This article marks a major milestone for me: It is the 100th article written for publication in this column. A conservative word-count reveals I have written one million+ words for the Bali Advertiser on this subject. These could be edited down to 60 – 80,000 words for a book, say ‘The Tropical Home Gardener’s Guide’. All I need is an interested publisher? Thanks to you, my loyal readers, (keep the questions rolling in); and grateful thanks to Bali Advertiser for providing this forum.
‘A Gold Pass to Heaven?’
Indian mythology claims divine origin for Neem. While Amrita (ambrosia/elixir of immortality) was being carried to heaven, a few drops fell to earth, landing on the neem tree. It is also claimed that if one person plants three or more neem trees during a lifetime, it is a surefire entry to Heaven.
The word Neem is derived from the Sanskrit Nimba, which means ‘bestower of good health’. (Indonesian name – Mindi) It is any easy, fast-growing tree once established, and prospers in a wide variety of situations – some of which are most inhospitable. During its first year however it does require a little TLC – after that it can be left to look after itself.
Climatic conditions: Its favored climate is the arid tropics such as found in East Bali. It needs plenty of sun and will not thrive in dense shade. Tropical and sub-tropical climates are preferred, but it will also grow in places where the overnight low can reach 0°C. It will also grow quite well in altitudes up to 1,500 meters. It cannot withstand long periods of extreme cold. It also tolerates shade temperatures of up to 49°C.
Mindi has a long taproot and sends out strong laterals. It can withstand long periods without rain if there is underground water it can tap into. It is planted along the southern fringe of the Sahara desert as it is known to arrest desertification. Neem has the ability to restore deserts through its soil-water-holding capacity and to render such soils fertile through its fallen leaves, twigs etc.
Indian indentured laborers carried the tree with them to Fiji, Mauritius and the Caribbean. It is now well-established in the Middle East and South America, and has recently been introduced to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, China, Philippines. Exploratory plantings have been made in the USA (Florida,Hawaii), Brazil and Australia.
Soil types/Water needs: Black cotton/red volcanic deep, well-drained soil is the ideal, however it also thrives on stony, shallow soil, even those with a hard, shallow clay pan or calcareous subsoil. It has the unique capacity to sequester calcium, thereby converting acid soils to a neutral pH.
Neem may be grown in areas with yearly rainfall as low as 200-250mm, even less if underground water sources are present. It cannot withstand water-logged and/or poorly drained soils. It may be successfully grown on wasteland and tolerates polluted/saline water. Over time it will restore such land, improving fertility and purifying water.
Maturation: Neem grows slowly in its first year (most of its development during this time taking place underground); after this year it grows rapidly. Young plants cannot tolerate intense shade, frost, excessive cold. It will begin to bear fruit at 3-5 years and comes into full production at 10 years. A mature tree may be expected to bear 30-50kg of fruit annually. As the pulp is rather fibrous, the juices are normally sucked as one does with cashew fruit (jambu mede) and then discarded.
Appearance: A stand alone tree may eventually reach 35-40m – usually 15-20, with spreading branches and a dense roundish or oval crown, reaching a diameter of 15-20m. Normally evergreen, but may lose some/all of its leaves during extended periods of drought/cold.
The relatively short, straight trunk can reach a diameter of 1.2m. Whitish-grey or reddish-brown, hard bark is fissured/scaly. Leaves are compound (many leaflets to the stem) and reddish-purple when young. Small, white, highly-fragrant flowers are borne on drooping panicles, resembling lilac (a common name is Indian Lilac).
Caution: No single part of Neem is toxic – quite the reverse – however it strongly resembles a cousin Melia azaderach, commonly known as the Chinaberry. All parts of this tree are highly toxic! Chinaberry is readily identifiable by its pinkish-mauve flowers and medium-bead-sized, hard, yellow fruits.
Obtaining Neem: Neem is easily grown from seed. After Gunung Agung’s last eruption (1964), its eastern slopes were virtually scoured of all vegetation. Birds and animals (fruit bats esp.) also like eating Neem fruits. Those excreted (together with a generous dollop of fertilizer) over this area, germinated and grew well, so there are a number of naturally occurring stands of Neem. The usual seed-raising methods apply.
I read recently that the Ministry of Forestry recently supplied some (700 - 900?) trees to East Balinese residents. A phone call to their office may well reveal their source of Neem saplings.
Please send all your gardening questions to
E-mail: gardendoctor08@yahoo.com
