It used to be the coconut trees which were infested with beetles, who ate the stem of the tender shoot! Now the beetles seem to attack the palm trees. This is the fifth palm tree we are about to loose. Although it is possible to use pesticides to eliminate them, we avoided using them for the sake of wanting to be bio-friendly.
The beetle threat is the reason that farmers turned to plant rubber trees instead of coconut palms about 25 years ago. Of course the rubber tree yielded its sap in the fifth year, while the coconut trees took at that time seven or more years to yield. The market price of rubber has fallen recently and the price of coconut is soaring. But not enough coconut plantations as getting rid of the beetle is a laborious process and once infested there is a fifty percent chance of loosing a tree.
Fortunately, there are genetically modified coconut palms that are resistant to common plant ailments. Out of twenty genetically modified coconut palms we planted during the last five year, we lost two already.
The palm trees are on either side of our access to the cottage. Their ornamental appearance has given a welcome feel to our cottage.
A loss is a impoverishing experience. It is a seven year old palm, which we planted when we arrived to stay in this cottage.
In fact life is in seven year cycles according to Ericsson. We celebrate its life and feel the loss of it!
The oldest of the palms has now flowered and the flower is a biological art piece. To have the upper trunk of the tree surrounded with this elegant art work of flowers would be eye pleasing to watch!
The oldest of the palms has now flowered and the flower is a biological art piece. To have the upper trunk of the tree surrounded with this elegant art work of flowers would be eye pleasing to watch!
M.C.Mathew(text an photo)
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