Shade Tee Pees

So I wanted to move my Imbe (Garcinia livingstonei) seedlings last week. And, I needed a way to protect them from full sunlight to give them a chance to get established. I could have built some elaborate structure, but instead I employed a method that I first saw my friend Jay's in-laws use, you can see the pictures here http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/ohiojay/Our%20land%20in%20Thailand/Garden023.jpg. This may be a common practice used in Thailand and Southeast Asia, but I have never seen it used here, and I wanted to share it with you. What I did was cut some dead bamboo out of my stands and stripped them clean. If you don't grow bamboo you can buy bamboo stakes at Home Depot or use straight branches from something that you do grow. I cut them into about eight foot lengths. I used three pieces on each plant at the bottom I have about a three foot diameter. I only drove the bottom of the stakes in about a foot. I pulled the top together and tied it with twine. I covered the "tee-pee" with screening or shade cloth which I tied at the top with some twine, as well. They are very sturdy at this point. Once the plant becomes established I'll be able to remove the "tee-pee" and use it for the next tree I plant out! This little bit of extra attention may be just the boost some of these tropical fruits need to excel!!!