521 replies to this topic
Posted 2010-04-28 23:27:52
 Eric1949, on 2010-04-28 09:22:20, said:
I going to try to answer this along side each question you have asked.
Question about watering.
I water my young Papaya's daily. (the eldest is 6 months)
Pomergranate's almost daily.
Banana's every other day.
Young ones I would say yes... but from observing my Thai neighbours after they are established, you don't need to do so often... This applies to all the watering questions. Once roots are established they will pick up moisture from below... If you see plants "flagging/ wilting" that a tell tale sign of needing a good drink
I rarely water my established bananas or papayas, they seem to keep producing!
The things that I note are, surface roots growing.
Should I mound earth over these roots, or am I just watering too often? I think a case of water less often, but when you do, give a good soak.... If water runs off, work up the hard soil a little, so it goes down! it won't harm to top up the soil, providing you don't go up the stem on most plants
Chilli plants are in a bit of a limbo at present. Yes!, too hot I think! Some shade cloth may help. I notice the locals do that...or grow them in part shade...
What does not stop growing are those rose like bushes. (huh??? now what are they?)  I never water them, but have to trim them every couple of weeks. Some plants just send down good roots & become very drought tolerant, once they are established....
I have malaysian grass, which in some areas has been overtaken by a green, very small leaved weed, which spreads like wild fire, all interlinked.
Is it the prickly stuff, that closes it leaves when you touch it? If so, pull out by gloved hand or small troll ... prevent it from seeding... which means cut the grass more often or whack the flower heads off with a weed whacker! (same with all weeds, prevent them from seeding!)
Can I get the equivalent to 'weed & feed' in Thailand?
Not that I have seen, Fertilizer yes, but the only weed killer I know of here, is "Gly-Phosphate" (Same pronouncation in Thai) or Round Up. as called in North America... but it kills anything that is green... not useful for weeds about to seed, as it takes 10 days or so to work & the seeds will pop & the cycle starts again.... 
Hope that helps,
Jim
Posted 2010-04-28 23:44:52
Is there a similar thread for people in Pattaya?? is the climate really that different?
Posted 2010-04-29 07:49:48
Forkinhades, on 2010-04-28 23:44:52, said: Is there a similar thread for people in Pattaya?? is the climate really that different?
I don't think there is... but would rather keep questions limited to the southern islands... as although there may not be much of a difference... having not been there I am not sure, how different it is!
Many things when it comes to the garden are much the same, world wide.... One just has to adjust to local conditions & what does or does not do in that area. ..
I know northern Thailand is much different, in that it gets much cooler at night... which makes a difference on how some plants perform... they can grow many more temperate zone plants there, as well as the "tropicals"
I try to base my answers on what I have learned & observed here on the islands... So if you or anyone has general questions... go ahead, but please don't ask for specifics of local stuff if you are not from the islands... thks!
Jim
Posted 2010-04-29 08:01:11
samuijimmy, on 2010-04-28 23:27:52, said: Eric1949, on 2010-04-28 09:22:20, said:
I going to try to answer this along side each question you have asked.
Question about watering.
I water my young Papaya's daily. (the eldest is 6 months)
Pomergranate's almost daily.
Banana's every other day.
Young ones I would say yes... but from observing my Thai neighbours after they are established, you don't need to do so often... This applies to all the watering questions. Once roots are established they will pick up moisture from below... If you see plants "flagging/ wilting" that a tell tale sign of needing a good drink
I rarely water my established bananas or papayas, they seem to keep producing!
The things that I note are, surface roots growing.
Should I mound earth over these roots, or am I just watering too often? I think a case of water less often, but when you do, give a good soak.... If water runs off, work up the hard soil a little, so it goes down! it won't harm to top up the soil, providing you don't go up the stem on most plants
Chilli plants are in a bit of a limbo at present. Yes!, too hot I think! Some shade cloth may help. I notice the locals do that...or grow them in part shade...
What does not stop growing are those rose like bushes. (huh??? now what are they?) I never water them, but have to trim them every couple of weeks. Some plants just send down good roots & become very drought tolerant, once they are established....
I have malaysian grass, which in some areas has been overtaken by a green, very small leaved weed, which spreads like wild fire, all interlinked.
