Looi has grape success in orchard

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KUANTAN: Love grapes? Now you can grow them in your backyard and even make your own wine, according to a retired doctor.

Datuk Dr Looi Hoong Wah, 65, has successfully grown two types of grapes the colombard and blackcurrant in his orchard at Jalan Kuantan-Sungai Lembing.

The former consultant physician said the grape plants that bear fruit two to three times a year require minimum cost and thrive well without any fertilisers.

Green fingers: Looi showing the grapes he succesfully grew in his orchard at Jalan Kuantan-Sungai Lembing in Kuantan.

“You just need to build a simple trellis to support the climbing plants,” he said when met at his orchard.

“Water the plants once a day and they will flower and bear fruit within 110 days. New shoots will grow a month after the leaves are pruned,” he added.

Dr Looi, 65, began growing grapes about five years ago, experimenting with a wide variety before discovering the two types.

“I went through a series of trial and error. You just need to find the right one that can adapt to the country's climate,” he shared, adding that there were more than 50,000 varieties of grapes in the world.

Dr Looi said the grapes, which are sweet, are resistant to several kinds of fungi that normally destroy grapevines.

He showed several bunches of plump-looking colombard grapes which he said were about 50 days old and still sour.

“When ripe, the fruits will turn golden-yellowish and sweet. These can be processed into wine or eaten fresh.”

On whether the fertile soil in Sungai Lembing and cooler weather were more suitable for grapes, Dr Looi pointed out that his older brother who lives in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, had also successfully grown blackcurrants.

“The fruits are doing just fine in hot Penang weather,” said Dr Looi who hails from Pulau Tikus, Penang.

He believed that the plants could be cultivated commercially and the vineyards turned into tourist attractions.

“I wonder why our farmers do not grow these two types of grapes. Those who have tried and failed could have used varieties that required too much effort, trouble and money. It is a pity to see them closing shop after spending millions to grow the fruits.”

Dr Looi said his brother introduced him to the colombard seedlings which he planted in front of his house in the orchard.

On whether he would commercialise his efforts, Dr Looi said he grew fruit trees for fun.

“I worked for 14 years with the government and another 14 years with a specialist hospital. Now, I enjoy doing what I like best, tending to my fruit trees and seven dogs,” said Dr Looi who also has durians, longans, lychees, dokongs, langsats and rambutans in his 0.5ha orchard.