Gardening On The Islands

[careless]

I was hoping to buy some plants for presents for some locals. How can one find out what is allowed to be brought into the country? I have brought home seeds in sealed packages before

[samuijimmy]

<br>Do we have a Tomato expert here.<br>

I have brought some seeds (Grosse Lisse) with me from oz and looking for advice. Time to sow, soil etc.,<br>any help would be appreciated.<br>Thanks.<br>

<br><br><br>

Read back a few posts, Mr Joe 84330 is giving it a go.... we are waiting for update!....

<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""

src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif"><br><br>

I've found it is a waste of time trying, here....cooler nights needed I think..... or perhaps higher up in areas in the middle of the island????

<br><br>

Although on my travels around the island I have never seen! <br>

Edited September 23, 2011 by samuijimmy

[samuijimmy]

<br>

<br>Testing here! To see if I get a picture loaded....<br><br>Portulaca, easy to grow! Great in pots or as an edging plant in the ground... <br><br>Blooms only in the morning, then they close in the afternoon... <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><b>Ah Finally got it! Duh!   <img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""> Except seem to have double up on one! </b><br>

<br><br>Those pics are great jimmy..................think i need some lessons.<br>

<br><br>

Try not to take pictures of flowers in full sun!!!! overcast skies or morning light is best time........ <br><br>The biggest problem (well more tedious!)  is down sizing pictures before uploading to the forum.... if that was easier, I would have a lot more pictures here...only so many hours in the day that I can spend on the computer! <img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif"><br><br><br>

Foot note here: I having problem with Code showing up in the post (s)... sorry about that... not sure why that is happening.... recently....grrr!

[samuijimmy]

I was hoping to buy some plants for presents for some locals. How can one find out what is allowed to be brought into the country? I have brought home seeds in sealed packages before

Well, I have no idea of the procedure,

But would suggest not bringing something that could potentially be a problem.... that would be very careless!...

[samuijimmy]

Here you go & I always thought it was a coleus.

They look vary similar.

Hmmm...... well, I thinks Rooo needs to take Flower Gardening ID 101 course!

Just for info: Caladiums are toxic ..... all parts of the plant & bulb........ don't add to your salad!

As are Poinsettias (now being sold in garden shops.... too bad they don't seem to survive here..... )..... I guess Christmas is coming?

I am surprised that Poinsettias don't grow here. This is a similiar climate to coastal Queensland, and there they become like a weed if one is not careful.

You see the odd mature one around, must be "perfect location".... a bit like roses, occasionally you come across really nice specimens.......

The few times I have tried Poinsettias,, they fizzle out after a few months, perhaps cooler on Queensland coast at night.... I think generally that would be the problem here, as with a few of our favorite things~ ! .... Norhterrn Thailand would be better for some of these plants

[oldsailor35]

I put 3 of my tomato seeds in a potting mix 6 days ago and am now the proud father of 3 gorgeous little shoots about 5 mm high !

gosh ! i am such a happy dad lololol

[Rooo]

I put 3 of my tomato seeds in a potting mix 6 days ago and am now the proud father of 3 gorgeous little shoots about 5 mm high !

gosh ! i am such a happy dad lololol

Photos of the kids please.

[oldsailor35]

What are those large gourd like things that hang down from a vine, they are light coloured and look like large Marrows . There are some growing near my bungalow in Maenam.

[oldsailor35]

I put 3 of my tomato seeds in a potting mix 6 days ago and am now the proud father of 3 gorgeous little shoots about 5 mm high !

gosh ! i am such a happy dad lololol

Photos of the kids please.

Sorry, not very smart with putting pics on, but will ask a friend ! If all goes well i will keep it up till (god willing) i get fruit.

[samuijimmy]

I put 3 of my tomato seeds in a potting mix 6 days ago and am now the proud father of 3 gorgeous little shoots about 5 mm high !

gosh ! i am such a happy dad lololol

Photos of the kids please.

Sorry, not very smart with putting pics on, but will ask a friend ! If all goes well i will keep it up till (god willing) i get fruit.

We are still waiting on Mr Joe84330 to post his Tom pics! My Tom plants have never reached much more than a foot high (30cm) before they became organic matter to dig in the soil! .... Never a tomato... hope you have more luck than me!

As for your neighbours, Marrow looking plants, could be marrow, or squash, the Thai's seem to call them Pumpkins... I saw some really weird looking types in Tesco the other day... (easier to buy ready grown!)

