Another experiment was with plant staking. Up to now we had used dead branches collected in the woods, which had been good enough for the young fruit trees and bushes which had needed extra support in the strong winds of the rainy season. The effects of  the weather and the unwanted attentions of various wood-eating pests .. plus the fact that the branches used were not all exactly straight .. was far from satisfactory, especially with the extra plant growth. Many of the plants were growing at peculiar angles, with the stakes rotten or having been eaten at their bases.

In the UK, we would visit the local garden centre and buy bundles of cheap bamboo canes, which would last for years. In West Africa, plant staking is not the norm and although Bamboo grows quite naturally, to find small canes of the right size in quantity, is nigh on impossible. Plus the multitude of insects which infest the soil .. especially termites .. make short work of any dead vegetable matter.

Whilst buying other items in Serrekunda's hardware stores, I had noticed some 3 metre lengths of UPVC plastic conduit piping .. usually used for carrying electrical wiring. Thoughts occurred that;
a) they would not be of edible interest to insects b) would not rot or rust c) were flexible and would not break in strong winds and c) they were very reasonably priced at D25 (50 pence) each - first price !

Using a hacksaw to cut the plastic stakes to the length required and tying the plants to the stakes with some plastic coated wire which I had at last remembered to bring from the UK .. plant staking was never easier. Below are some of the line of Guava trees .. being newly trained into straighter and more upright positions. Time will tell if this 'brainwave' is truly successful !!