The key to enjoying good flowers and fruit is soil preparation and correct fertilisation
and watering.
SOIL PREPARATION
Unless you’re prepared to do it properly, forget it. You may find it a lot easier
to grow in pots! (see last section of this bulletin).
The top 150mm (6") of soil should contain at least 50-70% peat. Use Thunderpeat or
Fast Peat Bricks. When you work the peat into the soil add 100 grams/m2 (about
1 handful) of Tropigro 10-88 + 50 grams per m2 of Tropigro Osmocote 3 month. A
rich soil will give you bountiful rewards!
IRRIGATION
Don’t rely on handwatering. A simple drip or spray system will enable you to apply
a nice fine spray or drip each morning and night. (15 minutes per watering)
WHILE THEY’RE GROWING!
A weekly dose of liquid 10-97 applied with a watering can will give you flowers and
fruit as good as you’ll see anywhere down south! In its commercial packing, liquid
10-97 is used by professional growers around the world. This weekly feeding is critical.
TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT – GROW IN POTS!
If you find digging and preparing soil a hassle, try growing in pots. Use large (300mm+
diameter) earthenware pots and irrigate them with a sprayer. Take the drip line up through
the pot drain hole.
Use a high quality potting mix like Tropigro, avoid the el-cheapo’s! Add the
contents of one peat brick to every 25L of Tropigro Potting Mix. Use 3 month Tropical
Osmocote and mix 150 grams in with 25L of potting mix. One week after planting commence
weekly feeding with Liquid 10-97. |