A few posts back I mentioned that a store on KP may have Tomato Cages,(the "Garage in Tongsala) They no longer carry! ... perhaps cos no one has luck with tomato plants!

There seems to be a veggie planting frenzy going on with all the Thai neighbours right now... Corn, and all kinds of leafy type veggies... This cooler weather should help... plus the bit of rain, we're getting....

I just dug a patch to sow some Dill, Basil, and a leafy plant that taste like horse radish, I am not sure what that is, but would give a good zing to a salad!

[oldsailor35]

Hi all, here is some info regarding growing Tomatoes which i have just found in the Brisbane Courier Mail gardening section.........

Two plant nutrients must be present in the soil or potting mix if Tomato plants are to produce flowers followed by quality fruit. They are Phosphorus and Potassium. The Phosphorous is essential for flower initiation while the Potassium ensures good quality fruit. As both of these nutrients are more readily in a soil with a pH of as close to 6.8 as possible. It is a good idea to apply some Dolomite to soil about 4 weeks before planting. This application of Dolomite will help minimise the risk of the physiological disease know as blossom end rot which can be common in tomatoes. This disease manifests as a blackening of the base of the fruit and eventually the fruit cracks and rots. Transplant your seedlings when they are about 150mm tall. Regularly dust your plants with a good tomato dust. Prefer a dust that contains Spinosad, Copper and Sulphur. Because Tomatoes need Potassium,fortnightly drinks of a soluble fertiliser that contains a relatively high level of this nutrient. Where there are no frosts, Tomatoes should be a year round crop.

Good luck.

[samuijimmy]

Hi all, here is some info regarding growing Tomatoes which i have just found in the Brisbane Courier Mail gardening section.........

Two plant nutrients must be present in the soil or potting mix if Tomato plants are to produce flowers followed by quality fruit. They are Phosphorus and Potassium. The Phosphorous is essential for flower initiation while the Potassium ensures good quality fruit. As both of these nutrients are more readily in a soil with a pH of as close to 6.8 as possible. It is a good idea to apply some Dolomite to soil about 4 weeks before planting. This application of Dolomite will help minimise the risk of the physiological disease know as blossom end rot which can be common in tomatoes. This disease manifests as a blackening of the base of the fruit and eventually the fruit cracks and rots. Transplant your seedlings when they are about 150mm tall. Regularly dust your plants with a good tomato dust. Prefer a dust that contains Spinosad, Copper and Sulphur. Because Tomatoes need Potassium,fortnightly drinks of a soluble fertiliser that contains a relatively high level of this nutrient. Where there are no frosts, Tomatoes should be a year round crop.

Good luck.

Well, Old sailor, that information would be relevant anywhere the climate was suited to growing tomatoes... not just Queensland!

I still say it is too warm at night here... it is not the same!

The fertilizer formulations would be pretty much the same for any flowering fruiting plants....

I think if tomato growing was possible and reliable you'd see the locals growing them, I have never seen that...

Trying to find Dolomite lime would be as hard as finding Epson Salts, possible if ordered from BKK, as with Epson salts..

We'll await to hear of your results!

With the rainy season coming, I suspect it might be a good idea to protect the plants from rain with a plastic tent or under over hang of house and also avoid them having "wet feet"... well drained soil or in pots in good light and do not let them dry out, or they will deform and split too....

Good luck!

[samuijimmy]

The question of soils came up on the main board recently, by Lycheeicecream...

(PM sent)

In short:

Plants on the whole seem to do quite well, even in rocky and gravelly situations... There seems to me enough clay like soil between the rock/gravel for a lot of things to survive...

In my garden, I have quite a large area of silty clay like soil, which is very easy to dig, when moist, along with some of the gravelly soil as well...not so easy to dig!

Generally speaking in rockier or gravelly "soil" one needs to supplement each plant hole with some purchased soil or perhaps fine coconut fibre, and mix that with some of the existing soil when planting... You will have to judge for yourself how much, this will depend on the size of plant etc... more being better...

The key to success is keeping roots of the plants watered well for at least the first year... after that most plants will have roots well in to the soil....

Look to see what your neighbours are growing and see what is doing well!

If you see foliage flagging, (wilted drooping leaves) then give them a dose of water....

Some fertilizer is going to help too, perhaps three or four times a year....

There, is a Bulk soil dealer on the Ghost Road in Chawang.... (previously mentioned if you dig back through the posts here)...

