Progress Of Avocado & Jackfruit February 2014.

February, being the shortest month, leave much to be done. I had only about 16 days in our farm for this month. The weather is also bringing heavy rain with super hot afternoon and very cold nights, which disrupted our schedule.

Bagged all the previously germinated seeds from December / January.

Prepared Avocado seedling and transfer all of them into poly bags. Managed to collect more quality seeds. Preparing to germinate them to create more rootstock.

Managed to collect these seeds when I was about to give up. The scions are for grafting the 10 plants.

 Organize the grafted Avocados. Shutting down my ICU as shall be away for a month. Shifting back all my patients to the nursery for logistic reason. Shall have to make more drainage holes on the bags.

"Amulance" awaiting.

These grafts had 'taken' but the scions are dying from the top.

Snipped off the died parts and re-seal with wax.

Didn't do a good job, a small edge was not sealed properly, causing the scion to dry further. It's a goner.

Thank you, at least I got 1.

Was thinking there may be other methods of cloning. Considering air layering and cuttings. As the fruiting trees is large, I feel that it's rather difficult to do air layering. Also my previous experience wasn't good. Fear of heights and falling (ladder on soft ground) is also another factor. Only found a handful of article on propagation Avocado through cuttings. Successful rate are pretty low, but I think may be worthwhile to try. As at the moment after grafting 10 plants, I don't have anymore graft-able rootstock. Shall try to slot in after all my schedule, if not then on April.

Harvested a Jackfruit from our mother tree of J31, estimated to be about 10 ~ 12 kg. Feed back is that the fruit doesn't taste good. Fibrous, not crunchy and not sweet enough. Even though am using it to practice, am deciding to stop cloning it. Have about 50 trees of J31 and J29.

The 4 J33 Tekam Yellow is still too young to contribute scion. So far only managed to clone 2. I feel the scion is too young and do not process the reserve to 'take'. Shall let them grow for the time being and access them again in April. The surviving CJ3 and  J35 Mastura (made a mistake of labeling this as J37) is struggling but after patience care I think they shall survive.

CJ3 and Mastura, shall be transferring back to the nursery.

Manage to graft some Jackfruit using scions from a neighbor's tree.

Grafted Artocarpus.

On the Mango, there was this plant that refuse to bud even though it had 'took'. Gave it a bend to force it to bud. Yes, it bud 3 days later.

Force a bend, to force a bud.

Bud begin to grow 3 days later. New leafs has appeared by now.

Another 7 days latter.

Mango, scions were taken from our plantation, We have 2 fruiting trees, 1 Apple Mango and a Philippine Mango, Manila Super Sweet.

Manila Super Sweet, size of this unripe fruit is about 7 ~ 8 inches. 

Sent in 50 Soursop, 13 Mango, 9 Avocado and 12 non grafted Jackfruit from CML and 18 grafted Jackfruit for field planting.

On Transit, awaiting field planting.

Managed to organize the nursery before I go. My prized procession, Jackfruit.

Artocarpus Cultivar CJ3, Mastura & Tekam Yellow.

I had left the best spot in the nursery for the Pomegranate, and S. Avocados. This spot has 70% shaded morning sun and 90% shaded afternoon sun.

Pomegranate, #Avocado Anna, Betty & Cat.

 Prepared some seedling of Soursop.

Soursop Seedlings.

Rootstock for Mango & Jackfruit.

 More seeds to germinate #Avocado.

Avocado rootstock, waiting for it to grow to graft-able size.

It's a pretty exhaustive trip, as after the long Chinese New Year holodays, I came back and started on a relax pace. As my leaving date draw nearer, I need to do more to complete my nursery. Did all I could for this trip and thank you for the progress made. Leaving for home in the morning, then off to vacation in Turkey with my lovely wife.

Propagating Avocado Cuttings.

Saw in the internet that a couple of guys did propagating Avocado via cuttings. All mentioned that the successful rate is very low. After much consideration, I think it could work. As whatever I get is a bonus as I have scions, but no more graft-able rootstock.

