HEy Mike,
BRAG AWAY BUDDY! You deserve it! I have to say, I have been growing(or trying to grow) tropical fruit trees for about 3 years now. In my opinion, citrus(even though there not considered tropical fruits), my citrus are 10x's harder to grow than the majority of my tropical fruit trees.

In the 2 years that you have had these trees, you obviously learned how to keep there roots happy(root rot has been a HUGE problem for me...well until learned about the gritty mix..THANKS AL!), to keep harmfull pests away, and to keep them fed. I hope that you will get to enjoy the fruits of your labor very soon. Maybe you can get a lemon, or a few limes this summer.

I wish you the best of luck, and thanks again for the pics!

I am hoping to post pics of my new additions soon.

Andrew

Thanks andrew. These three seem to be happy no matter what I do or dont do to them. I did let each one hold onto 1 fruit all last year just because i was eager to try them. I was not disappointed. Ill probably let these guys just focus on growth this year especially if I can talk the larger trees into making a good crop.

mike

There is much to brag about!

The fact that you have kept them alive and happy all this time is in itself a huge accomplishment!
You have learned well here and have applied what you need to do in order to keep them looking as good as they do.

I love seeing your pictures.

Great job Mike

Hello Andrew and I can't wait to see how yours are. I have been pretty sick these days so pictures like these make my day:-)

Mike

Thanks Mike

I owe a lot to the wonderful people here. Ill get more pics of the others soon. Our weather is warming up nicely so I should be able to get them all out more. The key lime on the right got a bit thin this winter, Im hoping it leafs out good this spring. Right now its blooming its tail off.

Im sorry to hear you are sick. Something is going around here. Seems like everyone I know has come down with this virus that puts you down for a few days.

get well soon!

Mike

Very nice, Mike! Did you graft these trees yourself? They look so healthy and full. Well done.

And to our other Mike, Meyer Mike, sorry to hear you're under the weather! My gosh. You've had your run ins with your health these last 10 to 12 monthw. Hope you're feeling better really soon. Miss you on the forum.

Patty S.

good job, they look great

Thanks Patty, Houston

No I didnt graft these, I bought them from lowes a couple years ago. I do have 2 lemon seedlings that are about 3 years old now that I may try my luck with grafting. Honestly they are healthier and more tough than any of my grafted trees.

heres a few more that got to come out.

mango seedling 1.5 yrs old, would love to try and graft this one.
{{gwi:562584}}
avocado seedling 1.5 yrs old
{{gwi:562585}}
Fukushu Kumquat, this one just bloomed a ton, hoping to get something to eat of it.
{{gwi:562586}}

our highs are getting into the 60's and 70's with lows at night not much less than 40 so for awhile I should be able to keep them out. My plumeria, pineapple, and bananas are staying in the greenhouse. My larger citrus are out also but they arent very photogenic right now, LOL

Mike

All looks just lovely, Mike. Well done. And your temps are like ours now, in Calif. Except this week, of course, as we're freezing here. Got to about 38 last night, and supposed to be as low or lower tonight as this northern storm we had come through yesterday blows through. No cloud cover tonight, so temps will be lower, but the good thing is we got about an inch of rain. And, temps are going back up to the 70's over the weekend, yea!

Patty S.

Oh Patty! Thank you for caring. I have been so sick. I hope I get better soon. I wanted to say that I am still reading a lot though and this place would never be the same without you. Please, don't go anywhere since you make my day and teach me so much:-)
Enjoy you're weather my friend!

Mike: I wouldn't even think about leaving those plants outside until your temps consistently stay above the 50's . Container and ground temps are so much different on the roots.
If you could take a reading of the temps in the ground and see if they are above 55, you could bury your pots if you want them to stay out that bad:)

Now if should decide to leave them outside above ground in pots, watch for yellowing of leaves since they will not take up nutrition at those temps. They will also slow down in growth very much and dry out a lot slower. Watch for root rot my friend.

They look terrific Mike and I have yet to get a Mango tree! You are doing a great job and hats off to you.

Mike:-)))

You know you are right mike. I shouldnt leave them out below 50. I built that table right next to my greenhouse so moving them isnt a big chore anymore. their summer shelf is on the whole other side of the yard and moving every night gets old quickly.

Just go buy a mango and plant the seed, LOL even if the fruit one day is terrible they still make a pretty tree.

mike

VERY Nice Mksmth...they're growing great. I love you mango seedling, very pretty tree, definitely a great idea grafting something some great tasting variety on that seedling. I LOVE Mango!

And for the other Mike (my buddy) YES, you really need to get a Mango tree,lol...ASAP!

