Greetings plant and garden lovers. In previous posts I've mentioned that a good portion of an acre of the intentional community where I live was covered by lava from the 2018 eruption here in Lower Puna, on the Eastern tip of the Big Island of Hawai'i. The whole southern side of the property is now a 15-foot tall lava wall.
There are two easy access points up on the lava, one being on the property and, one off. At the on-property site one of the fellows who lives here (Sundog) built a geodesic bamboo structure in which to live. We had the idea to make pockets of soil and mulch up on the lava, surrounding his place, to plant interesting and useful plants that might be amenable to the unusual conditions. Over a short time the first phase of this was completed.
The photos below are a few snapshots of what we've planted so far, as experiments. We are in the midst of torrential rainstorms and lots of clouds now, as we move into the wettest part of the year, so I ask for understanding for the less than ideal quality of the photos. I also took them a bit later in the day than I usually do.
Sweet potatoes.
Sqaush.
Tobacco.
Wider views.
Various cacti and succulents (and a Cuban oregano).
On the path up onto the lava, over the course of two or so years, I've also planted several bromeliad species and varieties as well. Given that bromeliads are epiphytes, usually living way up in the tree tops, using the trees simply as support, to get into the sun, they tend to adapt exceptionally well to living up on lava, requiring only rain, sun, and bits of organic matter that falls into pools of water at the center of their rosettes.
Just another snippet from my jungle life. If these plants do well, I'll post photo updates. 🙏💚🤙
Do post updates! This is amazing! I always new volcanic soil is healthy as what @afterglow said but someone actually planting on Lava itself is fascinating. So far so good. The plants are looking healthy too!
Thank you! Yes, I'll post updates, as multiple people do seem interested. Planting on lava has the quality of perfect drainage, as the lava is extremely porous. Since the lava is so new, most minerals are still locked up in it, until it degrades further. For that reason we do have an challenge out here with fewer bio-available minerals. The more plants that are growing on and in the lava, the faster the lava degrades, and the minerals are released over time. Having some sort of mulch cover is also helpful, to help slow the nutrients in the soil from being carried away by our often torrential rains, down into the porous lava. 🙏💚
Yay! I learned something new! I think its really important more than ever to emphasize on planting more plants and trees so its really nice to see people here sharing their garden or planting journey.
This is the first time that I have seen someone doing this type of gardening, it is said that soil from the volcano is very rich in minerals. Good luck with your garden and greetings from the Philippines!
Thank you! Yes, soil derived from lava does tend to be quite rich in minerals, however, this part of Hawai'i is so new, that most of the minerals are still locked up in the lava, with less bio-available minerals, yet. The torrential rains also tend to carry nutrients away through the very porous lava that underlies this entire area. Building soil here takes time and patience. Very new earth.
You're welcome (^_^)
Good luck with your blog and I am looking forward to your next update on your garden.
I really appreciate that. There is quite a bit of interest for updates, so I'd be happy to oblige. Everything grows quickly here, so they shouldn't be too far off in the future. 🙏💚
It's the first time am seeing this but they look so beautiful and well cultivated. Well-done 👍
Thank you! They are all newly planted, but they've all been doing quite well so far. I can't wait to see how they develop.
Trust it will develop well
This is pretty fantastic and so very interesting, breathing new life where life was once taken. Your intentional garden looks quite amazing and I am sure it will thrive beautifully. Would love to see more photos over time. !PIZZA !ALIVE
Thank you! I'm excited to see how everything grows over the next few months. Given there does seem to be interest, I'll post updates. 🙏💚
Fabulous! I look forward to them!
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tHAT'S ABSOLUTLEY EXTRAORDINARY! Aren't you scared of more eruptions? I've been watching the one in the Canary Islands and being amazed at the lava destroying everything. But you've made something out of it and it looks lovely!
Thank you! I'm grateful that you appreciate it! Regarding the lava, I arrived in Lower Puna and on the Big Island one month before the 6.9 earthquake that began the eruption in 2018 in Leilani Estates. I remained in Lower Puna through the entire eruption, usually about 3 to 4 miles from active lava. I didn't believe that I came here to Hawai'i to die by lava, so I stopped worrying too much about it. Lava could pop up pretty much anywhere in this area, though it tends to stick to the fault lines.
Even with the challenges and dangers, I love living out here in the jungle, on the edge of the lava.