Was very excited over this. I initially planned to put this on trial in April after my vacation. I just couldn't contain my excitement and put it on trial.

Left over scions.

I used the left over scions, after grafting a10 avocados. The cuttings are about 6 inches in length. Sealed up the top with wax, made  2 cuts at the bottom. Apply rooting hormone. Stick them on a loosen patch and watered them.

Since I was at it, I collected more cuttings from our plantation. I prune the 2nd flowering tree as it is too dense. I manage to seed just a few fruits about to set. I avoided those branches..

I also tried out Tree Wound dressing. This is a tar based dressing. Good for working on large or plenty wounds / cuts. I feel wax still has it's use, like sealing the graft tapes ( as I'm reusing them). Limitation of wax is strong wind, it dries fast, heat too high for young scions & etc.

Nufarm Tree Dressing.

Instruction for use.

After pruning.

Collected about a gunny sack. Cut them up, slightly longer this time, 6 ~ 8 inches. Seal top with Nufarm tree dressing. Tried from no cut to various cut on the bottom. Apply rooting hormone and stick them into the patch. The patch is under a 70 % shade netting. Water regularly to eep moist.

Done. Avocado cuttings.

On leave for a month. Shall see how they can withstand when I'm back.

More Varieties Of Jackfruit Artocapus.

While searching for more varieties of Jackfruit, I came across the EVIARC Sweet. They claim to be the sweetest Jackfruit. Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center (RIARC) in Abuyog had developed a variety EVIARC Sweet. It has a fruit size of approximately 12 Kg, golden yellow, taste and aroma far more superior than all the rest, with a sugar content of 25.14 brix, the international measurement of sweetness based on total soluble solids. This is extremely sweet compare to the sweetest of the normal sweet Jackfruits of between 16 ~ 19 brix. Now, how to get my hands on this for trial here. May need to travel to the Philippines again.

Reproduced from the website of Department Of Agriculture, The Philippines.

Closer to the home front, managed to sort out 2 trees that has great fruits characteristic. This friend use to sell out all his jackfruit every time. He has about 6 trees and were planted on a ridge one side to the hill and the other side a drop to the small river. He claims that the biggest fruit that he had was a whopping 50 kg. Pay him a visit and check out his trees. The location is very good for the trees. Nutrients from the hill, water from the river. The only problem is that humidity is rather high. The tree that has the sweetest / largest fruit show signs of branch breaking due to the weight of the fruits. Another tree has the most fruits but not as sweet. Requested some scion from these 2 trees. Had them grafted. In order to show my gratitude, I promised him a graft of each in return. He wants to sent it back to his village. I had had bought his fruit before, golden yellow, sweet and crunchy. Still this shall be an interim period, until the Tekam Yellow can produce quality scions.

Tree A, still couldn't manage to identify the variety yet. Tree A according to my neighbor bears the most fruits, reasonable large size. The rest of the trees no longer fruit. The leafs are wavy, fan like, no tip.

Tree P, according to my neighbor bears the biggest & sweetes fruits, reasonable large size. Biggest that he got was 50 kg. The leafs are wavy, oblong, with tip.

1 fruit awaiting to ripe. Top branch broke due to over weight.

The seeds that I germinated from CML Trading Honey jeckfruit. Am planting these without grafting, have 11 of them that has elongated leafs, wavy with tip. There are no baby leafs like a normal Jackfruit.

11 of them with elongated leafs. Have about 3 more that I left in the Nursery as they have very slow growth.

 

Only a couple (3) has the normal baby leafs

Appreciate help on identifying these Jackfruits, Thank you.

Short Break In Thailand Amidst Protest.

Went on a short break in Thailand. We flew on the 29th January morning amidst reports of shooting and bombing in Bangkok. We decide to to go as the airport is still open. Out of safety reason, we decided to re-route to Pattaya.