Here's mine and its just starting to bloom...
{{gwi:562587}}

Nice growth on those citrus trees, Mike, & loving your mango and avocado trees, too. Very well done indeed! Do you know how tall the mango & avocado will get in a pot? Are there such thing as dwarf versions of these?

MeyerMike, hope you're better soon. If its a flu, I was reading the other day that flu season is delayed this year due to the warmer than usual winter.

Tim

Hey, Thanks Tim and Patty for your thoughfulness. I hope this better feeling today lasts:-0)
Tim, goodness, I hope not the flu:-(

Patty, feeling is mutual. I am so happy we have met here:-)

Nancy!!!!It's all your fault that everytime I put a Mango on the back burner, I want to get one.lol. Then I have Andrew to push me even further.
Goodness you are doing such a great job on that tree! Is there anyway you could send me one or two hidden in a UPS box?lol

Look at all those fruit! Save me some when I come for my visit, ok? Goodness, just beautiful my friend!!!!!
Hey, how's the Pug these days anyhow? He belongs in the pic too you know.

Mike.....* I have question? Did you transfer those trees out of clay into plastic pots? Why? I do love the looks of them too.

Mike

Hey Mike

ya I went with plastic on the last re-pot basically because of money. I do love the look and the heft of clay. Lord knows that here in Oklahoma with our wind we need all the weight we can get to keep things upright. One of my favorite nurseries has a container re-sell bin where any container is $0.25. I couldnt pass up the opportunity to save a few dollars.

Nancy

Ill probably buy a named mango this summer and maybe graft this one. I did "pug" it last summer and it branched nicely.

How long does it take for the trunk to stiffen up. It seems like this one could be tied in a knot without breaking.

Mike

MeyerMike,lol...those are just flowers...hundreds of them but I'm lucky to get one of them to actually turn into fruit! Mango are notorious for blooming thousands of tiny little flowers but very few (if any) actually make it all the way through :o(...keep me posted when you finally buy one! I think Pickering is the one you want, nice dwarf size.
I'm looking for one myself,lol...it should do well in a container.

Mksmth, You did a really nice job with the "pug"...It takes a few years to get a nice thick trunk. I've had that potted mango just a little over 5 years. I bought it in a 3 gallon pot and its in a 25" pot now.

Lololol! Nancy, in my minds eye I saw the one you posted a year ago full of fruit! lol. I never saw the one you posted above. Now for kickers, will you post that nice one I fell in love with FULL of fruit here for me. I think Mike would like to se that one too.lol

Nancy, can you see me lugging around a 25 inch pot now? lol
I have heard the 'Pickering' is the one.

I hope you have a great night. Mom and I send much love!

Mike, plastic looks just as nice. I find it does have an advantage though. It is easier to feel by weight whether it needs watering or not. It will weigh as light as a feather, but for get your winds.lol

I wouldn't pass up pot for 25 cents either. Mike, what about those tornados? Are you in Tornado alley? Good grief!

Mike

Very nice trees guys!

I posted pics of my Loquat and Avocado trees in my topic just a bit ago.

I love Mangoes too. The fruit of India! Great when eaten with peaches, oranges or pineapple...or all three.

~Annie

Mike youre right. tornado season will ramp up here in a month or two. Fortunately for me I live a couple miles east of the arkansas river and for whatever reason tornadoes dont like to jump the river. It seems like they head this way then die off. Im knocking on wood as I write that. Today is going to be a very warm day, almost 80, but with the warmth comes the winds. Out of the south 15-20 mph. Thats one advantage of the gritty mix's weight. I noticed in another thread you are expecting snow today. Man I feel for you and praying to push some heat your way.

Mike

Aw...

Thanks Mike! I have been hearing it is suppose to be in teh 60's here by next week! I pray it does not signal a ***COLD*** summer to make up for all the warmth all winter. If that is the case, I am moving south for sure!
I all my perennials and shrubs bloom early Mike, it would take just one frigid cold snap to wipe them all out, especially the Apple and other fruit tree blossoms.

By the way. I got a bot lazy about spraying my plants at work and my Ponderosa had so many spider mite webs, it took me an hour to clean it off and spray! So frustrating Mike. All because I brought in a Marigold planted in teh same pot. Never again man! I can't wait for spring to get them out and let the natural predators have their way and a fresh spray of FE every week!

80 today!! Lucky you my friend:-)

Annie...I don't think Mike saw your post! I will say thanks for him and the others since they acknowledges everyones visit here.
I can't believe you live in his home sate. Mike another Oklahomian here:-)

It's nice to meet you and please keep coming back.

