MIRLITON.ORG

MIRLITON.ORG

How to Use a Soil Sampler to Prevent Watering Problems in Mirlitons

by | Feb 28, 2024 | How To, Mirliton

The soil sampler is the simplest way to see how much moisture your mirliton roots are getting. It’s the only quick, inexpensive way to see if you have over-watered or under-watered your vine.  The “second knuckle” method of sticking your finger into the soil only tells you what the soil moisture is near the surface; that method does not work with mirlitons because the roots extend downward 8″.  Electric meters are also ineffective because they measure electrical conductivity–not soil moisture.  The only way to know the available soil moisture beneath your mirliton is to see and touch it, and that’s exactly what a soil sampler allows you to do. Mirliton growers in Brazil have used this method for years.  James Leblanc shows you how to take a sample and check the moisture levels at root zone levels.

See the video here

Buy a soil sampler here.

Mirliton rootzone:

Preventing Cross-Pollination in Mirliton Varieties

by | Feb 18, 2024 | How To, Mirliton

There are no scientific studies on cross-pollination in mirlliton varieties, so we can’t speak with any certainty about the chances of cross-pollination. Mirlitons are self-pollinating plants and are primarily pollinated by bees.  Honey bees are systematic foragers; they will focus on one plant until they have collected all the nectar.  That means they are less likely to carry pollen from another plant, thus reducing the risk of cross-pollination. 

Because of this, generally, you can grow two different varieties with little risk of cross-pollination. If you grow only one variety at a time, you will have even less risk. But if you want to ensure that the offspring of a plant will be true-to-type, there is a simple way to do that: controlled pollination.

Using controlled pollination will guarantee that the specific fruit you picked from your vine will grow the same variety. Click here to see how to do it.