Pleased to Present: Kratom plants. Mitragyna speciosa

Good times!  Here at UC we continue to roll out new products.  Todays new addition is Kratom.  Starting with 4" pots ( although we are bound to have 1 gallon plants too in the near future), These plants are super healthy, very well rooted and completely pest free.  Offered at $36/each plus shipping. 

Have a look:

Grow your own fresh air.

This very astute looking gentleman suggests my $11.99 Sansevieria as a bedroom plant:

http://www.wimp.com/freshair/

Hard to argue.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's some of my favorite pics from the last few months.. Top and Bottom are from Kapiolani Community College, and the middle one is the Lilikoi ripening on the vine, in the back yard.

Opuntia ficus-india with fruit

So I'm sitting on a ton of these Ountia ficus-india.  This large cactus grows quickly, with almost no care required.  The Pitaya, or cacti fruits which it produces abundantly, ripen to a deep red color.  The jelly like insides are a tart treat with a crunchy seed surprise. 



Mystery Nut from Kaimuki High School

Someone, someday will see this picture and leave a comment that will enlighten me.  What is the tree that this came from?

Hawaiian Ti, Cordyline

This picture was great.  I think it is Cordyline terminalis var. Hawaiian Compacta.   Or what might be referred to as a dwarf, purple Ti.  A compact yet vigorous variety, with leaves that are tightly compacted together like a plume. Leaves short to 4" to 2" wide, color dark pink to burgundy purple. Great Ti for areas that don't need lots of room. 

I think this is a great choice for adding a year round punch of color to any outdoor space, and the fabulous inflorescence in November gives you something special.   Easy to propogate from cuttings.

Announcing Gotu Kola and Bacopa

I am pleased to announce a new partnership with other local (Hawaiian) growers has culminated in my ability to offer some new live plants.  Gotu Kola or Centella asiatica  It is used as a medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine, traditional African medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine.  I just like the nutty flavor, and it is a an outstanding addition to any salad.  Live specimens shipped bare root for $5/each plus shipping.



From this same grower I am offering Bacopa monnieri another beautiful ground cover plant with purported health benefits.  This fast growing and easily propagated plant produces small white flowers.  Also offered for $5 each plus shipping, and shipped bare root.



Opuntia microdasys, Polka Dot cactus

Took this photo at Kapiolani Comunity College this morning.  I like to tour the cactus garden there after shopping at the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. 

Rainy Season

So the rainy season is here.  We usually get a lot of sprinkles or short rains here in Honolulu, but Autumn marks the beginning of the rainy season.  And it has started.  I've moved most of the cactus under the eaves so I can better control the moisture.  Lost a couple Opuntia cuttings to too much water. 

Most of the island is beginning its winter transformation where rains seem to paint shades of green on the otherwise tan hillsides.  Soon it will be "Lord of the Rings" green around here.  (I suspect they altered the color balance in that trilogy, but I've never been to New Zealand where they shot it.)

I'm starting some Psychotria viridis(Chacruna) beans that I hope will sprout, and a few surprises.  Business has been surprisingly successfull, so it looks like you will be seeing more of this blog to come.  Happy growing, and if it gets too wet to garden.. go mushroom hunting.

I found this unidentified beauty on the Maunawili Ditch Trail yesterday: