Chapter 6 Transplanting

With the complete clearing of the field,the field ought to line in preparation for transplanting.Recommended planting distance should be 25' x 25'. It could either be  rectangular or triangular,it does not matter really. 


Planting should be dug as soon as completion of lining.The size of planting holes should follow the size of the polybags of the planting materials.However I am of the opinion  of having larger planting holes for the young plants especially durians.

I have tried out holes as big as 10' x 10' and those holes proves to have vast advantages over small planting holes.Not only that I also had those holes  filled with top soils dug from around the planting holes.Thereafter planted the durain stump buddings in its center with a mixture of 6 ozs. of CIRP or Rock Phosphate.

All these were for better rooting and excellent water retention in the planting holes.It proved to be a sucess as I had fruits after three years of planting.Better believe it -  the extra costs involved was worth it.Well,that was in the past.

If you insist on small planting holes by all means suit yourself.If you are happy why not?I was fortunate as my Boss allowed me the freedom to practice what I preached.Planting should be done within the rainy season.The major rain fall should begin in October till the end of the year. The second round of rain fall should be in March and April of the year.

The plants should be firmly planted in the planting point..Please do not kick the plant as you plant.Respect them and they be pleased to return the favour,by bearing good fruits.The nursery people would suggest you water them every day but is that possible should employ workers to perform the job.My answer is a firm,"no or never".

Perhaps you do it yourself then it would be possible.Never rely on workers unless you are present there to supervise them.Placing a large bamboo basket over them protects them from the strong sun .The vegetable baskets also protect from the raging wind and heavy rain falls.The shade of the baskets should be able to keep the soil moist all the days round.

Raised the baskets from time to time depending on the height of the growing plants.The stickers  cut when clearing the field could be utilized.Such practice maybe slightly costly but it definitely pays With the baskets weeding around the plants were also lesser.
The first year of transplanting was most important. By then the bamboo baskets would have rotted within a year .Anyway they have served you well so good riddance.

Creating a beautiful orchard depended very much on planning.Should the land be adjacent to the jungle I would advice to plant fruit trees which the monkeys do not like.Fruits like pamaloes and oranges  are fruits I can suggest,Anyway there were no known reports of monkey damages on oranges or pamaloes.In any case these were also seasonal fruits.

Thereafter the rows of pamaoles and ranges plant your durians. The suggestion by nursery people on planting some accompanying plants to go along with "Mau San Wong" were utterly rubbish. To me these were sales gimmick.Pollination of durians depended on the tiny bats not otherwise.

Fruits like rambutans and pulasan should planted away from the jungle boundaries out of reach for the monkeys.Best rambutan clone today is the Thai clone called Anak Sekolah.So were mangoes.Chop Kam Nam were fast growing and should fruit within a year of planting.Tastes very very good.All these are fast fruiting plants, should fruit with a year of planting.

Should  a cottage or hut be built within the field - select a stategic position where government electrical supply available.If no supply around rely on generators for electrical supply.These are dam cheap nowadays.

Durian should not be planted around you hut.Coconuts will be a better choice.France coconuts are very good so were the MAWA/Phi crossed.What were better that after a hard days work and the refreshing nuts were within reached.


Jack fruit or Nangka and Chempadak could also be planted within the orchard but such fruit trees when bearing fruit should have all it fruit lets covered up to protect them fruit flies.The young fruits of these fruits can be cooked into curry - very good curry I assure you.. 


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