Many plants have not been looking well since the heavy rains began in July, particular after the 3.7-inch downpour of July 20. Almost everything planted in the smaller upper section with good, rich soil ("tierra negra") is doing well. But, many of the plants in the larger lower section are looking poorly. This lower section has what I call "upside-down soil." It had relatively good soil when we bought the lot in 2006, but then the builder ended up with a humongous pile of red clay, which he proceeded to bulldoze over the top of the good soil. I was back in the States at the time and had no idea what was going on. The red clay averages about 8 inches deep, and in places is over a foot deep. NOT GOOD.
When my gardener and I planted trees and shrubs we dug large holes and filled them with good soil. But what happened was, when it began to rain hard, the water could not penetrate the red clay and ran downhill until it reached the good soil surrounding the trees and shrubs, and filled them up with water. These took hours or perhaps even days to drain. So, roots died and plants became stressed.
Last week I called Jorge the gardener and he and his helper came over and dug drainage ditches around almost everything. Another thing I have done is, when I make my potting soil I am adding a lot more sand to it, as well as some lime (carbonato de calcio). I hope these two measures will help the plants through the rainy season.
Okay, so yesterday was Mother's Day (at least it was here in Costa Rica) and my wife's sister Helia and her husband Gerardo Gonzalez came for a visit. Gerardo is a retired agronomist. I explained to him what the problem was, as I saw it, and showed him the drainage ditches. He said this was a good idea. (By the way, Gerardo is the only Costa Rican who believes me when I say I have lousy soil. All the others say I have excellent soil because the village of Concepcion (where we live) is well known for its rich, black volcanic soil. When I put a chunk of red clay in their hands and say, "Tell me this is good, soil," it seems to make no impression on them.) Then I showed him my two biggest disappointments -- the mango tree and the avocado tree. They had been doing so, so well, and suddenly they began to look sad -- droopy leaves and dark splotches on the new shoots. Gerardo quickly said, "probably nematodes, and certainly fungi." He said I should have sprayed the trees a couple of weeks ago, but there was still a chance of saving them if I did something right away.
So, today I went to the La Libertad Agricultural Co-op in Heredia and talked to the man there. I showed him a branch from each of the sick trees.He recommended Promet Cobre (copper) 250cc Phyton. He said I should mix one milaliter in one liter of water and spray it on every two weeks until the problem had cleared up. I did this this afternoon, and am keeping my fingers crossed.
I also planted a row of Silver King corn this afternoon. More on this later.
Weather today (Monday)
Mostly cloudy, calm morning; high, gusty winds and spray from the east in late morning. Overcast in the afternoon with a few, brief showers.
High - 71
Low - 67
Weather yesterday (Sunday)
Sunny, calm morning; cloudy afternoon with showers in later afternoon.
High - 75
Low - 66
Happy gardening!
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