It’s hard to believe, but all the rain we are having is only a drop in the drought bucket. Though we have had flooding conditions off and on for several weeks now, ongoing drought is still a Kona reality. With
It’s hard to believe, but all the rain we are having is only a drop in the drought bucket. Though we have had flooding conditions off and on for several weeks now, ongoing drought is still a Kona reality. With climates around the world changing and conditions planet-wide seeming to get hotter and dryer, we may not want to forget — even if our catchment tanks are full today — we may experience another very dry winter shortly.
Even during times when water seems plentiful, practicing conservation of this valuable resource is strongly encouraged. Although agriculture uses a huge percentage of our fresh water supply, maintaining overly thirsty plants in our gardens and landscapes is certainly a big water consumer as well. Both landscaping and agriculture can lower their water consumption through conscientious efforts to do so.
Many new ways to conserve water have resulted from university and industry research, as well as practical experience. The latest water conservation techniques and tips will be covered in presentations at the upcoming Landscape Management Conference on Oct. 24 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. The theme of this sixth annual HILA conference is “Waiola — Water of Life: Preserving our most precious resource.” Sponsored by the Hawaii Island Landscape Association and the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, two tracks of educational sessions will be offered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the conference. A trade show with local suppliers and nurseries exhibiting their latest products and services will be in place throughout the conference as well.
The conference is offered to members of HILA who register before Wednesday for $100. Student admission is $85 and other landscaping or farming associations and the public are invited to attend for the early registration fee of $120. The fee includes a buffet lunch as well as the individual presentations and the trade show.
For more information about the conference, contact Ty McDonald at tym@hawaii.edu or call 322-4884. A conference brochure and registration forms are available online at https://hilahawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LMC2015bifold1.pdf and payment can be sent to Gina B. at the Kona Cooperative Extension Service office, 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua HI 06750.
Even though your landscape is flooded and your work boots are caked in mud, drier times will come and being prepared with ways to decrease your water usage, while saving money and conserving our precious water will help you through those times. This conference is an excellent opportunity to advance your knowledge and understanding of water conservation techniques for Kona.
Tropical gardening helpline
Andy asks: My orange tree has lots of small developing fruits. The skin on quite a few of them is kind of scabby or has black stains running down it. What is causing this and will it affect the fruit formation or maturation?
Answer: It sounds like the oranges on your tree might have citrus melanose disease. This is a fungal disease that can affect young leaves and fruits when they expand during extended periods of rainy or humid weather. We have been experiencing the ideal conditions for this disease in recent months.
Although the disease does affect the skin of the fruit, it does not usually affect the interior pulp so unless you want to sell your fruit to buyers who are concerned about its appearance, you may not need to worry about the symptom you describe.
Rain or overhead irrigation water spreads the spores of this disease to other susceptible tissues in the citrus canopy. The more dead wood that exists in a canopy, the more spores will be produced. Removing dead wood regularly can help control this fungus by eliminating the source and increasing air circulation in the canopy.
Fruits are susceptible to infection from about three to six months after flowering and at least eight hours of continuous moisture on the fruit is required for infection to occur. Periods with warm temperatures and extended rainfall are likely to initiate melanose disease development.
Where the disease is severe, fungicide applications may help. Copper fungicides are the most commonly used against melanose. Copper-based fungicidal sprays in the late spring and early summer can also be used as a preventive measure. Be sure to follow the directions on the label exactly.
For more information on citrus melanose go to https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/PD-59.pdf for the UH publication on the disease by Scot Nelson.
Other citrus fruit problems in warm, wet Hawaii include citrus scab and broad mite injury. Symptoms and treatment as well as photos of these diseases can also be found online.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by certified master gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.
Gardening events
Thursday: Workplace Safety Workshop is held from 8 a.m. to noon at Kailua Park Complex (Old Kona Airport Park) big events pavilion, 75-5500 Kuakini Highway. Sponsored by Big Island Safety Association, the $25 fee includes refreshments and lunch. For more information or to register, contact Stafford Oyama, (808) 937-9744 or stafford.oyama@gmail.com
Farmers markets
Wednesday: Hooulu Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Wednesday: Sunset Farmers Market, 2 p.m. to sunset at the north makai corner of the Kmart parking lot
Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
Sunday: South Kona Green Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook
Monday to Saturday: U-Pick greens and produce, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tropical Edibles Nursery in Captain Cook
Plant advice lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Thursday: 9 a.m. to noon at UH Cooperative Extension Service in Kainaliu, 322-4892.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo, 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu.
