. 

Bone meal is used primarily as a Phosphorus supplement, not as dependent on acid pH for the P availability as is rock phosphate. Slow release Calcium goes along with the bones. Bone meal is often adulterated with fillers and chemicals, so finding a higher quality pure product like Best Garden State offers is an advantage. (No I'm not on their payroll.)

Blood meal is not as easy to find in Thailand because its not a customary soil amendment and most of the slaughterhouse blood goes for people food.

Blood meal is used as a quick release high N amendment in organic fertilizers, much like bat guano, usually  9 to 12% N, some blood meal is 15%N.  This can be combined with slow release feather meal and/or seed meal in correct proportions. 

Its always best to use soil amendments based on a laboratory soil analysis and a prescription written by an agronomist.  You can throw things out of balance with guess work and heresay. 

Its even better to get on board with the latest soil-biology based science and practices being promoted by the Soil Food Web School and Regenerative Agriculture movement. There is a tremendous wealth of information out in the last 10 years that makes obsolete much of what we learned and used before that for soil and plant management. 

I'm not sure, but ask at this office, which is associated with the Dept of Ag biological control program. 

If you're in the south, they have a Surat Thani office but I don't have that info. 

This is pre-pandemic contact info, I'm not sure of current status of this program or if this office is still functional and responding. 

Chon Buri Pest Management Center

Government office in Pattaya, Thailand

Address: 15 Moo 11, Tambon Nong Prue, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, 20150, Thailand

Phone: +66 38 231 271

Dr Thiwa, director

You can also consider other methods and materials for organic program compatible pest managment. Post here with your region, host plant, growing conditions, and specific pest concerns with photos, and you may get some useful tips on alternatives. 

Additional informational resources from Dr Elaine Ingham - Soil Food Web School; John Kempf - Advancing Eco-Agriculture; and Dr Olivier Husson.. 

John Kempf and Elaine Ingham webinar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRZe2kPAEFA

The Soil Food Web 2021 with Dr. Elaine Ingham - R-FUTURE 2021 REPLAY - YouTube

Episode 127 | John Kempf on Soil Redox, Energy, & Nutrient Availability [A Regenerative Future] - YouTube

OLIVIER HUSSON

Husson OLIVIER | System Agronomist. Agroecologist | PhD; Ir. | Cirad - La recherche agronomique pour le développement, Montpellier | CIRAD | Unité propre de recherche Agroécologie et Intensification Durable des systèmes de cultures Annuelles (AIDA) (researchgate.net)

Watch "Olivier Husson: Redox Potential and Reduction-Oxidation Reactions | 2019 Soil & Nutrition Conference" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/qZstiT5_gEA 

On 8/30/2021 at 4:31 PM, stubuzz said:

Blue is 15-15-15 (NPK)

White is 10-10-10 (NPK)

Brown ?

White probably 46-0-0

Brown  possibly 16-16-16 or 0-0-60 Potassium chloride. 

But I recommend avoiding all these harsh chemical fertilizers that are out of date and obsolete in the context of the latest science and best managment practices.  These chemistries boost only certain plant nutrients for a superficial growth and green and bulk productivity response. They do not provide complete plant nutrition, and there are harmful side effects on soil health, livestock and human health in the chemically grown food we eat.

It's like meth, you may like that energy but are unaware or don't care about the damage it does. 

Best Garden State on FB. 

  High quality bone meal. 5 kg 150 baht or truck-loads. I haven't used their blood meal. 5kg 500 baht,

Not Korat. Nakhon Pathom or best to order online.  

Transplanting is possible, but there are some things to consider, size of tree, site and soil conditions, location, accessibility for equipment both at the existing site and the new site, and of course your budget.  Small trees are easy and moving it could be successful if done right, but your 8-yo tree may be approaching a size that would be a challenge, depending on all factors. 

Fruiting and new growth could be stalled for a couple of years as the tree recovers from transplant shock and establishes a root system in the new site. Follow up disease suppression, fertility and especially water management is critical for transplant maintenance. 

Post or PM photos of the entire tree and site, showing soil surface area and nearby paving, structures etc, and access route to get close with a pickup or larger truck. A crane-assist is often needed to move a large boxed tree. 

Your geographical location is also important to know, for finding an available professional tree moving crew.  Local laborers would brutalize and minimize the root ball taken and reduce chances of survival.  Don

Yes, rust infections, mealy bugs and other issues are common with plumeria that are physiologically stressed from poor growing conditions and management insufficiencies, primarily soil and water management. 

What the chemical control oriented articles and old-school horticulturists omit is some important cultural information, that healthy plants are resistant to pests and diseases.  Plant immune function is closely related to soil health and plant nutrition.  Cultivate healthy soil and root health by improving soil organic matter content, mulch the soil surface with good quality compost, worm castings/vermicompost. Avoid bare ground and promote shading. The sun beating in on the soil surface is detrimental,  avoid tillage that oxidizes soil, and high NPK chemical fertilzers and pesticides that dessicate roots and harm the beneficial biology and are detrimental to plant health and natural resistance to pests and diseases.  See YouTube videos from Soil Food Web School, Regenerative Agriculture, Kiss The Ground, Advancing Eco Agriculture -  for more on the subject. 

From the photo, the tree appears to be a 'cook pine' Araucaria columnaris. 

The short answer is don't top it unless you have to. You will radically alter its natural tapered form and beauty. There are some big disadvantages aesthetic and structural for doing this.  And its probably unnecessary, the trunks and leaders are strong and supple and don't fracture or uproot easily in my experience. Exceptions due to structural defects, site conditons and extreme weather are always a possibility. 

The longer answer is yes, I have worked with many cook pines (and relatives in the genus, Norfolk Island pine, Bunya pine, monkey puzzle) that have been topped.

With a minimal crown reduction cut near the top (like one meter max on your pictured tree) to suppress apical dominance and vertical shoot growth,  and If they have adequate water and fertility, they usually do re-sprout within a month or two, with multiple new shoots in the area of the topping cut.  That results in a stubby, dense, bushy top which is kind of ugly. Without professional selective thinning and re-structuring in a year or two, the bushy growth will increase in volume and create more wind resistance and weight at the top in the long term, two to five years and more.  The new shoots have only superficial attachments on the outside growing layer at the topping cut and as they grow up, are prone to breaking off during a wind event, more so than the original undisturbed tapered top. 

TreesAreGood Consumer Brochur Why Topping Hurts Trees

C, call me I'll give you a tour. don