Out of curiosity, is there any milage in planting the hardier 600's as wind breaks for the 251's. i.e round the edges of the plantations and periodically though the planation?
Out of curiosity, is there any milage in planting the hardier 600's as wind breaks for the 251's. i.e round the edges of the plantations and periodically though the planation?
^.
Dunno about that but might be an idea to bang 600s down the sides of any major roads, if you have any.
I,ve noticed that rubber trees don't like diesel fumes.
^^ yes the wind break was my next problem. it seems ok when the trees are growing to also grow potatoes and use them as windbreakers , but I've noticed locally that a few trees are down and theses are big mature ones .
obviously once they become a few yrs old growing inbetween is impossible and that's the time I'm worried about.. I live on a small hill that is isolated from higher ground so wind is a problem .
yes Jim the 468 I'm not an expert on. the 251 you mentioned is another option and yes malasian hybrids (2025 rimm) is the one I was considering . supposed to grow to a size that can be tapped within 4 yrs plus high yield but I have been warned, wind and water as they don't have a lot of tolerance for either , or atleast it needs to be constant and not fluctuating too much yr to yr.
I am here 6 months a yr plus I have people close to help too.
costs were 30bt for rimm600 upto 60bt for the later plants.
will not put up wiv the "Nanny state" so don't push it on me.
600 is the norm round here.
But the locals still don't like working when it's windy, too dangerous.. apparently.
On the subject of hybrids.
I was talking to a fellow from Thai Hua a few weeks back about hybrids and are they worth the extra aggro.
He said if your land is right ie drainage and windage then yes they are... some of the Malaysian "blends" can yeild 3 and even 4 times that of 600.
But... they need taking care of.... they are more suited to small holders that work the land themselves.. sort of 10 to 20 rai size.
Also when they produce they produce big... when they don't they really don't.
And the resting periods need really to be a bit more often and slightly longer.
Swings and rounderbouts.
Falling asleep and waking up is not the same as passing out and coming to.
If I was starting over that's exactly what I would do, plant 600s around the perimeter and 251s in the middle. They will still blow over in the early years, as the 600s will not have the canopy size to act as a wind break, but not a big problem. We had about 1,000 trees blow over in a big wind, think they were about 2 or 3 years old. Pulled them all up and put stay ropes to keep them up, only 4 or 5 had actually snapped. The rest were intact, no damage and all recovered.
One of the reasons you need to be on site, if you are not the Thais will just leave them on the ground. Jim
good points there lads
I've only 10 rai to plant and I'm waiting for June/July to plant them so I'll think a little more n update later . hardy 600s around the outside with maybe a few scattered in amongst the malasian hybrids.
When you are looking at the clone type, check what conditions they like, some places are just too dry for some clones. Have a look at JVP 80s [think JVP] also know as black leaf trees.. Available in Thailand, five years to tapping.
It's pissing rain here, tapping will begin as soon as the fertilizing is done, T/G I will have run out of beer money by the end of next week. Jim
^ that sounds similar to the breed I thought were Indian. I checked my notes( from last yr) and I recall them calling them a 468 . I'll look into that as ive just scribble notes at the mo.
there are many nurseries by me so I intend to visit most.
yes our land being to dry was a concern as at the bottom we have 4 rai of paddy fields that can only be cropped once a yr compared to three times just ten km down the road.
my confusion is people say more water but good drainage for one others say this must grow on a slope and not flat some have said these type need the same amount of water constantly throughout the yr .
it seems to be in my area that they used 600's a while ago then used those 251's that you have and now people are trying those black leaf (droopy leaves) u mention and once we got talking in depth a couple of nurseries mentioned these 2000 series.
so basically no straight answer. yet.
what I need to learn is about the plot of land first I.e what is wet what is dry and what do they call good drainage, also what do they call a slope is it 1:1, 1:100, 1:1000 etc.
many new and old plantations by me so anyone we see about we try to stop and have a chat.
I have a few months to confirm yet but the idears of hardy 600's on the perimeter and a few sporadic is more or less a dead cert.
cheers. I'll update as I go.
When planting these 600s around the edges, How many rows do you plant? A bit late now 555, I'm just curious.
^ good question . I've not got my answer to that yet but I know I don't want too many 600's
^ probably then, the answer would be to plant the 600's only on the side that the most damaging winds come from and 251's for the rest of the field. That way you only plant a bit over a quarter of the number of 600's if you planted all the way around the perimeter of the field.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it is hard to verify their authenticity." - Abe Lincoln.
^ another good point . now I've gotta start checking average wind directions aswell as rainfall (I already know) drainage and fall of the land.
our plot is 450m long and max 66m wide though.
my neighbours are only growing potatoes and pineapple so I'm fully exposed.
the locals will know which direction the most damaging winds come from.
if being blow over in the early years is a serious issue, why not grow a non rubber tree that provides fast good wind protection that you can thin/grub out as the rubber trees toughen up.
for example in bangkok there is a tree that grows like a pillar about 12-18 inches round and straight up. its used to provide sun breaks, privicy walls and given it seems quite flexible I would guess wind breaks.
^ any pics?
I doubt it.Originally Posted by palexxxx
The trees we have are in a narrow valley on 1 slope, the wind only blows across the slope. So we would only have to do 2 sides
Think you would be pushed predicting the wind direction, we get localized squalls that may cut a path 200 meters wide taking out trees, last 5 minutes and are gone.
Would think 2 rows of 600 trees would be enough to take the brunt of the wind. Your main worry is wind during the wet season, ground is soft from the rains and can't hold the trees upright. That's why the 251s fall over, bigger canopy, but same root system as the 600s. Jim
Big downpour, followed as ever by an ant/termite hatch. Fingers crossed for tapping tomorrow,
Wish it would rain here.
Sodding sultry weather and I'm not getting the rents in.
Still not enough rain, and it's so damned hot. Our guy has tried but no latex yet.
How many trees = your beer bill Jim?
Drink a lot, but about 2400 take care of my needs, other plantations the wife takes, She takes care of the school for the kids, car payments, electricity etc.. In saying that we are a family and she can take what she wants. Kids did the school march in Buntharik, 9,000 Bath for dresses and makeup, my kids I pay. Jim
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