With the rainy season about to begin, now would be a good time to plant... and saves the initial daily watering...

It helps to know your ground conditions during the rainy season, as some plants may not tolerate sitting in water for weeks on end...

As nice as it might look, top dressing native soil with coconut fibre or "good soil" is a waste of time... it will all wash away! Better to dig any new good soil into existing soil....

Hope that helps!

Edited October 8, 2011 by samuijimmy

[oldsailor35]

Hi all, here is some info regarding growing Tomatoes which i have just found in the Brisbane Courier Mail gardening section.........

Two plant nutrients must be present in the soil or potting mix if Tomato plants are to produce flowers followed by quality fruit. They are Phosphorus and Potassium. The Phosphorous is essential for flower initiation while the Potassium ensures good quality fruit. As both of these nutrients are more readily in a soil with a pH of as close to 6.8 as possible. It is a good idea to apply some Dolomite to soil about 4 weeks before planting. This application of Dolomite will help minimise the risk of the physiological disease know as blossom end rot which can be common in tomatoes. This disease manifests as a blackening of the base of the fruit and eventually the fruit cracks and rots. Transplant your seedlings when they are about 150mm tall. Regularly dust your plants with a good tomato dust. Prefer a dust that contains Spinosad, Copper and Sulphur. Because Tomatoes need Potassium,fortnightly drinks of a soluble fertiliser that contains a relatively high level of this nutrient. Where there are no frosts, Tomatoes should be a year round crop.

Good luck.

Well, Old sailor, that information would be relevant anywhere the climate was suited to growing tomatoes... not just Queensland!

I still say it is too warm at night here... it is not the same!

The fertilizer formulations would be pretty much the same for any flowering fruiting plants....

I think if tomato growing was possible and reliable you'd see the locals growing them, I have never seen that...

Trying to find Dolomite lime would be as hard as finding Epson Salts, possible if ordered from BKK, as with Epson salts..

We'll await to hear of your results!

With the rainy season coming, I suspect it might be a good idea to protect the plants from rain with a plastic tent or under over hang of house and also avoid them having "wet feet"... well drained soil or in pots in good light and do not let them dry out, or they will deform and split too....

Good luck!

Hi Jimmy, i dont really think the night temp really matters as Tomato's are a very big commercial crop in the Bowen region of North Qld and believe me, it is just as hot there as here at night. In fact at certian times probably hotter.

[samuijimmy]

Hi all, here is some info regarding growing Tomatoes which i have just found in the Brisbane Courier Mail gardening section.........

Two plant nutrients must be present in the soil or potting mix if Tomato plants are to produce flowers followed by quality fruit. They are Phosphorus and Potassium. The Phosphorous is essential for flower initiation while the Potassium ensures good quality fruit. As both of these nutrients are more readily in a soil with a pH of as close to 6.8 as possible. It is a good idea to apply some Dolomite to soil about 4 weeks before planting. This application of Dolomite will help minimise the risk of the physiological disease know as blossom end rot which can be common in tomatoes. This disease manifests as a blackening of the base of the fruit and eventually the fruit cracks and rots. Transplant your seedlings when they are about 150mm tall. Regularly dust your plants with a good tomato dust. Prefer a dust that contains Spinosad, Copper and Sulphur. Because Tomatoes need Potassium,fortnightly drinks of a soluble fertiliser that contains a relatively high level of this nutrient. Where there are no frosts, Tomatoes should be a year round crop.

Good luck.

Well, Old sailor, that information would be relevant anywhere the climate was suited to growing tomatoes... not just Queensland!

I still say it is too warm at night here... it is not the same!

The fertilizer formulations would be pretty much the same for any flowering fruiting plants....

I think if tomato growing was possible and reliable you'd see the locals growing them, I have never seen that...

Trying to find Dolomite lime would be as hard as finding Epson Salts, possible if ordered from BKK, as with Epson salts..

We'll await to hear of your results!

With the rainy season coming, I suspect it might be a good idea to protect the plants from rain with a plastic tent or under over hang of house and also avoid them having "wet feet"... well drained soil or in pots in good light and do not let them dry out, or they will deform and split too....

Good luck!

Hi Jimmy, i dont really think the night temp really matters as Tomato's are a very big commercial crop in the Bowen region of North Qld and believe me, it is just as hot there as here at night. In fact at certian times probably hotter.

Hi Old Sailor!!....

