In an engaging event held on October 20 in Pasadena, California, renowned horticulturists gathered to share their expertise with the local Asian community. Among them were the well-known horticultural master “Hua Ge” (Hsu Hsi-sheng) and the “Honey King” Li Li-yuan. Hua Ge took the opportunity to demonstrate grafting techniques and pruning secrets on site, while attendees also had access to booths selling fruit tree seedlings and gardening tools at cost prices.
Organizer Chen Shi-mei expressed, “Hua Ge’s gardening classes are immensely popular among the Chinese community. However, his teachings typically take place in the eastern regions, making it difficult for residents of San Gabriel to attend.” To bridge this gap, she offered her venue, inviting Hua Ge and several other Southern California gardening experts for an interactive experience with neighbors.
The event kicked off at 10 AM and quickly became a bustling hub of activity, with a large crowd filling the yard. More than ten booths showcased a variety of quality seedlings, including wax apples, guavas, and passion fruits, drawing many visitors eager to make purchases.
Among the highlights was Li Li-yuan, who brought his specially cultivated “Black Pearl Wax Apples.” This high-yield variety caught the attention of many attendees as he shared valuable tips on growing them. He explained that covering the branches of the wax apple plant with a 55-gallon plastic bag could help combat nighttime and winter temperatures. Furthermore, Li revealed his secret to increasing the yield of “Black Pearl Wax Apples” using a technique involving ring-barking and high-pressure grafting—a method that involved selecting long branches, making small holes, and injecting a small amount of saltwater to boost fruit production.
Hua Ge also demonstrated grafting techniques for mango and loquat trees, as well as the pruning methods for wax apples and lychee trees. Using the mango tree as an example, he illustrated the process from branch selection to grafting. He emphasized that proper pruning and grafting are essential for the health and yield of fruit trees, providing techniques that can promote optimal growth and increased harvests. He also shared insights into the affordable gardening tools he has relied on for years.