Mike

MeyerMike,lol...I can totally NOT see you lugging a 25" pot...NO way! I can't do it either...so it just gets covered in the winter and cross my fingers... we have a Dolly if we really have to move it! NOT an easy task.

I keep forgetting you can't see pictures from your work computer,lol...

Here's the picture of my fruiting mango tree I think you're asking about.
{{gwi:562589}}

Hi Annie, I saw your pictures from your post...I love your Avocado and Loquat! Great looking trees. I planted a Loquat in the ground about a year and a half ago and its one tree I didn't have to protect/heat/cover during the winter...I love this tree! Of course I'm in Central FL we're a LOT milder than you in OK...with only getting in the mid to upper 20's a few days a year (luckily).

pug-lover,

did you buy your Mango or grow it from seed?
I love Mangoes, and am going to grow one.
I've got two kinds of Kumquat seeds to plant too.
(Fingers crossed that they will grow.)

Thanks for the Welcome Wagon everyone.
I love this forum!
I am a long-time regular on the Cottage Garden forum, but I will be coming here too from now on.

~Annie

Welcome Annie!

As you can tell, when it is slow here at work, I love to spend my time hanging around this forum to keep my mind busy and to keep me from falling asleep.
lol
It is a dark and dreary day here, just a day after the the sunny 50's, now 32 and snowing all day. I hate it!

Nancy/Pug, ordered those as grafted I think. If you were to grow from seed, it would take YEARS to get any kind of flower at all. Arn't they just lovely? I am getting one this spring if I can find just someone that has been able to grow fruit this far up north.

I am still waiting for reports from Andrew here, a very good member and friend that has been trying to get me to buy one for over a year. I may have some luck now that I have a greenhouse setup!

It is great to meet you. You will have a fun time here with many great people, altough every once in a while it does slow down. I try to prevent that though:-)

Do you like other type plants, other than Citrus, which of course is my no#1?

Mike

Hey annie

yes thank you for your comments mike was right I didnt notice your post. I visit the Oklahoma forum here also. There are some very wonderful and intelligent people who really know our weather and what we can a cant grow.

Nancy
I have always loved seeing that tree. Im going to be driving to Tampa this June, I know I cant bring out citrus but do you know of anywhere around there that would have mango trees?

Mike

Pug!!! Nancy!!! That's the one.lol
For some reason, I just can't get my mind of your tree.

It was this tree that got the ball rolling for me, and I think Andrew too. Even though you are my enabler, I still love ya! I can't believe all that fruit and the size of that tree in that pot! How do you do it?

Yeah, yeah, many will say it's the Florida sun, but I think it is your green thumb at best too. I wish you would mail me one.lol

What's it like down there in Palmville? 80? I wish I was there right now. My space heater will have to do for now I guess:0(

Thanks Nancy for posting this beauty of a tree!

Mike

Hi Annie, Mike is right. I bought that tree grafted, its a Glenn. I have to prune it every year to keep it semi under control as its not a dwarf variety.

I'm not familiar with Tampa...but I'm sure there is at least one or two nurseries that sell grafted mango trees there, there is a place in St. Pete called Jene's tropicals that is appx. an 30 miles away. Here's their website:
Jene's Tropicals

Here's another one that's located in Seffner, FL appx. 20 miles from Tampa. I've never been there before though.
Kerby's Nursery

Here's a list of some Tampa Nurseries...maybe one or two of them might sell Mango trees...
List of Tampa Nurseries

MeyerMike, Thanks! You are my hero along with all you guys that grow plants up North! You guys have to deal with SO many challenges growing plants. Many obstacles and weather issues to deal with. All you guys that grow plants up North really deserve a HUGE pat on the back! You all have such AWESOME plants!! Keep up all your hard work!

Its been mid to upper 80's already Mike...I'm afraid what the summers are going to be like here maybe 110 degrees??...YIKES!! I might have to go to MI just to cool off a bit,lol...

Hi guys,
Mike I hope your feeling better! i just wanted to chime in on the mango seedling reaching fruition. I have heard 4-7 years but can't swear buy it.

My Maha chinook mango is now around 6ft tall and 4ft wide, and yes, there are dwarf mango varieties. Nancy mentions 'Pickering' which I think I will buy sometime this summer, hopefully, I can find one when we go down to FL this summer for the 4th of July. I cant wait and I am hoping to make it to Harry's house so I can go on a mango tasting...YUMMY!

Nothing like fresh tree ripened mango! Oh BTW....my 'Star Ruby' grapefruit is now loading up with all these tiny bloom clusters. Yeah I know there are people still waiting on pics.

Andrew

Hey Andrew...Good luck with your Maha! Sounds like its growing well for you. I know you're ready to taste some fruits, soon I hope.