The day I see a ripened tomato grown here on the islands, I'll eat my hat!!!

I've tried both here on Samui and KP... And the fact still remains, I've still not seen a tomato plant, with fruit on it! So when you or Joe produce fruit, or any one else for that matter.....I'll come and take pictures! and post here!

Now, the other day I did see three volunteer plants growing at one of my neighbours, about 12 inches high.....they had obviously seeded them selves... as growing amongst something else....

I asked why people did not grow tomatoes, The answer I was given was that they (Thai's) did not like the smell of the plant... I thought that was a bit of a stretch for a reason...

[oldsailor35]

Hi all, here is some info regarding growing Tomatoes which i have just found in the Brisbane Courier Mail gardening section.........

Two plant nutrients must be present in the soil or potting mix if Tomato plants are to produce flowers followed by quality fruit. They are Phosphorus and Potassium. The Phosphorous is essential for flower initiation while the Potassium ensures good quality fruit. As both of these nutrients are more readily in a soil with a pH of as close to 6.8 as possible. It is a good idea to apply some Dolomite to soil about 4 weeks before planting. This application of Dolomite will help minimise the risk of the physiological disease know as blossom end rot which can be common in tomatoes. This disease manifests as a blackening of the base of the fruit and eventually the fruit cracks and rots. Transplant your seedlings when they are about 150mm tall. Regularly dust your plants with a good tomato dust. Prefer a dust that contains Spinosad, Copper and Sulphur. Because Tomatoes need Potassium,fortnightly drinks of a soluble fertiliser that contains a relatively high level of this nutrient. Where there are no frosts, Tomatoes should be a year round crop.

Good luck.

Well, Old sailor, that information would be relevant anywhere the climate was suited to growing tomatoes... not just Queensland!

I still say it is too warm at night here... it is not the same!

The fertilizer formulations would be pretty much the same for any flowering fruiting plants....

I think if tomato growing was possible and reliable you'd see the locals growing them, I have never seen that...

Trying to find Dolomite lime would be as hard as finding Epson Salts, possible if ordered from BKK, as with Epson salts..

We'll await to hear of your results!

With the rainy season coming, I suspect it might be a good idea to protect the plants from rain with a plastic tent or under over hang of house and also avoid them having "wet feet"... well drained soil or in pots in good light and do not let them dry out, or they will deform and split too....

Good luck!

Hi Jimmy, i dont really think the night temp really matters as Tomato's are a very big commercial crop in the Bowen region of North Qld and believe me, it is just as hot there as here at night. In fact at certian times probably hotter.

Hi Old Sailor!!....

The day I see a ripened tomato grown here on the islands, I'll eat my hat!!!

I've tried both here on Samui and KP... And the fact still remains, I've still not seen a tomato plant, with fruit on it! So when you or Joe produce fruit, or any one else for that matter.....I'll come and take pictures! and post here!

Now, the other day I did see three volunteer plants growing at one of my neighbours, about 12 inches high.....they had obviously seeded them selves... as growing amongst something else....

I asked why people did not grow tomatoes, The answer I was given was that they (Thai's) did not like the smell of the plant... I thought that was a bit of a stretch for a reason...

OK Jimmy, just hang on to yer hat..........lolololo

[samuijimmy]

OK Jimmy, just hang on to yer hat..........lolololo

Bets now being taken to see if I have to eat my hat !!!!!

[Rooo]

Bets now being taken to see if I have to eat my hat !!!!!

I'll get in on that bet, but no hat eating , BEER.

[itishothere]

Bets now being taken to see if I have to eat my hat !!!!!

I'll get in on that bet, but no hat eating , BEER.

The guy is awash with chocolate.

[joe84330]

you know, i wouldn't even eat a tomato if you paid me. a hat on the other hand, we can talk.

[samuijimmy]

you know, i wouldn't even eat a tomato if you paid me. a hat on the other hand, we can talk.

They are not red yet ... but coming along! .....Hmmm... Seems like Rooo has offered to buy the beer, to save my hat.... we'll see....

Hope the leaf minor does not finish off the plants before that happens...

And the chocolate will be savoured over the next several months!

Edited October 12, 2011 by samuijimmy

[joe84330]

you know, i wouldn't even eat a tomato if you paid me. a hat on the other hand, we can talk.

They are not red yet ... but coming along! .....Hmmm... Seems like Rooo has offered to buy the beer, to save my hat.... we'll see....