Is it the prickly stuff, that closes it leaves when you touch it? If so, pull out by gloved hand or small troll ... prevent it from seeding... which means cut the grass more often or whack the flower heads off with a weed whacker! (same with all weeds, prevent them from seeding!)
Can I get the equivalent to 'weed & feed' in Thailand?
Not that I have seen, Fertilizer yes, but the only weed killer I know of here, is "Gly-Phosphate" (Same pronouncation in Thai) or Round Up. as called in North America... but it kills anything that is green... not useful for weeds about to seed, as it takes 10 days or so to work & the seeds will pop & the cycle starts again....
Hope that helps,
Jim
Thanks Jim.
The rose like bushes come in many colours and the branches have very sharp thorns, but only become really sharp when driy. People train them into round ball shapes.
The lawn weeds...yes have those prickly ones too, but the other main weeds cover large patches with all the roots interlinked, like a mesh. It kills anything living in it. The leaves are very small, but tens of thousands of them.
Posted 2010-04-29 09:27:17
@ samuiijim
ok thanks and great thread.
My question is (to all)
I have just taken out the roots of 2 big trees, and it has has left quite a bit of dead wood, (I have taken out all the big pieces of root). So should I take out all the deadwood? also I was going to get around 30 bags of compost top soil (the area is 6m square), and maybe some coconut and maybe some cow poo. Just want some advice of the quantities. I want to plant some nice flowers there, and want to have maybe 2 feature plants, which I can light up in the evening? any ideas peeps?
Also would like to say that the flower pics are awesome!
Posted 2010-04-29 11:15:49
The rose like bushes come in many colours and the branches have very sharp thorns, but only become really sharp when dry. People train them into round ball shapes.
The lawn weeds...yes have those prickly ones too, but the other main weeds cover large patches with all the roots interlinked, like a mesh. It kills anything living in it. The leaves are very small, but tens of thousands of them.
[/quote]
As for the "Rose like" I think you are talking about Bougainvillea ... ? Easy to grow & very drought tolerant, once established.... they graft to make multicoloured plants....
See picture! Is that it?  comes in many colours....
[i ]As for your grass weeds, it's a tough one...sounds too far gone... as mentioned before you must prevent from seeding... and pull out the offending plants... yes very tedious! Or start again.... I hesitate to suggest weed killers, since so many shallow wells, in many areas.[/i]
That's where gardening is the same the world over.... keep on top of things before it gets on top of you!!!
Oh darn! the picture uploaded twice, it does not show up in preview! 
Edited by samuijimmy, 2010-04-29 11:19:08.
Posted 2010-04-29 11:51:24
Forkinhades, on 2010-04-29 09:27:17, said: @ samuiijim
ok thanks and great thread.
My question is (to all)
I have just taken out the roots of 2 big trees, and it has has left quite a bit of dead wood, (I have taken out all the big pieces of root). So should I take out all the deadwood? also I was going to get around 30 bags of compost top soil (the area is 6m square), and maybe some coconut and maybe some cow poo. Just want some advice of the quantities. I want to plant some nice flowers there, and want to have maybe 2 feature plants, which I can light up in the evening? any ideas peeps?
Also would like to say that the flower pics are awesome!   ....
Better to get out as much as rotting wood /roots as you can, it will eventually rot, & either cause a sink hole or you may end up with fairy rings / fungi.... But if you can smash into fairly small pieces, just work into the soil.... not too thick... it's going to add organic matter...
As for quantities, it depends on the soil you already have... but I would try to dig a hole at least twice as wide & twice as deep, & plant... if gravelly soil, then use more soil/ poo etc. If the soil is not too bad, then enough to get the plants going.
When planting plants from pots, be sure to slit the roots, or pull them apart a little, as otherwise roots will continue to grow in circles...
The first year is more critical to keeping roots moist, while they develop...
As for ideas, hard to say without knowing the situation... personally I like many of the Hibiscus... they grow fast ( as do many things here, if you water & fertilize).
Cuttings, I made last year, are now 10 feet tall...even after a few trimmings... The common red one is nice, but there are some double varieties... check your local garden shop....!
Posted 2010-04-29 12:03:27
great tip about the roots!,
Had them hibiscus before from a nursey, they got diseased with some bug, and infected the whole garden 
Will give them another go, I like your idea of cuttings, could you explain a little more of how do that, I have read all the posts, but am a little slow on this.
