Mango trees prepared for flower induction

After about five years of little or zero mango harvest because of the new pest "kurikong manga" (cecid fly), we hope to have some harvest this year. A sprayer has come along, they will get 70% of the harvest, the farm owner/s will get 30%. Fair sharing because it is very labor-intensive and costly to spray mangos.

They started spraying for flower induction in some areas that have been cleared, about two weeks ago. Another batch of mango trees to be sprayed this week perhaps as more trees are cleared of tall and thick cogons, other grasses and vines.

I took these photos of the farm last Saturday.

About four men worked here, using the mechanical grass cutter and manual cutting with "tabas".

They burn the grasses around 6am when it is not hot nor windy, the fire can easily be controlled. Late morning, more windy and the fire may spread beyond control.

No mango flowers yet, the flowers come out some three weeks after spraying the flower induction.

Here's one mango tree surrounded by wild trees, tall grasses and vines. These must be cut and removed before spraying can be done.

New and thick rock barrier

Last Saturday, I visited the farm and I planned to build a rock barrier on a depression that becomes a small stream during the rainy months. We have already built a water diversion during flash flood, see previous two postings. Strong water flow will be divided into two and hence, water force will be weaker.

This new structure will trap eroded soil, organic matter during flash flood. Photos before and after. Done with 3 men helping, we did it in about 3 hours.

Back view, before and after.

Top view, huge + medium-size rocks in the front, smaller rocks behind. About 3 1/2 ft high, 2+ ft width at the base.

Some of those huge rocks will need 2-3 men to push them up the barrier, cannot be lifted. Photo below, from left: Danny, Anoling, Nong Endring, the caretaker.

Terraces Beside Narra Trees, Part 3

Some old photos here as I failed to regularly update this blog.

July 2016. A portion was eroded by flash flood weeks earlier.

Gathered stones, built a 3-layer protection from further erosion, done.

At the back of those terraces are old, decomposing old leaves, branches, other organic materials.

We cleaned up and cut those small trees that regenerated on their own and are too close to each other. Piled them at the back of the stone terrace.

August 2016. It was raining when I visited one weekend that month. Good, I saw how water and eroded organic matter is trapped behind those stones.

This mild current can become huge, strong and violent during a flash flood.

September 2016. Not raining when I visited one weekend that month, but the temporarily-impounded water and organic matter are visible, nice.

A small, cute mini-water falls.

The water exits between those rocks, or seep under the soil and come out in trickles like spring water under the roots of this narra tree.