Hope the leaf minor does not finish off the plants before that happens...

And the chocolate will be savoured over the next several months!

they have to be red now? just a few posts up you said you'd never seen a tomato set fruit here. ok ok give them a few more weeks. we've had red tomatoes before and we'll have them again. the leaf miners don't have much of an appetite so they don't concern me too much. the orange beetles and the aphids on the other hand, do. i've got cantaloupes, watermelons, halloween pumpkins, cucumbers, and who knows what else fruiting all over my yard now as well. thanks to the birds in my yard i've got things growing in places i didn't want or expect them to grow but can't say i'm too concerned about it now. at least they're productive.

[joe84330]

some of my tomatoes, black krim in particular, are different shades of purple btw and never red.

of any edible fruit i've grown, tomatoes have the lowest success rate in this particular location. we've eaten beans and peas, sweet corn, tomato, onion, garlic, at least 6 different varieties of chili peppers incl. jalapeno, watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkin, cucumbers and i'm sure i'm missing something else, all from this yard. ah, coconuts, papaya, and bell peppers, mints, basil, thai spinach, celery. might try some potatoes in sacks under the house next who knows!

[samuijimmy]

you know, i wouldn't even eat a tomato if you paid me. a hat on the other hand, we can talk.

They are not red yet ... but coming along! .....Hmmm... Seems like Rooo has offered to buy the beer, to save my hat.... we'll see....

Hope the leaf minor does not finish off the plants before that happens...

And the chocolate will be savoured over the next several months!

they have to be red now? just a few posts up you said you'd never seen a tomato set fruit here. ok ok give them a few more weeks. we've had red tomatoes before and we'll have them again. the leaf miners don't have much of an appetite so they don't concern me too much. the orange beetles and the aphids on the other hand, do. i've got cantaloupes, watermelons, halloween pumpkins, cucumbers, and who knows what else fruiting all over my yard now as well. thanks to the birds in my yard i've got things growing in places i didn't want or expect them to grow but can't say i'm too concerned about it now. at least they're productive.

Hey!!!! ....remember this is Thailand, "goal posts" change all the time, don't they? !

We would not want green tomato chutney at the next TV party, now would we? and besides Rooo's going to have to cough up for the beer!

Anyone seen edible hats around? .. just in case...he backs out....

[Rooo]

I do not want to eat a hat. The bet is a beer. I was relying on you Joe.

[joe84330]

I do not want to eat a hat. The bet is a beer. I was relying on you Joe.

hey now, i don't remember being involved in any gardening or headwear related bets recently. you guys are on your own on this one.

[Rooo]

I do not want to eat a hat. The bet is a beer. I was relying on you Joe.

hey now, i don't remember being involved in any gardening or headwear related bets recently. you guys are on your own on this one.

No mate, I have to find that post about you & tomatoes. You are my yard stick against all these non believers.

[samuijimmy]

I do not want to eat a hat. The bet is a beer. I was relying on you Joe.

hey now, i don't remember being involved in any gardening or headwear related bets recently. you guys are on your own on this one.

No mate, I have to find that post about you & tomatoes. You are my yard stick against all these non believers.

Opps misread your post Rooo.... ha ha! I am surprised the other Garden Guru, has stayed clear of this... Where is SBK anyway?

[oldsailor35]

you know, i wouldn't even eat a tomato if you paid me. a hat on the other hand, we can talk.

Well done Joe, but if were to have pinched out all those "Lateral shoots" you would get bigger and better fruit !

[oldsailor35]

you know, i wouldn't even eat a tomato if you paid me. a hat on the other hand, we can talk.

They are not red yet ... but coming along! .....Hmmm... Seems like Rooo has offered to buy the beer, to save my hat.... we'll see....

Hope the leaf minor does not finish off the plants before that happens...

And the chocolate will be savoured over the next several months!

they have to be red now? just a few posts up you said you'd never seen a tomato set fruit here. ok ok give them a few more weeks. we've had red tomatoes before and we'll have them again. the leaf miners don't have much of an appetite so they don't concern me too much. the orange beetles and the aphids on the other hand, do. i've got cantaloupes, watermelons, halloween pumpkins, cucumbers, and who knows what else fruiting all over my yard now as well. thanks to the birds in my yard i've got things growing in places i didn't want or expect them to grow but can't say i'm too concerned about it now. at least they're productive.

Just keep up the tomato dusting Joe, then we can all go to the piss up at Jimmy's