Also my grass seems to be two different types, what I call elephant grass, and the normal grass, so how do I get rid of the elephant and promote the normal grass?
Edited by Forkinhades, 2010-04-29 12:15:16.
Posted 2010-04-29 13:28:33
it's a good thing it cool & looks like rain today....
Forkinhades, on 2010-04-29 12:03:27, said: great tip about the roots!,
Had them hibiscus before from a nursery, they got diseased with some bug, and infected the whole garden
Must be a Pattyatta thing.... Just kidding!
Another thing to keep on top of is spraying, or cut off & burn as you see things start being attacked ... Mealy Bug, seems to be something I see a bit of on Hibiscus ... sometimes, again a case of being on top of things.... I hate spraying, but occasionally it is a necessary evil... although there are some "organic things" available BS 2 (Neem tree Oil)... for insects,. You'll need to see what your local garden centres have... & get a 2 litre sprayer.
Will give them another go, I like your idea of cuttings, could you explain a little more of how do that, I have read all the posts, but am a little slow on this.
Well not been at this that long, so not everything covered... & never will be!
The list is too long & complicated as to what plants will grow from sticking stems in the ground, I am still learning, but I have a 12 year old "Garden Genius", who knows all & lives next door.. ... (he really does) so I ask him, and get a yes or no about "making babies" as he calls it... really amazing kid...yes Thai, the exchange is his English is getting pretty good .
But, use the two year old wood , of say Hibiscus & cut into about 12 inch lengths & sit them in pots or the ground & keep them in shade & moisten the foliage a few times a day... although rainy season make it easier to do it
Some day when I have time, I'll try to add info, to my Picasa link... But don't hold your breath... 
Also my grass seems to be two different types, what I call elephant grass, and the normal grass, so how do I get rid of the elephant and promote the normal grass?
Oh my! Well I think we determined the Elephant grass is Malaysian Grass, a few posts back... but the wild native grass looks almost the same, but not as tidy, so it begs the question are you keeping the wild grasses from seeding ... ? If it is small area might be easier to dig over & start over????
OK sun's out... so am I!
Jim
Posted 2010-05-08 10:09:04
Hi
Does any one knw where I can buy a leaf blower for clearing about 2500 sq meters, mostly leaves and small twigs.
Any recommendations on brands , power and an estimation of price.
From web research looks like electric is not going to do it and gas is the way to go and something with some power at that.
Cheers
Nirvana
Posted 2010-05-08 10:20:33
I've got 2, all but hopeless.If it's a one off, why don't you get a couple of guys to rake it.
PS: You are quite welcome to try mine.
Posted 2010-05-08 22:05:22
Rooo, on 2010-05-08 10:20:33, said: I've got 2, all but hopeless.If it's a one off, why don't you get a couple of guys to rake it.
PS: You are quite welcome to try mine.
Been thinking of doing that myself...
Hand held blowers pretty hopeless as Rooo points out... I have never seen a back pack blower used in Thailand, that would work, better if you could find.. but would be very expensive... Some young lads would be cheaper!
Posted 2010-05-10 10:59:23
Rooo, on 2010-05-08 11:20:33, said: I've got 2, all but hopeless.If it's a one off, why don't you get a couple of guys to rake it.
PS: You are quite welcome to try mine.
Roo.
Pls
Can you move this to the gardening part of Samui forum as that was where i intended to post (error).
Thanks for offer, I may well take you up on that
Nirvana
Posted 2010-05-10 11:09:51
Rooo, on 2010-05-08 10:20:33, said: I've got 2, all but hopeless.If it's a one off, why don't you get a couple of guys to rake it.
PS: You are quite welcome to try mine.
This is the one you need Rooo
Posted 2010-05-10 12:33:06
An alternative might be to get a lawnmower (Home Pro or is it Home Mart? Beside Tesco Chawang ) & suck them in to the bag... & then you'll have nice mulch for the garden... used to do that all the time in the "west" ... You need a heavier duty mower.... with power wheels better... just make sure no rocks or glass bottles in the areas to do! could be a little dusty too, but then too a blower...
Been thinking of doing that myself...
