I must say, I agree with pretty much most of what Pom is doing in Kenya, he seems to have that pioneer spirit that will undoubtedly lead him to success. However, I will say a few words in response to his views on the durian, as it is clear he has no real experience with the fruit. He is mistaken to believe that tools are needed to open one when they are ripe (probably less than for a watermelon!!). Also, I object to his referring to them as being high in fat. I almost feel that when people talk about a fruit as being high in fat, (or sugar, or vitamins or whatever), they are sort of doing the fruit a disservice. It gives me the impression that they don't fully appreciate and understand fruit. But hey, that's just me, and you don't need to take me seriously. Also, there is absolutely no way durian should be considered addictive. Not any more than an enjoyable swim in the river or a chat with friends. I go for months without having them sometimes, and never suffer any withdrawal.
My belief is that all fruits that appeal are good.. Many have voiced similar feelings toward the avocado and the tomato for similar reasons, claiming the first to be too fatty and the 2nd high in nicotine or tomatine or whatever.. I blatantly oppose all such thoughts.. Both are good fruits, and both serve a purpose. Setting up a fruitarian community that gets sustainable as quickly as possible, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini and melons are all essentials in my eyes.. then get the pawpaws, pineapples, bananas and passion-fruit coming on (I don't fully understand Pom's reasoning for only wanting tree fruits either. - passion fruits can assure that your trees are giving fruit even when the season for the trees fruiting is not on!).. I'd want grapes, golden kiwi and many other fruits which don't grow on trees. Strictly speaking, I don't believe a banana plant is botanically classified as a tree either!
I also believe Pom is a little naive about his dream of just sprinkling seeds on the national park.. Frankly at this stage it would be wasted seed, effort, and money, as I know from experience, it is unlikely any would really survive.. You'ld have to have a large nursery and plant out seedlings that are cared for, protected and watered, and although I agree with him that eventually fruit seed may disperse itself and survive, initially that will not be the case. Especially somewhere like Kenya with so many large herbivorous animals roaming around - and no fences!
Anyhow, whatever he chooses to do, I do feel he can succeed, and that he's wise enough to learn what works and what doesn't, and fine tune his plan as he progresses.. Good luck Pom and the rest of the crew!
Don't durians split open on their own when fully ripe? They are very easy to pull apart with your fingers if you just make a little cut in the bottom (I think you showed us that Mango!!) mmm durian.
@parsley, spot on! Actually, when I think about it, I can't really picture any ripe and ready fruit that is overly difficult to get into with ones bare hands..
Compare that to many nuts and the story is very different.. There are probably very few humans strong enough to break into a fresh coconut with their bare hands (I have witnessed someone doing this though!), probably even less that can crack open a macadamia with their teeth or by just use of hands.. the seed is sometimes extremely well protected.. even the bean of the mango is almost impossible to get at with hands alone..
Not that anyone here is suggesting such things should be eaten of course.. I'm just pointing it out is all.
I must say, I agree with pretty much most of what Pom is doing in Kenya, he seems to have that pioneer spirit that will undoubtedly lead him to success. However, I will say a few words in response to his views on the durian, as it is clear he has no real experience with the fruit. He is mistaken to believe that tools are needed to open one when they are ripe (probably less than for a watermelon!!). Also, I object to his referring to them as being high in fat. I almost feel that when people talk about a fruit as being high in fat, (or sugar, or vitamins or whatever), they are sort of doing the fruit a disservice. It gives me the impression that they don't fully appreciate and understand fruit. But hey, that's just me, and you don't need to take me seriously. Also, there is absolutely no way durian should be considered addictive. Not any more than an enjoyable swim in the river or a chat with friends. I go for months without having them sometimes, and never suffer any withdrawal.
ReplyDeleteMy belief is that all fruits that appeal are good.. Many have voiced similar feelings toward the avocado and the tomato for similar reasons, claiming the first to be too fatty and the 2nd high in nicotine or tomatine or whatever.. I blatantly oppose all such thoughts.. Both are good fruits, and both serve a purpose. Setting up a fruitarian community that gets sustainable as quickly as possible, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini and melons are all essentials in my eyes.. then get the pawpaws, pineapples, bananas and passion-fruit coming on (I don't fully understand Pom's reasoning for only wanting tree fruits either. - passion fruits can assure that your trees are giving fruit even when the season for the trees fruiting is not on!).. I'd want grapes, golden kiwi and many other fruits which don't grow on trees. Strictly speaking, I don't believe a banana plant is botanically classified as a tree either!
I also believe Pom is a little naive about his dream of just sprinkling seeds on the national park.. Frankly at this stage it would be wasted seed, effort, and money, as I know from experience, it is unlikely any would really survive.. You'ld have to have a large nursery and plant out seedlings that are cared for, protected and watered, and although I agree with him that eventually fruit seed may disperse itself and survive, initially that will not be the case. Especially somewhere like Kenya with so many large herbivorous animals roaming around - and no fences!
Anyhow, whatever he chooses to do, I do feel he can succeed, and that he's wise enough to learn what works and what doesn't, and fine tune his plan as he progresses.. Good luck Pom and the rest of the crew!
Don't durians split open on their own when fully ripe? They are very easy to pull apart with your fingers if you just make a little cut in the bottom (I think you showed us that Mango!!) mmm durian.
ReplyDelete@parsley, spot on! Actually, when I think about it, I can't really picture any ripe and ready fruit that is overly difficult to get into with ones bare hands..
ReplyDeleteCompare that to many nuts and the story is very different.. There are probably very few humans strong enough to break into a fresh coconut with their bare hands (I have witnessed someone doing this though!), probably even less that can crack open a macadamia with their teeth or by just use of hands.. the seed is sometimes extremely well protected.. even the bean of the mango is almost impossible to get at with hands alone..
Not that anyone here is suggesting such things should be eaten of course.. I'm just pointing it out is all.
mango..
Nice scripture against scriptures but should we relly rely on this one?
ReplyDeleteAnd I would not tell an otter to stop using a rock to feed itself. Would you?