Seabuckthorn Plants Have Arrived!

News: Seabuckthorn Production in India

Minister for Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather

The Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the highest producers of sea buckthorn in the India.  "This product has become an export item for the state as it is valued for beverage and jam, herbal tea, cosmetic products, nutrient composition and anti-oxidant potential for pharmaceutical companies.”

"Currently, Leh has produced 68 tonnes of pulp through cooperative societies and more than 20 tonnes of sea buckthorn pulp by the self-help group," Rather said.
The item is in demand in private sector and the government is making attempts to increase its productivity.
"The Forest department has been trying to increase the area and density under the sea buck thorn in Ladakh by undertaking more plantations," the minister said.
An initiative has been taken for conservation, cultivation and management of sea buckthorn in Leh by forest department with the help of National Medicinal Plant Board of India.
Forest department is in the process to take up five years project, aimed at the development of sea buck thorn in Leh and Kargil districts, to be executed with the financial assistance from the Centre under National Mission for Green India.

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500 Plants arrive 

The wild, non-varietal, genetically diverse two year old plants have arrived.  They are about 3-4 feet tall, bare root and seem to be extraordinarily healthy.  I have placed some of them on E-Bay.  I'll sell a few but I would also be very happy if all of them end up planted in Seboeis, Maine at the farm.  (this link does not reflect the new field)  

10 bare root Seabukthorn plants

How can I possibly plant 500?  I have 10 days to do it and the biggest challenge will be the black flies.  They can be vicious this time of year so likely most of the work will be done early in the day when I hope the temperatures will be very cool and the little buggers are still sluggish.  The biggest danger will be the bears, yes bears.  Here is a photo I captured of one about 50 yards from the field,

Yogi :-)

Luckily the fall hunting season makes them very wary of humans.  I still am concerned in the springtime since they have just awakened from a long winter's nap and, well, I'd be hungry too.....   I'll take some non-lethal precautions.

Before placing the bare root plants into the soil, I will be dipping the root systems in a polymer gel slurry infused with endo and ectomycorrhizal fungi.  The gel and beneficial fungi will adhere to the roots preserving moisture and will, with luck, get the plants off to a good start.

Fozzel from Montana Writes:  So what kind of training do you have with wrestling bears?   

Fozzel (is that really your name?)-  I figure since ordinarily I am only tolerable in short doses and am not a good partner on long hikes and my jokes are a little tiresome, even Yogi will have better company to keep.