Gardening On The Islands

[samuijimmy]

Hi green hand felas

Does anyone knows where I can find sour sop seeds or tree's on Samui or even in Thailand, preferably samui...

Thx

I think trying to find in a shop here on Samui selling seed, will be difficult!

Probably best to find a fruit and take out the seed, and try to germinate ... Most of these seeds seem to be fairly easy to start depending on how much of a green hand you have~! Let the seed dry out first!

There is a discussion on the farming forum http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/615317-soursop-fruit/

You might want to read that it will give you the Thai name ( or a couple of variations... )

If all else fails in finding seed, do a Google search, lots of places over seas selling seed at high prices!

This below, may help ... perhaps copy and try a few of the nurseries and see if they have started plants!

(I am guessing one of the words says Soursoup the other Thailand! ... but not sure which!

Soursop Thailand/ทุเรียนเทศ ประเทศไทย

Let us know how you make out... if I find out more I will post!

There is a new "Botanical garden" supposed to be open somewhere in Bohput area, that I am wanting to go see, they may have info... perhaps will head there next week and see what is there!

[GuyF]

Thx foor the info Jimmy.

I'll keep in touch, I've planted lemon tree 's a few weeks ago they're growing quiet nice, just need some patience now till it starts making fruits

As for the small oranges as well I have 2 of them, there the fruits are getting bigger

When i'll be back home in march I think I will have a look as well at that new garden, sounds good.

[samuijimmy]

Grass hoppers.... have been chewing on a number of my shrubs lately, making holes leaves .... So if anyone else is wondering why they have holes this is probably the culprit!

For an organic "cure", you can blend up 1/2 cup of hot peppers, with one cup of cooking oil strain (finest mesh cloth and add then add two cups of hot water. Let sit over night. Then spray plants affected either early in morning or an hour or two before sunset.... Try and spray the under side of foliage as much a possible. Repeat in 7 days or so... if they are still around!

Use extreme caution as pepper spray is not good in the eyes ! (Do not spray if windy or even breezy!)

Gardens are starting to need a bit of rain! .... If you have newly planted plants, make sure to keep them watered more until the roots have time to establish! (water deep rather than just sprinkle!) If ground is dry, water once and then repeat .... especially on new plantings!

[oldsailor35]

To all those who say that it is impossible to grow tomatoes on Samui, i have just discovered that my neighbours wife has got 4 , albeit scraggly looking plants in her garden which she has grown from one solitary tomatoe. She has had quite a few fruit off them. The egg shaped variety. She lives in Soi Maenam Resort, Maenam.

Good for her, no one said it was impossible to grow tomatoes on Samui... they just don't produce a decent sized fruit to be worth while bothering with.... Seen many shaggy looking ones trying to grow... just not worth the effort!

That's why the locals here or in the south of Thailand don't bother trying ....

Head north of BKK and they do much better... Check out the Farming forum

Well Jimmy, its now end of march2014, and i have to tell you. This neighbour has grown a very healthy looking plant of the Grosse Lisse variety, i gave her some seeds, the plant has been growing for a couple of months now , is about 3 ft tall and has quite a lot of very good and large fruit, some are ripening and today i tried one, it was really delicious. So this disproves your theory that Tomatoes cannot be successfully grown on the island.

[samuijimmy]

To all those who say that it is impossible to grow tomatoes on Samui, i have just discovered that my neighbours wife has got 4 , albeit scraggly looking plants in her garden which she has grown from one solitary tomatoe. She has had quite a few fruit off them. The egg shaped variety. She lives in Soi Maenam Resort, Maenam.

Good for her, no one said it was impossible to grow tomatoes on Samui... they just don't produce a decent sized fruit to be worth while bothering with.... Seen many shaggy looking ones trying to grow... just not worth the effort!

That's why the locals here or in the south of Thailand don't bother trying ....

Head north of BKK and they do much better... Check out the Farming forum

Well Jimmy, its now end of march2014, and i have to tell you. This neighbour has grown a very healthy looking plant of the Grosse Lisse variety, i gave her some seeds, the plant has been growing for a couple of months now , is about 3 ft tall and has quite a lot of very good and large fruit, some are ripening and today i tried one, it was really delicious. So this disproves your theory that Tomatoes cannot be successfully grown on the island.