Any idea of brands ? I have not seen that being done. The land is not that level and it has really ALOT of tree cover over half so this is no small job or one hit wonder.of course sticks and twigs falling. It is on going process this job..
Hand held blowers pretty hopeless as Rooo points out... I have never seen a back pack blower used in Thailand, that would work, better if you could find.. but would be very expensive... Some young lads would be cheaper!
What ones do you refer to Roo ? The cheap Chinese brands or ? The ones I have looked at on the web are STIHL / TORO / JAPANESE BRANDS and are gas powered 2 stroke and above. They look pretty decent, but I have not used them ever in practice.
From what I could make out they are around 10 K baht +.
Now you say labour might be cheaper but then you have the issues of having different people into your land all the time. Them not turning up or having to be watched for stealing and if i am watching i might as well be raking. etc etc
I really hate raking as its alot of leaf fall and none of my family likes it either so i just want to get it solved and put some fun into it as I am sure all would be fighting to have a go on the machine.
Am i being lazy = yes
thanks
Nirvana
Posted 2010-05-10 16:15:56
Nirvana, on 2010-05-10 12:33:06, said: Hi Nirvana
I try & go through this in different colours.
An alternative might be to get a lawnmower (Home Pro or is it Home Mart? Beside Tesco Chawang ) & suck them in to the bag... & then you'll have nice mulch for the garden... used to do that all the time in the "west" ... You need a heavier duty mower.... with power wheels better... just make sure no rocks or glass bottles in the areas to do! could be a little dusty too, but then too a blower...
Been thinking of doing that myself...
Any idea of brands ? I have not seen that being done. No it was one of my "tricks of the trade"... saved hours of work, most people thought I was crazy... (probably right....!!). But Honda would be the best bet.... They are not the heavy commercial duties ones you get in the west, perhaps you can get in BKK... but would be very expensive).
But as long as the outlet hole is not too small & stuff to suck up not too thick or large branches it should work.... Place a tarp or two to dump out the collected material as the basket will fill fast.... that's easier for emptying & then drag tarp to compost pile. You may need to go over twice... but in my experience lots easier than tedious raking...
! )
The land is not that level and it has really A LOT of tree cover over half so this is no small job or one hit wonder.of course sticks and twigs falling. Small twigs will be OK...... It is on going process this job.. You may find you need to get the blade sharpened after doing this, but that should be cheap, most Thai's I know would do it for a beer...
Hand held blowers pretty hopeless as Rooo points out... I have never seen a back pack blower used in Thailand, that would work, better if you could find.. but would be very expensive... Some young lads would be cheaper!
What ones do you refer to Roo ? The cheap Chinese brands or ? The ones I have looked at on the web are STIHL I have not seen Stihl in Thailand, but their hand helds are just good for small areas, been there, tried that...(in Canada)
I always found Stihl blowers had too much of a small blow hole, hard on the arm after a while.... even on the back pack one... The name of the brand I did use escapes me for the moment! (Heat stroke!) Get something that has at least one year warranty, if as with some machines, it is three months.... well ... you can figure out it's not much good.
/ TORO / JAPANESE BRANDS and are gas powered 2 stroke and above. They look pretty decent, but I have not used them ever in practice.
From what I could make out they are around 10 K baht +. I would guess that is about the price you might expect to pay here...
Now you say labour might be cheaper but then you have the issues of having different people into your land all the time. Them not turning up or having to be watched for stealing and if i am watching i might as well be raking. etc etc...
Well my experience is different, with dealing with my local Thai's, I trust the ones I get to help me, but they are my neighbours too & we get on really well... I help them they help me... works well! You need to build a trust with Thai's, they are not all bad or thieves either!!! Pay them & even add a bit more if they have done a good job, they will be back ... but it needs to be fairly regular work.... my experience anyway.... Also pay for the gasoline if they use there own equipment.
Actually you might be better using older guys, the more I think about that...
I really hate raking as its a lot of leaf fall and none of my family likes it either so i just want to get it solved and put some fun into it as I am sure all would be fighting to have a go on the machine.
Am i being lazy = yes ....... I'd call it being efficient.....
Wish some one would send some rain & cooler temps, it's unbearable lately!
