Just a tasted of Limahuli Garden and Preserve
"Is set in a verdant tropical valley on the north shore of the Hawaiian Island of Kaua`i. The Garden is backdropped by the majestic Makana Mountain and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. In Hawaiian, the name Limahuli means “turning hands,” which recognizes the ancient Hawaiians who built agricultural terraces out of lava rock and planted cultivars of kalo (taro), an important cultural food crop. These and other plants that were significant to the early inhabitants, as well as native species, make up the Garden's collections. The property includes a plantation-era garden, as well as invasive species that were introduced by modern man. Limahuli Stream, one of the last pristine waterways left in the Islands, provides a habitat for indigenous aquatic life."
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| What a great week with the crew |
Harvesting Kalo (Taro) in 700 year old taro terraces.
Step 1
Approximately 9 months after first planting Kalo it should be mature
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| Mature Kalo ready to be harvested |
Step 2
Enter into the terraces with peace in your heart and grace in your soul. Find mature clumps of Kalo and locate "mother plant".
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| Director Dr. Kawika Winters showing me how its done |
Step 3
With a gentle stepping motion the mature corm is removed by breaking the small fibrous roots that protrude from the corm. During this process the offshoots are being planted firmly in the field.
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| Removing the Kalo with a traditional methods |
Step 4
Remove mature corm from terrace
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| Myself and Kawika Winters after harvest |
Step 5
Clean and remove the fibrous roots of the corm in preparation for multi culinary creations
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| Cleaning the fresh Kalo |
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| Freshly cleaned Kalo |
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| Off to the kitchen |
Harvesting Sweet Potato
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| After 6 months potatoes were ready |
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| Ready to dig the little treasures up |
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| The joy of the harvest |
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| Taking cutting for the next crop planting |
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| Cuttings root in water and will be planted out to grow the next crop |
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| Historical varieties are preserved by asexual propagation methods |
Preparing and planting bananas
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| Weeding the area before planting |
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| Dr. Winters shows how deep to plant banana plants need to be planted |
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| In no time the bananas will flush new leaves... happy in there new home |
Conservation efforts within the lower preserve
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| Removal of invasive species within the native preserve |
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| Out-planting with native plants |
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| Red Peperomias are my favorite |
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| what a cute fern accompanied with moss |
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| New leaves of Charpentiera densiflora |
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| Carex wahuensis ready to be planted |
Propagation of native ferns
Due to the intensity of invasive species and lack of success in fern propagation many native ferns are extremely rare. To help aid in the recovery of the native Hawaiian forest two species of fern are propagated. Both
Microlepia strigosa and
Asplenium kaulfusii can be propagated asexually.
Asplenium kaulfusii
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| Plantlets form on leaves and this is a great way to propagate |
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| Fronds are placed on planting media |
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| After 3 months fronds degrade and plantlets root and become established |
Microlepia strigosa
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| Shoots are removed from mature plants |
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| Shoots were planted in media |
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| Water in the new plants |
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| After 5 months new leaves form |
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