Good to hear! ..... a long time in coming though... But my hat has gone, now ... .... Most crops here don't take much more than a month to six weeks, from seed to harvest. Squash, beans and stuff like that a bit longer.

The local hydroponic guy up on Soi 4, Maenam, is experimenting with some toms too, I saw them yesterday, in flower.... so will see what fruiting results he gets... he's not sure if it will be a worth while commercially viable crop or not... He is also experimenting with Asparagus and strawberries too... (These are plants not usually grown in the southern regions) .

He's also got some nice Rosemary, mint and Oregano plants that seem to be doing OK for a couple of years now ...

My Italian Basil, which usually does well is really struggling to get going, this year.... I have a second set in, but they are struggling... usually has been a easy crop, that lasts until October at least, but I know someone way up Soi 5 who is still picking from last years plants... I just nick some every time I go up there!

[samuijimmy]

To all those who say that it is impossible to grow tomatoes on Samui, i have just discovered that my neighbours wife has got 4 , albeit scraggly looking plants in her garden which she has grown from one solitary tomatoe. She has had quite a few fruit off them. The egg shaped variety. She lives in Soi Maenam Resort, Maenam.

Good for her, no one said it was impossible to grow tomatoes on Samui... they just don't produce a decent sized fruit to be worth while bothering with.... Seen many shaggy looking ones trying to grow... just not worth the effort!

That's why the locals here or in the south of Thailand don't bother trying ....

Head north of BKK and they do much better... Check out the Farming forum

Well Jimmy, its now end of march2014, and i have to tell you. This neighbour has grown a very healthy looking plant of the Grosse Lisse variety, i gave her some seeds, the plant has been growing for a couple of months now , is about 3 ft tall and has quite a lot of very good and large fruit, some are ripening and today i tried one, it was really delicious. So this disproves your theory that Tomatoes cannot be successfully grown on the island.

Good to hear! ..... a long time in coming though... But my hat has gone, now ... .... Most crops here don't take much more than a month to six weeks, from seed to harvest. Squash, beans and stuff like that a bit longer.

The local hydroponic guy up on Soi 4, Maenam, is experimenting with some toms too, I saw them yesterday, in flower.... so will see what fruiting results he gets... he's not sure if it will be a worth while commercially viable crop or not... He is also experimenting with Asparagus and strawberries too... (These are plants not usually grown in the southern regions) .

He's also got some nice Rosemary, mint and Oregano plants that seem to be doing OK for a couple of years now ...

My Italian Basil, which usually does well is really struggling to get going, this year.... I have a second set in, but they are struggling... usually has been a easy crop, that lasts until October at least, but I know someone way up Soi 5 who is still picking from last years plants... I just nick some every time I go up there!

Well I would have eaten my hat today, but forgot to take it with me! I think only the second time I have been wrong....

Here are some Samui grown tomatoes.... less than 100 metres from my house as it turned out .... Yes they look pretty good, thanks Old Sailor35 or your neighbour! Nice to know I have another keen gardener in the neighbourhood!

The soil not much better than mine, pretty sandy, but she had added a lot of organic soil /matter to the planting bed... and has a bit more shade than I do!

Grosse Lisse variety

Two plants in good production

---------------

I also dropped by to get a photo of the Hydroponic Tomato experiment... plants are about one month old, and producing flowers, this will be interesting to see how soon they fruit up and how they look and taste!

I had Humble pie for dinner tonight!

[oldsailor35]

Tried to find the Hydroponic farmer in Soi 4 today Jimmie, but had no luck !

[samuijimmy]

Tried to find the Hydroponic farmer in Soi 4 today Jimmie, but had no luck !

Oh he's well hidden away, as they all are..... there are five or six around the island... .(except the one between Bophut and Chawang). Most just wholesale, so don't want people wandering in! ... so no signs!

[oldsailor35]

Hi Jimmy, i found the hydro plant we were looking for, it was derelict for a couple of years, but now someone is working it again similiar to the one on Soi 4.

D.

[oldsailor35]

You would'nt believe this Jimmy, but the lady who grew those lovely tomato plants from seeds i gave her, has ripped them up ! As you saw and photographed, there were many young fruit coming along. When i questioned her about it . She said "fruit no good, too green" how bloody stupid, that is how Toms work , as they ripen off, more come along,................grrrrrrrr some thais make me wonder if they have any brains at all.

