Miss Vivien, Mirliton farm owner and daughter of Papa Sylvest, originator of the variety that bears his name. Base of plant that is 50 years old.
Base of 50-year-old Papa Sylvest mirliton plant with 4”X 4” fence wire to give perspective on vine diameter, Drainage ditch in yard.
Papa Sylvest long trellis. This is about 100 feet long, comprised of plant every 10 feet on both sides.
Miss Vivian says, "If you don't have drainage, you don't have anything." This is so true in South Louisiana where we can get 2 inches of rain a day. Mirlitons simply can't survive that much water, especially plants that are just establishing themselves. Miss Vivian has all her vines situated so that water drains off into shallow ditches around the trellises, where they flow off the property on a natural grade. Here she uses boards and grills as a bridge across the drainage ditch to her vines.
Drainage ditch in yard.
Shallow drainage ditch runs through the front yard.
Buried pvc pipe drains beds
Ground level view. These are very high planting hills (compare to 4"x4" wire mesh).
