Ilchi Lee inspects one of Fanchil’s young trees.
photograph: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
A crop that has never been grown in New Zealand is causing confusion for residents north of Kerikeri.
Capillo’s conversion of a former dairy farm off Highway 10 has sparked much speculation in recent months about what the plant is, who is growing it and why.
It turns out that there is a good reason why even experienced gardeners do not recognize this young tree. The Korean medicinal plant Hwangchil is new to New Zealand.
The trees are grown on a farm purchased by Kerikeri resident Ilchi Lee, who is variously described as an author, businessman and spiritual leader.
A Korean medicinal plant, Hwanchil first appeared in New Zealand.
photograph: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
His business interests in the Bay of Islands are focused on tourism. He is developing an “eco village” on the edge of Puketi Forest west of Kerikeri and owns a motel and holiday resort. But we also have an education center. Kiwifruit orchard and hobby farm for international visitors.
Fanchill Orchard is his first attempt at creating a new industry in Northland.
Fantyl or something Dendropanax morbiferaa shrub native to the Korean Peninsula used in traditional medicine.
Lee is already using Korean-grown phancil to produce skin care products that claim anti-aging effects.
His goal is to use New Zealand-grown fancil in a variety of food products once it receives food safety approval.
Ilchi Lee and Yewon Hwang of NZ Eco Farms. At Fanchil Orchard north of Kerikeri.
photograph: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
NZ Ecofarm director Yewon Huang said 25,000 trees had been planted across seven hectares so far.
She said it took three years to find a way to get biosecurity permits to import the seeds.
The tree was grown in a pot before being planted in the paddock and is now approximately 2 years old.
Mr Huang said growing the trees in New Zealand conditions was a matter of trial and error.
“We’re still learning about how they grow here. We’re always experimenting and learning,” she said.
Kikuyu has proven to be one of their biggest challenges, especially given their reluctance to use chemical sprays.
In Korea, young trees were planted directly into pastures, but Korean growers did not have to consider the vigorous, all-covering Kikuyu grass of Northland.
But the trees themselves don’t require much care, she said.
“They prefer well-drained soils but are not too fussy, so they can be planted on marginal farmland as an additional source of income.”
Ilchi Lee said that in South Korea, the tree grew slowly and was limited to the warm southern coast.
Kiwifruit seems to grow better in New Zealand, which is not at all surprising. Kiwifruit originally comes from Asia and only became a major commercial crop when it was grown in New Zealand.
Mr Lee said New Zealand had the environment, space and growth rate to make the fanchill industry work, but there were also new challenges to overcome.
All parts of the plant can be used, but mostly the leaves are harvested and freeze-dried into a powder.
Lee said there is already demand for Fancil products in South Korea, North America and Europe.
He envisioned creating teas, beverages, supplements, and healthy alternatives to gum, sweets, and biscuits.
He planned to further expand the acreage of phancil and create a “healing park” on a 119-hectare former dairy farm.
Mr Lee said he had applied to NZTA for permission to hold an event on the premises.
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