Donate enough money or prove enough demand and they probably would.Rongagin71 said:
Manuka honey has become very valuable because of its anti-bacterial properties, and both the flowers and wood of the tree are useful. Two types currently grow in New Zealand and prefer 50-68F.
Is Texas A&M working on adapting it to warmer temps?
I couldn't get a match on my internet, so assuming NOT.
If we're talking about creating varieties that are more tolerant of our climate, that's a whole new breeding program. That's a lot of money, and breeding perennial plants takes a long time.C@LAg said:i believe the trees/bushes/shrubs whatever grow on the West Coast (cali to WA), so if it was doable I think there would be some home grown product already.texAZtea said:Donate enough money or prove enough demand and they probably would.Rongagin71 said:
Manuka honey has become very valuable because of its anti-bacterial properties, and both the flowers and wood of the tree are useful. Two types currently grow in New Zealand and prefer 50-68F.
Is Texas A&M working on adapting it to warmer temps?
I couldn't get a match on my internet, so assuming NOT.
Otherwise not much of a reason to.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-02-08/potential-manuka-honey-province-in-harvey-waroona-peel-shires/8249110
C@LAg said:i was talking more about making it a viable product to produce here (growing the existing plant without having to modify it). It can grow in some places on the west coast, and the bees are the standard European honey bees like they have in NZ/Aus. But it is just not financially feasible/marketable to do it at this time, even before nay modifications to the plant.texAZtea said:
If we're talking about creating varieties that are more tolerant of our climate, that's a whole new breeding program. That's a lot of money, and breeding perennial plants takes a long time.
Edit:C@LAg said:I mean.. it already grows here, so not sure what you think I need to prove.texAZtea said:C@LAg said:i was talking more about making it a viable product to produce here (growing the existing plant without having to modify it). It can grow in some places on the west coast, and the bees are the standard European honey bees like they have in NZ/Aus. But it is just not financially feasible/marketable to do it at this time, even before nay modifications to the plant.texAZtea said:
If we're talking about creating varieties that are more tolerant of our climate, that's a whole new breeding program. That's a lot of money, and breeding perennial plants takes a long time.
If the plant and the growing environment don't mix, you have to change one of them to produce a viable product.
If that means growing it under a shade cloth that may work.
You should try growing it and let us know.
