HOME AND GARDEN
Learn safe pest management
By Heidi Bornhorst
Q. We want to manage our pests organically. Too many pesticides are used, and they are harmful to all. If it kills something, it can kill you or make you sick later. It can also make weird algae grow. How can we learn more about safe and organic alternative pest controls? Who are some of the experts in the field and at the university?
Mahalo,
Mindy Ichinose, 'Aiea
A.You can meet some of the experts and see the techniques in action at a workshop. The University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, along with Hawaii Organic Farmers Association, are holding organic pest management workshops on three islands this summer.
The first is on O'ahu tomorrow and Sunday, The Big Island workshop takes place June 26-27, and the Kaua'i workshop will be July 10-11. Hector Valenzuela, specialist in tropical crops and author of numerous studies on organic and sustainable practices, will present several sessions with a plant pathologist and a panel of experienced organic farmers.
Topics during the first day of workshops will include:
- nutrient management tips to improve tolerance to pests;
- cultural management practices;
- tools and products available for pest control under organic federal standards; and
- Plant "doctor" presentation (disease ID, diagnosing and other control tips).
For the second half-day of the workshop, participants will visit organic farms to discuss on-farm production problems and pest management tactics.
Paid for in part by a grant from the state Department of Agriculture, the workshop is designed for organic and transitional farmers and experienced gardeners. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Registration fee is $75 for association members, $85 for nonmembers. For information, fees, and other workshop details, contact Bari at the association, (877) 674-4632, fax (808) 969-7759 or hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org.
For workshop content information, contact Hector Valenzuela at (808) 956-7903, fax (808) 956-3894, or hector@hawaii.edu.
IN BLOOM: Rainbow showers are blooming in a big way. The "queen white" variety is particularly lovely, with abundant blooms in Kapi'olani Park and nearby neighborhoods.
There are some very nice trees of "Nii gold" variety as you drive up Monsarrat just past the zoo. This is a deep-gold flower with hints of ripe mango, a colored variety of the rainbow shower.
Stephanotis are abundant and dripping perfect for graduation and summer weddings. The Hawaiian name pua male refers to the joyous occasion and translates as "marriage flower."
Crownflower in purple and white is also making a comeback. This old-fashioned, tough, drought-tolerant plant is gorgeous in the garden, and all kinds of lei can be fashioned from the perfectly named flowers.
Mangos are having a good season, and drip with multi green, gold and apricot from plush, healthy-looking crowns of foliage.
Despite all the winds and rain, we seem to have a fairly abundant crop.
I had two 'ono ones of the "Fairchild" variety all the way from Kaua'i from my pals Walter and Irmalee Pomroy's Anahola farm.
I had a couple from a secret Waikiki tree that is part "Pirie" by the taste and gorgeous color and aroma of the half-ripe fruit.
I helped my sister move a rock one rainy Saturday and we were rewarded with several nice half-ripe Haden mangoes. Shoyu and vinegar, baby! Some 'ono on a humid, dripping day.
Heidi Bornhorst is a sustainable-landscape consultant. Submit questions to islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com or Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Letters may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