[samuijimmy]

You would'nt believe this Jimmy, but the lady who grew those lovely tomato plants from seeds i gave her, has ripped them up ! As you saw and photographed, there were many young fruit coming along. When i questioned her about it . She said "fruit no good, too green" how bloody stupid, that is how Toms work , as they ripen off, more come along,................grrrrrrrr some thais make me wonder if they have any brains at all.

oh no!

Well, we'll need to work on her... that's really too bad....

I saw them yesterday when I walked past.... the one I had was very good... I guess why the southern Thai's don't usually bother... not fast enough, (?) I really don't know! Let's hope the trail going on at the hydroponic farm works out...

[oldsailor35]

You would'nt believe this Jimmy, but the lady who grew those lovely tomato plants from seeds i gave her, has ripped them up ! As you saw and photographed, there were many young fruit coming along. When i questioned her about it . She said "fruit no good, too green" how bloody stupid, that is how Toms work , as they ripen off, more come along,................grrrrrrrr some thais make me wonder if they have any brains at all.

oh no!

Well, we'll need to work on her... that's really too bad....

I saw them yesterday when I walked past.... the one I had was very good... I guess why the southern Thai's don't usually bother... not fast enough, (?) I really don't know! Let's hope the trail going on at the hydroponic farm works out...

Yes Jimmy, i gave her two packets of my seeds just before i went back to oz in jan. Asked her for a few seeds recently to take to the Hydro farm, but she had given them away !!!

Anyhow, my mate is sending me a few packets of seeds from Queensland, so i will give some to the Hydro farm on soi 4. when they arrive.

[Virt]

Not shot on Samui, but in Bangkok at Wat Pho, but maybe someone here on these boards know what kind of plant this is and if it is possible to grow it in colder climates?

Looked like some sort of insect eating plant.

Would love to have one in my window

[samuijimmy]

Not shot on Samui, but in Bangkok at Wat Pho, but maybe someone here on these boards know what kind of plant this is and if it is possible to grow it in colder climates?

Looked like some sort of insect eating plant.

Would love to have one in my window

P1020637.JPG

P1020639.JPG

I know the flower but cannot think of the name off hand, but knowing where you live .... probably not, without a heated green house at least in winter.....

Save money on heating bills, and just come here!

Some plants you see here are used as "house plant", in the cold white north, but I doubt you find this one!

[Virt]

I know the flower but cannot think of the name off hand, but knowing where you live .... probably not, without a heated green house at least in winter.....

Save money on heating bills, and just come here!

Some plants you see here are used as "house plant", in the cold white north, but I doubt you find this one!

Yeah thought it might be to cold or dark here during the winter even if kept inside.

Warm enough inside but not much daylight and the Chocolate Habanero chilliplants i grow in my window usually drop their leaves in October,November here.

Ohh well, just have to enjoy the tropic plants when i'm in Thailand.

2 ½ month to go and we are back on Samui

[samuijimmy]

I know the flower but cannot think of the name off hand, but knowing where you live .... probably not, without a heated green house at least in winter.....

Save money on heating bills, and just come here!

Some plants you see here are used as "house plant", in the cold white north, but I doubt you find this one!

Yeah thought it might be to cold or dark here during the winter even if kept inside.

Warm enough inside but not much daylight and the Chocolate Habanero chilliplants i grow in my window usually drop their leaves in October,November here.

Ohh well, just have to enjoy the tropic plants when i'm in Thailand.

2 ½ month to go and we are back on Samui

Hi Virt,

I was just looking at your images again, the foliage looks like Dracena.... but it's a plant that I have never seen flower.... and that what through me off....(although flower does look familiar! )

Can you remember whether there where two plants growing together?

Even looking at this link with many types of Dracena, I don't see any with flowers!

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=dracena+marginata&client=firefox-a&hs=BNu&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=7A5VU9rTC9Hm8AW9o4DICA&ved=0CD0Q7Ak&biw=2048&bih=1018

If it is the Dracena, you want, it would be used as a house plant in northern climates.... Check your local tropical house plant nurseries, I would think they would hab!

