The Rainy Season has Arrived

The rainy season has definitely arrived and with a vengeance. Fortunately, even though we flood during a heavy downpour, within an hour after the rain stops the flooded areas are back to normal.

We have been picking jackfruit for over a week and it appears there will be a good crop this season.

A regular customer brought seeds of a new gourd which he calls Kodu, from Bangladesh.  The word ‘Kodu’ is an Indian name for any type of squash or gourd.  The botanical name is Lagenaria siceraria (Bottle Gourd).  The tender stem ends, in addition to the gourd itself, are eaten.  We picked the first fruit yesterday which we gave to him.  I am anxious to try it.

We are growing several different varieties of tropical pumpkins which are called ‘Calabasa’ in Spanish. These tropical pumpkins are very good to eat. They make a wonderful soup or you can just bake them with some butter and cinnamon.

Since the rain started about two weeks ago there has been a transformation here at the nursery.  Everything has greened up and is growing like a weed.  It is a great time of year.

We have 3-gallon star potato trees blooming which are truly beautiful.

Come on by and see the many butterflies and their host and larval plants.  We have re-established our Atala butterfly collection. A must see.