Hawaii is unique in its horticultural blend of plants and landscapes. Although we live in the tropics, gardening is heavily influenced by the ways of Europe and the Americas. This plus Asian, Polynesian and African agricultural influences have made landscaping and gardening fun, but a bit complicated.
Hawaii is unique in its horticultural blend of plants and landscapes. Although we live in the tropics, gardening is heavily influenced by the ways of Europe and the Americas. This plus Asian, Polynesian and African agricultural influences have made landscaping and gardening fun, but a bit complicated.
Fortunately, the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has been active in the development of the Master Gardener Program in Hawaii County. If you decide to be a certified Master Gardener you will have 45 hours of classroom and hands on horticultural training plus on going continuing education. Course topics include basic botany, native plants, nutrition, insect and disease management, propagation, pruning and much more. Once you finish the course, you will become a local expert to assist others to be better gardeners.
To learn more about the program in West Hawaii, contact Ty McDonald, UH Extension Agent at 322-4884 or by email to tym@hawaii.edu.
Another opportunity to learn more about tropical gardening, especially palms is a free program sponsored by the Hawaii Island Palm Society. Bill Baker of the Royal Botanic at Kew, U.K., will be speaking at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the UH-Hilo Campus in room UCB No. 100. Baker will be giving an illustrated presentation on his recent travels to the jungles of New Guinea. The program will feature rare palms but also include experiences with birds, butterflies, monkeys, amphibians and reptiles found in the lush tropical forests. Over the past 20 years, he has discovered 40 new species of palms including several new genera. Questions about this event can be emailed to Mary Lock, society president at marylock@sbcglobal.net. More information is also available at www.hawaiiislandpalmsociety.com. The society is offering a free rare palm to folks who attend the event and join the International Palm Society. By supporting the palm society, members are supporting efforts to protect tropical palms and ecosystems that are being threatened throughout the world.
If the palm meeting isn’t enough, you can get acquainted with Tropical Vireya Rhododendron enthusiasts at the Hawaii Chapter of the Rhododendron Society at its monthly meeting at noon Nov. 19 at the Keaau Community Center. It is a potluck so bring your favorite dish. Rene Siracusa with give a hands-on program on flower arranging. Free plants will be given to folks who become new members. There will also be a silent auction featuring rare species for your garden. Call Sherla Bertelmann at 960-9225 for more information.
Learning more about the fantastic variety of plants that make up the island world around us can enrich our lives and keep our minds young and active.
