Project Rubber Trees.

Started on this project back in July, 2010. Very excited to be moving to a new phase in our project. Was running around arranging for this 'shift' for the last couple of months.

Experimenting for a faster & easier way to tap rubber.

Just last week, we went to Rubber Board (Lembah Getah) to check out the requirement and procedure to deliver rubber to them. Present regulation, 5 X 2 feet X 1/2 inch thick is the acceptable measurement to be considered for rubber sheet. Fully dried, clean sheet to be considered for grade 1, any others maybe considered as grade 2 and or scraps. Daily prices are announce each morning (working days).

Made arrangement to start off the tapping.

It had been a very challenging experience to have reached this stage of our  project and I must register my deep gratitude to all our Ex / Present Partners & Helpers, whom had brought us to this stage. Holding on to an unwavering faith, trust and belief in me. I've learned so many new things from this project. Thank you to the ONE above, whom had been always blessing and helping me.

Started to tap.

Our new stage shall be on managing and fine tuning, on soil, trees, production, logistic and controls. We shall need to optimize all of these, which are within our control.

Soil erosion caused tree to topple over.

Revenue = Rubber Price X Production level.
Production level is within our control, hence by increasing this variable, revenue increases.

Angle of the initial tap was too steep. Should had bought the bigger sized cup.

 We shall need to improve our make shift  molding facility. Also had spoken with our tapper on the new measurement (thickness). We need to find out how thick to mold so that with it dries off to be 1/2 inches thick.

Dirt are dropping in. Got to keep it clean.

Our 1st Rubber Sheet.

Rubber Scraps.

Rubber Tapping Knife.

Some of the tapping knives in our procession.

We started off our tapping by requesting help from a helper, which in turns tries to teach another helper. Our intention at that moment is to  access how many trees at Parcel 1 can be tapped. With lots of trees qualifying for tapping, we decided to engage a full time tapper.

Knives with different shapes, width, length, weight & etc.

We had be receiving feedback that the tapping knife is not suitable. We in turn had purchase 7 knives, still feedback was unsatisfactory. Sat down with our full time tapper and understand more on the tapping knife. There are many factors affecting the cut.

At this moment, as ours are new trees, we need a more acute angle blade. Since it's a raining day, went tapping knives shopping. Tried a couple of shops, couldn't find what we wanted. Finally found a seller operating from a stall. Spoke with him and was told that can be custom made. He has 1 custom for new tree, the person who ordered had not come to collect. Just nice, bought it and shall pass it to our tapper next week.

Avocado, Field Grafting.

Tried grafting Avocado trees in the field. I only managed to bud graft successfully. These trial was on above 2 years old tree planted from seeds.

Approximately 2 year old Avocado tree from seed.

 My purpose of field grafting is to convert these trees from seed to grafted trees, so that it can fruit earlier. Did some cleft, splice, whip, side and bud grafting.

I select branch that are good and non water shoot.

I initially prefer non bud grafting as it's growth rate are slow.

Most of the grafting failed. Was lucky on the bud graft. The main advantage of bud graft over the others is lesser prone to damage.

Avocado grafts damaged by me while inspection.

Some of these are damaged by clumsy me.

The initial Avocado bud graft.

Did more bud grafts as it seems that these looks promising.

Subsequent Avocado Bud graft. I simplified it.

Decided to have about 5 (promising) grafts per tree. If 2 were to take, then that should be good to go.

Initially used sealant as thinking that it's field work and exposure to the weather.

I simplified the bud grafting by grafting slightly off top most position.

I then grafted on a about 5 years non fruiting tree.

Advantage of grafting off center top, are water run off and lesser exposure to direct sun light.

Vertical branch are good too.

Seems that the older tree is responding faster. Started to remove the top.

Avocado bud responding.

Avocado tree before topping off.

Decided to top off the trees so as to concentrate on the new buds. Top off the grafted Avocado trees.

Avocado tree after topping off.

Just arrived BioJadi.

Shall check on them regularly and start applying fertilization as soon as it starts growing. Maybe I shall try the recently received BioJadi fertilizer on them.

Buds are growing.

Bud had took.

#Avocado field bud grafting.

In the meantime, I shall find opportunity to try cleft / side / splice grafting on field as I think these should response & grow faster.