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Issue No. 10
Dec  2014 | Jan | Feb 2015
Winter 2014-2015 Master Gardener Newsletter
In This Issue
NEWS from around the STATE
Recycle Organic Wastes through Vermicomposting
The Benefits of Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting in Hawaii
Quick Links

 2014 Statewide Conference a Success!

Thank you Maui Master Gardeners! 

 

We had MGs attending from all islands and all programs, 88 overall: 3 from West Hawai'i, 5 from East Hawai'i, 8 from Kaua'i, 20 from O'ahu, and 35 from Maui, plus spouses, friends, general public, speakers & special guests. The Maui UPCOUNTRY TOUR was great -- not only were we all together, but there was something for everyone's interest. It was a beautiful day to learn TOGETHER. READ about the conference from the MGs that attended in the articles from each program below.

Lorraine Brooks


Aloha to Lorraine 

We had such a successful conference, thanks to the leadership of Lorraine Brooks & the Maui Master Gardeners. Thank you for showing us the beauty of Maui and helping us learn & grow together! We sadly say Aloha to Lorraine as she leaves her position at UH for a position in Washington, a hui hou! Thanks for all you've done for the Maui MG program and home gardeners on Maui!

NEWS from around the STATE

NEWS FROM KAUA'I 
Kim Perry, MG Coordinator Kaua'i
Mokihana, Melicope anisata
Mokihana
Melicope anisata

Maui Memoires

Last month, Master Gardeners from across the islands joined together on Maui for the 2014 Statewide Conference. It was wonderful to have representatives from all five of the UHMG Programs present at the event, including a large delegation of nine Master Gardeners from Kaua'i. Read more here. 

 
NEWS FROM O'AHU
Jayme Grzebik, MG Coordinator Oʻahu

'Ilima, Sida fallax
Ilima
Sida fallax 

A Warm Welcome on Maui

by Barbara Alexander, Oʻahu Master Gardener

Several O'ahu Intern MGs, as well as Certified MGs attended the Conference; about 20 in total. What a warm welcome the O'ahu MGs received on Maui! The Maui Conference planners did an excellent job of coordinating, which was especially appreciated by the off-island folks. Read more here.

 

NEWS FROM MAUI COUNTY

Lokelani Rose
Rosa chinensis

Help Desk Phobia

by Mike Nishimoto, Maui Master Gardener

To practice working the help desk, the 2014 Maui Master Gardeners class had a session diagnosing plant problems. The first sample stumped me. I looked at several more samples and could identify only the very basic plant problems. I knew we had to put in 30 hours at the help desk and thought this is impossible. Could I say anything intelligent when a homeowner comes in for advice? Read more here.  

 

llbAloha Lorraine

by Mary Matsukawa, Maui Master Gardener

An Aloha and Appreciation luncheon was held at the Dunes at Maui Lani, Dec. 3, 2014 to bid Lorraine Brooks a fond farewell and best wishes on her future endeavors. Lorraine will be sorely missed by the Maui Master Gardeners. Read more here.   

Aloha Lorraine
Aloha Lorraine! We wish you a bright future!
NEWS FROM EAST HAWAI'I  
Andrew Kawabata, MG Coordinator 
Ohia, Metrosideros polymorphas
Ohia Metrosideros polymorpha

East Hawai'i MGs host California MGs
by Dawn Garlich, East Hawai'i Master Gardener

The East Hawaiʻi Master Gardener Association has proven themselves not only to be master gardeners, but master event planners as well. Sept 24-27, 2014, we hosted 23 master gardeners from Ventura County, California. Read more here.  

 

READ about the UHMG Statewide conference in this article by Dawn Garlich, East Hawai'i Master Gardener. 

 

NEWS FROM WEST HAWAI'I  
Ty McDonald, MG Coordinator 
Ohia, Metrosideros polymorpha
Ohia
Metrosideros polymorpha

West Hawai'i MGs take Sandalwood Tour
by Celeste Makrevis, West Hawai'i Master Gardener

 

West Hawaiʻi Master Gardeners enjoyed a journey together up to ~5000 ft. for a sandalwood tour in Kona. We toured the shade house and the greenhouse, then went for a hike to see natives growing beautifully all around us. We plan to return in the Spring to help gather seeds of sandalwood, ʻōhiʻa and other native plant seeds to help maintain this beautiful dry wood forest.  Read more here.  

   

Recycle Organic Wastes through Vermicomposting
by Archana Pant and Koon-Hui Wang, University of Hawai'i
Vermicompost worms
 
New research is revealing reasons why vermicompost possesses better plant growth promoting properties than thermophilic compost. It contains a considerable amount of organic acids such as plant growth promoting hormones and humic acids. It also has high water holding capacity, low C: N ratio and low phytotoxicity. However, vermicompost quality varies depending on many factors including earthworm species, raw material used as feed stock, and the age of the compost. 

The Benefits of Vermicomposting
The Benefits of Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting in Hawaii
Vermicomposting in Hawaii

 
Aloha!

 

Jayme Grzebik
Email: GrzebikJ@ctahr.hawaii.edu
University of Hawaiʻi Master Gardener Statewide Coordinator

Assisted by Jody Smith | Oahu MG | smithjos@hawaii.edu
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
University of Hawai'i
'Iliahi, Sandalwood seedlings, Santalum paniculatum
'Iliahi, Sandalwood seedlings, Santalum paniculatum