Had breakfast at the airport after we landed, then look up a taxi to take us direct to Pattaya. It's about 2 hours' drive. We by passed Bangkok. We were all exhausted and napped in the car as it was a very early flight. The taxi dropped us off at Premier Signature.

http://www.signaturepattaya.com/eng/

The hotel is great, spacious room with Wifi & pool. We skipped the breakfast as there are plenty to eat in Thailand. Signature is located at the end of the street, South of Pattaya, away from the noises. Tut tut stop right in front of the hotel. It's only 20 Bath per ride per person.

 The room were spacious, with a large bathroom that comes with separate shower and large size bathtub. I personally like the rain shower.

Pattaya is fun. Food, shopping, massage and chill out.

Ripley's Belive It Or Not. There is a balloon ride that takes you up & up.

McD is very nicely decorated in Thailand. It house a McAfee too. It's unlike our monotonous McD in Malaysia.

Even the loos are creatively labeled with is a norm in Thailand.

Temple visit Pattaya Royal Monastry.

http://www.letsrelaxspa.com/

Time to relax. We actually wanted to go to The Relax, but the driver to us to Let's Relax which is also good. We went there twice. Both times I fell asleep, and was told by my wife that I snored too, which was so embarrassing for her. Let's relax is a chain spa, with location in many parts of Thailand. Must make it a point to try the Four Hands Thai Massage on the next trip. Wonder how I'll feel?

http://www.labaguettepattaya.com/

There is a French bakery further up the road. It was pack when we arrived, but as we relaxed for a long time, most of the quest had left by then. They served lots of wonderful food. Ice cream, crepes, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, chocolate etc... All of my favorites. I guess I can eat there for a week.

The deco is marvelous. In-doors and out-doors, both were extremely inviting. We sat out-door. Great view of the busy Street and a cooling tree.

No fun is complete without patronizing the Tiffany's. Managed to get tickets at a discounted price from agents. 700 baths for the ticket priced at 1,200 bath.

We "ran" Fuji Restaurant after Tiffany's. It immediately brought back great memories on our trip to Koh Samui. Sushi for supper.

http://www.fuji.co.th/2009/TH/home/index.php

They have more than 94 branches through out Thailand.
Left for Bangkok in the morning. Had some difficulties arranging for transfer to Bangkok City. We had booking into In Residence, Bagkok Suhkumit. It is located near Nana BTS station. The upper and lower part which is the protest zone. Finally manage to find a transfer on the understanding that should there be a 'lock down' we shall be transferred to the nearest train station. Checked out at noon. The driver checked the situation along the way and finally was told the road is clear.

http://www.inresidencebangkok.com/

 As the occupancy rate was low, we were given an upgrade to a larger suite. Location is also great, within walking distant to the train station. There is also a free shuttle to the station. There is plenty to do in this area, shopping, eating and chilling out. Prices were cheap too, must be due to the 'lock down ' effect. We still see lots of tourist, especially relaxing at the bistros, pubs and bars. Some are practically full.
 Our main iternary for this trip is for Thanks Giving at the Erawan Shrine. It is actually a Hindu shrine, with a statue of Phra Phrom (4 faced Brahma), the Thai representation of the Hindu creation god Brahma. It is located at the intersection of Ratchadammri Road, border of the Ahsok 'lock down'. Access to this area is easy with the sky train Chitlom Station.

Erawan Shrine

 We engaged the Thai Dance Troupe to perform a thanks giving dance. There was a huge crowd, even with the protest on. Lots of tourist too.

The protest was done in an orderly manner. I wish Malaysia can do the same.

Protest Zone.

There are also shopping inside the protest zone. Protest in the center, lined by temporary make shift stalls at both sides.

The Coconut Protest. Let's join in the fun and just protest about the coconut.

There were so much fun at that area, but I think shoppers are lesser. Even super heroes joined in the fun.

Let's Party.

Apologies.

Went back to Nana area at night. Had to leave tomorrow morning (2nd Feb.), things were toned down that night in preparation for the election tomorrow. Even the night spot is alcohol free, but patrons are still hanging around. As usual, we'll definitely be back. I love Thailand.