If you or anyone, post more to this perhaps start a new thread, as it easier to go through with fewer questions... (in other words, different topics for different questions... )
Thanks.... Jim
thanks
Nirvana 
Posted 2010-05-10 17:18:19
I have not seen petrol operated ones on the island. I bought 2, a small one iI use with an extension pipe & a large German one, which blows or collects in a bag.These are more for pure domestic use & nothing large. Forget about sticks & the such.
I had a great electric one, but fool me sold it. Used to blow air @120kms an hour. Might pick one one up on my next trip.
Posted 2010-05-10 22:51:47
The brand of Blower I could not think of this afternoon is Echo But doubt they are available in Thailand, & I doubt many people unless professional gardeners would want to put out the "big bucks"! to buy one..... 30,000 or 40,000 baht would buy a lot of labour, here! (they come in back pack or hand held types) ....
Actually a heavy duty power washer works well too, especially for getting leaves & small stuff out of beds etc... ( I know that sounds a bit like gorilla gardening,  ) but it does work, you just have to avoid getting within a foot of flowers... trouble is I have never seen one of the big kind here either! I keep meaning to check out the Rental place in Nanthon to see if they have.
.... don't bother with the small electric ones.. it does not do it....
Posted 2010-05-30 21:21:21
Everyone seems to have "spaded" away, lately....
I'm sure the heat of the last while has exhausted everyone from doing much in the garden .... I know it has me, although I've been picking away at things bit by bit.
The little bit of rain last week was sure welcome, but the weeds have taken full advantage of that & have sprung up everywhere!
Time to get the hoe out & catch them before they all go to seed! If not, there be tons more to get very soon!
Please don't be afraid to keep questions coming....!
Or do some "show & tell" with pictures of your garden!
Posted 2010-05-31 21:37:59
I'm too ashamed to do a 'show and tell'.
I had to go back to the UK at short notice for 2 weeks and what I came back to was not a pretty sight.
Oh well, off to the garden centre again this week and try again.
Posted 2010-06-01 09:31:55
Oh dear!
Well as your avatar name suggests, you probably could not have been a way at a hotter time... it's not letting up this year!
But if some these plants are shrubs, rather than say annual type plants, you might find they will come back... with some TLC & water. Plants can be tougher than most people think.
You may need to cut them back (shrubby things) & give them a week or two & see what happens... before rushing out & buying more! I've been surprised sometimes, how things can spring back to life!... it can depend on how established the roots are..... (newer plantings may have less of a chance) ....
Next time perhaps get one of the neighbours to give things a watering... that's what I do...
Good luck.... try that... then post before & after pics!
Posted 2010-06-01 11:20:00
I want one or two of these. What type are they & where can I get them please.
Picture01_232.jpg 1000.76K
9 downloads
Posted 2010-06-01 22:52:02
Rooo.... It's a tree with yellow flowers! Actually very nice! There is a purple flowering tree around now that is nice too...
Flipping through my Thai plant book, my guess is "Golden Shower, Cassia fistula but don't ask me to write that in Thai!
I would check out the tree nursery, between Maenam & Ban Tai on the left hand side... Large sign set back off the road, saying either 180 or 280 trees.... their prices are reasonable on many of their trees... I've not been in for a few months so not sure if they have.... but might be worth checking... I think before what used to be the Esso Gas station... but that general area .... turn on little side road & go about 500 meters....
The large nurseries in Ban Tai & Maenam (Same Same, owners) may have too, but be prepared to dig deep into your pocket!
Posted 2010-06-05 22:11:10
Ratchaphruek is the name in Thai, Golden Shower Tree or Cassia fistula is correct. Its the national flower of Thailand in fact. A leguminous tree (it fixes nitrogen in the soil) but no idea where to buy it. Try stealing er borrowing seeds and growing them.
rachapruek (ราชพฤกษ์), also called dok khuen (ดอกแคน)
Posted 2010-06-12 14:23:25
Hi all....
Had a good look around the garden yesterday and was horrified to discover we are infested with White Mealy Bugs, of course all are under the leaves so not easily accessible in crowded garden so spraying will be a nightmare.
Anyone got any proven non-insecticide suggestions we may try? I have read we could introduce Ladybirds as a natural preditor but to be honest in the year we have lived on Samui I am not sure I have ever seen one here?
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