Re: Kaolin - Advice Needed


--

>Hi Glenn -
>
>1-2m is a fair bit a soil space, and I expect, as Diana mentioned, that
>many of your deeper rooting plants will get through to something else,
>eventually.  Drainage is possibly an issue - have you done some drainage
>testing to see if there is a problem?  Fill up your hole with water and
>watch how long it takes to empty.  Except in your wettest months (possibly
>now?), if should drain in a couple of hours.  If not, you might want to
>consider a some sort of artificial drainage.
>
>I can think of several trees that might do well.  The Fig tree mentioned is
>a good example.  Espaliered Figs can be very interesting, with lots of
>knarly growth - go with an informal training as this one tends to be rather
>rustic in habit.  Apples/Crabapples are perhaps better for a more formal
>training, but can also be left to become more rustic.  They take the heat
>well, also.  Citrus trees might also be a good choice.  Being evergreen,
>and often with winter fruit, they make a good shown in the cooler
>months.  Pomagranates (Punica granata) are deciduous in winter but very
>handsome in spring and in fruit during summer.  All of these are very heat
>tolerant and do not seem bothered by soil problems here.


Hi    Thanks for all the responses to this

We've just had about 50mm of rain in the last 24hrs & the area doesn't seem
to have bad drainage problems - apart from my hole of course. Its a pretty
coarse soil overlying the clay & slightly sloping, so I think its draining
off under my brick paving OK.
I like Chas' idea of getting a drilling rig in straight away & smashing
through the layers.Unfortunately costing & accessability preclude this. A
fine example of American ' can do ' mentality in action though.
I think I'm going to have to be more subtle however.
The soil level is enough for me to keep a good 10cm of mulch on top, which
will hopefully start working on the clay.
We have a major problem with figs in the Cape at the moment. In the last few
years a beatle has been introduced from further north which seems to
specifically target Ficus species. The adult chews out the bark &
effectively ringbarks the branches while the larvae bore in & eat out the
heart wood. I lost 2 mature edible figs in a couple of years & a 5m high
Moreton Bay fig, which was bulking up nicely, within one year. A fig in the
site would have been a good choice but for this.
I had been contemplating a plum tree as they do take the heat better than
other stone fruit but your idea of espaliering a citrus interests me. I've
never seen it done before & thought they didn't lend themselves to training
like that. Their shallow rooting system would be ideal for that site .
Can anyone tell me of any experience of training these & how it works.?
Don't you have to watch for sunburn on the branches here & wouldn't it leave
the tree wide open for it ?
Also has anyone had any experience with trying to grow & fruit a custard
apple & how it might work in this situation ?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts here.

Regards

Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253  E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
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