Sigh... Art has given up.
When the papaya trees grew too tall, Art cut the trees down and put a can on it as he was advised to do. We were hopeful when we saw little shoots growing from the side.
However, eventually worms (maggots) started to eat up the tree under the cans and the tree died a slow death.
Sadly, Art has had to pull them out. We have another tree starting and are hopeful that it will be as sweet as the other two trees were.
Then again, if they are... there will be a battle with the birds again.
Art is looking for a miniature mango tree. I wonder if birds eat mangoes too.
When the papaya trees grew too tall, Art cut the trees down and put a can on it as he was advised to do. We were hopeful when we saw little shoots growing from the side.
However, eventually worms (maggots) started to eat up the tree under the cans and the tree died a slow death.
Sadly, Art has had to pull them out. We have another tree starting and are hopeful that it will be as sweet as the other two trees were.
Then again, if they are... there will be a battle with the birds again.
Art is looking for a miniature mango tree. I wonder if birds eat mangoes too.
Sigh... Well, maggots and birds gotta eat too.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a mango tree in my back yard in Puerto Rico. It didn't have any bird problems, but then again, mangoes aren't as easy to eat, with all those stringy fibers. Sorry to hear of the papaya tree demise.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you got some fruit from that old tree. I told David not to buy anymore papayas from the supermarket, because they tend to be bruised and unappetizing to eat. Maybe I should try the farmers market nearby.
ReplyDeleteHey Gigi, the ABC stores had fresh, local papayas for a decent price when I was there! I knew they had fresh sandwiches, but was delighted when I saw the papayas. DrumMajor
DeleteGardening is a battle with the elements and creatures...my husband has stopped cause the weather is too hot here in the summers...
ReplyDeleteAwwww shucks, this is sad, but it had a nice history. (I am glad Art didn't fall on those tall ones.)
ReplyDelete(Jeepers, Dina is so understanding in wanting the maggots to eat too.) We wouldn't have wanted maggots in the papayas. Hope the maggots don't travel to the new tree. Good Luck with the next trees!
DrumMajor
Well, darn. There has to be another solution.
ReplyDeleteI know, I know! Drape the new papaya tree with the anti-bird mesh before it gets too tall? Or did you say they eat through the mesh? Put out a bird feeder in another section of the yard? Hoo boy. Ask the guys at "Take Home Maui," where I get a big box of paypas to ship home. They may know what the farmers do to keep out the birds. Cheers, Drooling DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteoh that's too bad, great that you are planting another one. It should do well in that great climate!
ReplyDeleteMiniature mango tree? Now there's an oxymoron if there ever was one. The mango trees I'm aware of are generally huge to the max. On the other hand, Hawaii would greatly benefit from a miniature mango tree, because our house lots are usually half as large as those on the Mainland, so there's another possible project to work on.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad......
ReplyDeletegood luck with the new one!!
I noticed your yard doesn't have any grass. What is the soil covered with?
ReplyDeleteIt's covered with gravel so we don't have to mow anything. That's nice but I do miss having grass.
DeleteI always feel badly, but happy to start again! You can bury it and start it all again. I can't tell you the number of plants I've killed. Say a few words and have a ceremony!
ReplyDeleteCheers from Cottage Country!
This year I'm going to pay more attention to growing some of what we eat. I love easy to grow vegetation like one variety of chinese spinach that grows sturdily on a vine. Very nutritious and versatile to add in soups or saute. Another is kang kong (ong choy). Recently we found seeds at Don Quiote (in fact we found the chinese spinach seeds at DQ too) but I don't think the latter will grow well in our hot dry climate. Also I should sprout seeds. Right now our gardening is limited to containers since the yard is off limits (my fathers domain)at the moment.
ReplyDeleteL...w
My mother is our gardener and I try to stay out of her way.
DeleteOh, I'm so sorry about the tree. I hope the little ones produce good fruit soon for you.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, you were eating fruit off new trees within a few years.
ReplyDeleteAt that rate starting over isn't so bad.