[Virt]

Hi Jimmy

Looked through pictures and only got the closeup shots but i'm pretty sure it was two seperate plants.

Will ask gf if she has some shots of the plant from distance.

Tried to seach for it on the web but can't find that particular plant.

Ohh and btw.

Saw a program the other day on discovery i think, called the truth about taste, involving tomatoes, where a guy called Harry Klee tried to breed a tomato that was both tasteful, sweet and easy to grow.

They have a breed ready and a trying to find companies that will continue the work, so they can sell the seeds.

Maybe that would be a nice tomato for you to grow on Samui if they start selling the seeds.?

A bit about this guy.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-01-17/news/os-uf-tasty-tomatoes-florida-20140117_1_harry-klee-tomatoes-uf-expert

Here is the video if interested. The tomato thing starts somewhat late but interesting program anyway.

[samuijimmy]

Now most of the islands seemed to had a reasonable amount of rain (sorry to those in Chong Mon, Samui, that seem to be bypassed! )

But expect and prepare yourselves, for a sudden burst of growth on plants and weeds.... .... out the hoe, and the shears or pruners .... it's amazing how things grow much faster after rain...

If things need fertilizing, now would be a good time to apply!

[oldsailor35]

Visiting an aquaculture set up in Maenam with Samuijimmy, we spotted a couple of rows of new young Grape Vines, but were sceptical as to whether they would produce fruit in this climate !

Well, yesterday i visited a very efficient but small nursery in Maenam and he had half a dozen healthy looking Grape Vines there all with fruit on them, told me that they would grow and ripen as he has sold some before. So maybe there is someone out there looking for some.

[oldsailor35]

Over a month now and Samuijimmy still has not eaten his hat

[samuijimmy]

Over a month now and Samuijimmy still has not eaten his hat

Oh you missed that....?

Lets move on!

I was up at the Temple above Lamai this morning, they have all kinds of interesting things growing up there.... veggie type things... and flowers you don't see much of in the lower areas...

Strawberries plants.... that need a bit of weeding!

some kind of vine with a fruit, I had never seen before...

Angels Trumpet.

A few nice clumps of Amaryllis ...

Some one up there obviously has a bit of a green thumb !

Good views up there too, but not easy for most people to do, the roads getting there from Maenam Soi 5 or from Soi One... or Lamai town are pretty rough....

Jungle Safari trucks make it one of their stop offs!

[samuijimmy]

Yes, all this "new" stuff is going to be interesting to see...

The place we visited off Soi 4 Maenam is trying out all kinds of stuff, when he opens as an Agricultural Tourism Centre... I will make sure to post... He's building a "coffee shop" at the moment!

He'll also have sheep! I think they are coming from OZ land!... baaaaa! ....

The Grapes not in there permanent position yet... Not sure if eating grapes or wine grapes... time will tell!

Perhaps this should have gone in the gardening section....?

[samuijimmy]

The garden shop that has these, is almost opposite Dan Auto, in Maenam (that general area) ....(had to go ask OS35 ) just in case anyone wants to try....

Growing grapes and their pruning is a bit tedious to learn, for novices.... but there are some that might want to try it....

[robsamui]

Thanks for this Jim. Very nice lady in there - most friendly.

R

[oldsailor35]

Yes, all this "new" stuff is going to be interesting to see...

The place we visited off Soi 4 Maenam is trying out all kinds of stuff, when he opens as an Agricultural Tourism Centre... I will make sure to post... He's building a "coffee shop" at the moment!

He'll also have sheep! I think they are coming from OZ land!... baaaaa! ....

The Grapes not in there permanent position yet... Not sure if eating grapes or wine grapes... time will tell!

Perhaps this should have gone in the gardening section....?

Sheep coming from OZ ! well at least they will be virgins seeing as they will not be from New Zealand !

[oldsailor35]

Over a month now and Samuijimmy still has not eaten his hat

Oh you missed that....?

Lets move on!

I was up at the Temple above Lamai this morning, they have all kinds of interesting things growing up there.... veggie type things... and flowers you don't see much of in the lower areas...

Strawberries plants.... that need a bit of weeding!

some kind of vine with a fruit, I had never seen before...

Angels Trumpet.

A few nice clumps of Amaryllis ...

Some one up there obviously has a bit of a green thumb !

