I've been meaning to introduce these two beauties here, as I've been meaning to write about lots of other things too. But yesterday I stumbled across this post by @ecoinstant regarding tree farts, reforestation, especially in one place in Cameroon... (read it for yourselves!) So I decided, I should be part of the action, even though the actual thanks should not go to me but to these two guys here (they might be girls, actually, not sure). In any case, I never intended to plant trees, as my roof would never be able to support them unfolding their full potentials. However, once they came on their own, I would not turn them away. Instead I gave them some of the biggest pots I could find (which have been shrinking ever since), and promised to find them a good home where they could stay for good.
Avocado
The tree on my left, the one with the many big flat leaves, is my avocado. It grew out of my worm-box a good three years ago while I was gone for a few weeks. When I discovered it, it was already as tall as my forearm, and its roots had grown criss-cross all throughout the worm-box. It wasn't easy to transplant, and since a good amount of rootage was lost in the process, I also removed all of its leaves, save for a small bunch on the very top. At first it was struggling a bit, but once it caught itself, it started growing in all directions. Now it serves as a reminder to have it transplanted in a good place. A lower elevation, and sandy soil are what we're looking for.
Papaya
The other tree to my right is a papaya, only a few months older than my avocado tree. It came out of the same vermicomposter, though it was much smaller when I transplanted it, and so it also recovered much more quickly. As it can be seen quite clearly, for a three-and-a-half-year-old papaya tree, it looks rather small and criply. A friend of mine on the coast showed me his papayas he planted only a year ago... you need a ladder to reach the fruit, whereas mine don't even dream of flowering. Not that it deserves any less love, but there remains little doubt: it needs a good home on a much lower elevation. Or, and this is our current hope, if another friend completes the greenhouse in her home, this little tree will move into her bathroom.
As for tree farts, these two fellows are doing a great job already. If all goes well, they should supplement it with some nice droppings as well. In any case, I'll keep you updated on the lovely homes these two are bound to find. Stay tuned...!