Macadamia Nuts in Hawaii: History and Production - ctahr ...
Macadamia Nuts in Hawaii: History and Production - ctahr ...
Macadamia Nuts in Hawaii: History and Production - ctahr ...
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columnar, with others fall<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> between. 'Keauhou'<br />
(HAES 246) <strong>and</strong> 'Ikaika' (HAES 333) are<br />
basically dome shaped, 'Keaau' (HAES 660) <strong>and</strong><br />
'Ka'u' (HAES 344) are columnar, <strong>and</strong> 'Kakea'<br />
(HAES 508) can be either domed or columnar.<br />
These trees need to be pruned somewhat differently<br />
when planted together. However, to reduce<br />
the ills of tree shape <strong>and</strong> yet permit crosspoll<strong>in</strong>ation,<br />
the varieties are better planted <strong>in</strong><br />
alternate rows <strong>in</strong>stead of alternate trees.<br />
Plant<strong>in</strong>g<br />
The plant<strong>in</strong>g holes to receive the trees <strong>in</strong> the<br />
field should be laid out <strong>and</strong> completely prepared<br />
before plant<strong>in</strong>g operations beg<strong>in</strong>. This is very<br />
important s<strong>in</strong>ce the delicate grafted trees,<br />
especially when bare rooted, should not be left <strong>in</strong><br />
the field unplanted <strong>in</strong> the hot summer. The tree<br />
holes can be dug with h<strong>and</strong> tools, posthole diggers<br />
(Fig. 58), or a backhoe. The holes should be h<strong>and</strong><br />
cleared, if necessary.<br />
Plant<strong>in</strong>g method is an <strong>in</strong>dividual matter <strong>and</strong><br />
can vary depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>in</strong>dividual preference <strong>and</strong><br />
the situation. However, a few general words of<br />
caution may br<strong>in</strong>g the more common problems<br />
<strong>in</strong>to better focus. The grafted trees are liv<strong>in</strong>g entities<br />
with established root systems tha t need to be<br />
h<strong>and</strong>led very carefully <strong>and</strong> placed <strong>in</strong> their proper<br />
orientation. When us<strong>in</strong>g bare-rooted trees propagated<br />
<strong>in</strong> nursery rows, the taproot should be<br />
placed <strong>in</strong> a straight up-<strong>and</strong>-down position with<br />
all obstructions removed. The la terals should be<br />
aligned to spread from the ma<strong>in</strong> root-stem axis<br />
like wheel spokes attached to a hub, <strong>and</strong> th<strong>in</strong>ned,<br />
if necessary, to reduce congestion <strong>and</strong> permit the<br />
rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g laterals to radiate more strongly as<br />
def<strong>in</strong>ite la terals. The roots thus placed should be<br />
tamped <strong>in</strong> gently, to permit a firm foundation.<br />
Grafted trees propagated <strong>in</strong> conta<strong>in</strong>ers have to<br />
be treated somewhat differently prior to field<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>g. By the nature of root growth <strong>and</strong> extension<br />
<strong>in</strong> a conta<strong>in</strong>er, as often as not, some roots will<br />
assume dom<strong>in</strong>ancy <strong>in</strong> growth extension <strong>and</strong> will<br />
beg<strong>in</strong> to circle the side of the enclos<strong>in</strong>g conta<strong>in</strong>er.<br />
Some others might extend downward or vertically<br />
onto the table hold<strong>in</strong>g the conta<strong>in</strong>ers, or <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
soil if placed on the ground. Whichever the case,<br />
before plant<strong>in</strong>g, sever the circl<strong>in</strong>g extension to<br />
permit a radial extension, <strong>and</strong> sever the downward<br />
or vertical extensions, if necessary, at a po<strong>in</strong>t to<br />
permit further development <strong>in</strong> the field. Some<br />
trees do neither of the above, but the roots will<br />
Figure 58. The orig<strong>in</strong>al posthole digger fabricated by Slubenberg<br />
<strong>and</strong> Company <strong>in</strong> Hilo for use at Keaau Orchard <strong>in</strong> the<br />
early 1950s. Note the wide auger especially designed for<br />
macadamia on aa lava l<strong>and</strong>. This unit derived its power<br />
from the power takeoff on a tractor. In recent years, a backhoe<br />
has been used 10 further red uce cost.<br />
appear as p<strong>in</strong>po<strong>in</strong>ts at the conta<strong>in</strong>er surface. In<br />
such cases, s<strong>in</strong>ce no root system has assumed<br />
dom<strong>in</strong>ancy <strong>in</strong> extension, these trees should be<br />
planted undisturbed, <strong>in</strong> the hope that some of<br />
these po<strong>in</strong>ts will assume dom<strong>in</strong>ancy <strong>in</strong> the field to<br />
grow <strong>and</strong> extend <strong>in</strong>to structural laterals.<br />
To enable the trees to develop as soon as possible,<br />
fertilizers should be applied soon after<br />
plant<strong>in</strong>g. In areas where phosphate is a problem,<br />
about 1 pound of rock phospha te can be placed at<br />
the bottom of the tree hole or superphosphate can<br />
be spr<strong>in</strong>kled among the roots. Slow-release ferti<br />
1izers <strong>in</strong> tablets or granules may also be applied.<br />
Where lack of water can become a problem,<br />
irrigation water should be available; if it is not,<br />
the trees should be planted only when rai nfall is<br />
expected. In plant<strong>in</strong>g the trees on lava l<strong>and</strong> at<br />
45