Good views up there too, but not easy for most people to do, the roads getting there from Maenam Soi 5 or from Soi One... or Lamai town are pretty rough....

Jungle Safari trucks make it one of their stop offs!

Looks like you might have a Passion Fruit vine in there Jimmy, i would have to have a close up look to be sure.

[oldsailor35]

Over a month now and Samuijimmy still has not eaten his hat

Oh you missed that....?

Lets move on!

I was up at the Temple above Lamai this morning, they have all kinds of interesting things growing up there.... veggie type things... and flowers you don't see much of in the lower areas...

Strawberries plants.... that need a bit of weeding!

some kind of vine with a fruit, I had never seen before...

Angels Trumpet.

A few nice clumps of Amaryllis ...

Some one up there obviously has a bit of a green thumb !

Good views up there too, but not easy for most people to do, the roads getting there from Maenam Soi 5 or from Soi One... or Lamai town are pretty rough....

Jungle Safari trucks make it one of their stop offs!

Oleander, some attractive trumpets, but poisonous. ( A mediterranean plant)

[samuijimmy]

Over a month now and Samuijimmy still has not eaten his hat

Oh you missed that....?

Lets move on!

I was up at the Temple above Lamai this morning, they have all kinds of interesting things growing up there.... veggie type things... and flowers you don't see much of in the lower areas...

Strawberries plants.... that need a bit of weeding!

some kind of vine with a fruit, I had never seen before...

Angels Trumpet.

A few nice clumps of Amaryllis ...

Some one up there obviously has a bit of a green thumb !

Good views up there too, but not easy for most people to do, the roads getting there from Maenam Soi 5 or from Soi One... or Lamai town are pretty rough....

Jungle Safari trucks make it one of their stop offs!

Oleander, some attractive trumpets, but poisonous. ( A mediterranean plant)

senior moment there Oldsailor ????

It's

( quote here from Wiki leaks!)

"Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit.["

One see's a lot more in the north, or at higher elevations...(Cooler) .... Yes poisonous!

This is Oleander.... Comes in Pink red or white.... also poisonous sap! (used a lot on Hwy boulevards of California. )

[oldsailor35]

Hi Jimmy

Looked through pictures and only got the closeup shots but i'm pretty sure it was two seperate plants.

Will ask gf if she has some shots of the plant from distance.

Tried to seach for it on the web but can't find that particular plant.

Ohh and btw.

Saw a program the other day on discovery i think, called the truth about taste, involving tomatoes, where a guy called Harry Klee tried to breed a tomato that was both tasteful, sweet and easy to grow.

They have a breed ready and a trying to find companies that will continue the work, so they can sell the seeds.

Maybe that would be a nice tomato for you to grow on Samui if they start selling the seeds.?

A bit about this guy.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-01-17/news/os-uf-tasty-tomatoes-florida-20140117_1_harry-klee-tomatoes-uf-expert

Here is the video if interested. The tomato thing starts somewhat late but interesting program anyway.

Had a look at this rather long video. If anyone is only interested in the Tomato component, my advice is, after about the first 5 mins., fast forward to about 40 mins.

[oldsailor35]

Over a month now and Samuijimmy still has not eaten his hat

Oh you missed that....?

Lets move on!

I was up at the Temple above Lamai this morning, they have all kinds of interesting things growing up there.... veggie type things... and flowers you don't see much of in the lower areas...

Strawberries plants.... that need a bit of weeding!

some kind of vine with a fruit, I had never seen before...

Angels Trumpet.

A few nice clumps of Amaryllis ...

Some one up there obviously has a bit of a green thumb !

Good views up there too, but not easy for most people to do, the roads getting there from Maenam Soi 5 or from Soi One... or Lamai town are pretty rough....

Jungle Safari trucks make it one of their stop offs!

Oleander, some attractive trumpets, but poisonous. ( A mediterranean plant)

senior moment there Oldsailor ????

It's

( quote here from Wiki leaks!)

"Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit.["

One see's a lot more in the north, or at higher elevations...(Cooler) .... Yes poisonous!

This is Oleander.... Comes in Pink red or white.... also poisonous sap! (used a lot on Hwy boulevards of California. )

Yes , for sure! lolol must have been that weed killer that you sprayed around my compost box today. Sorry !