Mksmth, Please let us know if you get a chance to pick up a Mango tree this summer. In case you didn't see it, I've posted a few links (couple of post above) of nurseries in the tampa area. Hope you find one there.

Good morning from northern California, everyone!

Mike, your trees are looking great. Congrats! I hope you're recovering nicely.
I caught a nasty Flu about a month ago (Jan. 28th), and I'm still getting over it.
This is actually the first time that I've stopped back at the Citrus Forum, and I'm
playing catch up to see what all has been happening here!

Andrew, Mike, Patty, Nancy, Houston, Tim...good to see you.
Welcome, Annie, too! :-)

Josh

Hi Josh,

You've been missed! Nice to see you back and glad to hear you're recovering from that pesky flu that's been going around.

Just got in from my FE spraying (aka "bath" LOL) of my in-ground citrus. Doing everything I can early to keep the pests at bay, particularly from my new baby Gold Nugget. Oh, also MeyerMike and I are doing an experiment on my potted Meyer to get the leaf canopy to fill in better/more fully.

Tim

Hey Mike,
I have personnaly been to Kirby's. I thought that there prices were fair but I was told after that they were expensive. I did like there selection of tropical fruits. I went there in June and for mango they only had Cogshall and nam Dac mai.

Andrew

Josh, good to see you back! And you must have been hanging around Mike! You two guys. You had better be getting your flu shots every year. The ONE year I didn't get it (and I was working at the hospital at the time, stupid me), I got the flu. That was many years ago when I was a lot younger, but I was SO sick. The night my husband had to carry to the the bathroom I thought to myself, "My gosh, this is how old people die of the flu, no wonder." Never again. Have not missed a flu shot since. I never want to be that sick, again.

Now, to be more on topic, Puglvr, your Mango tree is gorgeous!! My little Valencia Pride is still only about 18" tall, sigh. In the ground and it's a wee bit on the cold side for it, but it's pushing out new growth and flower buds, so maybe it will shoot up this year for me.

Patty S.

Hey Josh...that nasty flu is going around. I've been lucky so far and haven't gotten it. You guys take care of yourselves. Feel better soon!

Hi Tim...do you have any buds on your Citrus now and the FE spray you're using , is it safe to spray directly on the blooms? Is it Toni's (hopefulauthor's) recipe? I need to find it unless you have it handy...Thanks!

Hi Patty...if the tree is getting at least several hours of direct sun I'm sure it will grow soon enough. Congrats on your new growth and flower buds...Thanks for the nice comments on my Mango tree. This year I think I'm going to have very few on this tree, it has very few blooms this year :o(...but I did repot it last summer so its probably concentrating on roots.

Good morning, Nancy!

I have to start by saying I REALLY love that picture of your fruiting mango (mangos, lychee, and jackfruit [and citrus, of course!] are probably my favorite fruit)!

Yes it is Toni's recipe and I've had no problems spraying on my Meyer lemon trees, orange, and mandarin, some in both leaf bud and flower. I'm applying (mine is Alaska brand) with a sprayer at the rate of 2 Tbsp/gal of water. I'm lazy and have been doing every 2 weeks, but MeyerMike and Josh (and I'm sure others) are spraying every week. I'll move to this frequency if I need to.

Tim

Nancy,

I stand corrected - Toni's recipe calls for 1-capful of FE per gal of lukewarm or room temp water. I've included the link below.

So, I'm using quite a bit more (which is probably why my yard smells particularly fishy(!), but don't care as long as it wards off bad bugs) with still no detrimental effects, and probably a good thing as I'm applying less frequently. I think I may have gotten my dosage from reading a post from Josh... So, it seems you can get away with using less. Cheers!

Tim

Here is a link that might be useful: Toni's FE & bug repellent recipes

Thanks for the warm welcome, Tim, Patty, and Nancy!

I work at a high school, and so I'm exposed to everything the season has to offer!
Next year, I'm seriously considering a Flu shot....

My citrus aren't blooming, but I did spray them about two weeks ago with Fish Emulsion.
Before that, I sprayed with Neem. I've been alternating, and I'm due for a Neeming soon.

Tim, many of my Moro leaves were frozen off this winter, which left bare spots on some
branches. But now that the sun is able to strike those interior branches, new growth
is erupting from all of those nodes.

Josh

Josh, did I speak correctly that you use FE at the above dilution? If not then I don't know where the heck I read that (LOL)!

I'm sorry to hear about your Moro. But I know that with the great care you give your trees it'll be back to looking fantastic again in no time!

And yes, we should all heed Patty's advice on the flu shot. When I started my first Biotech job many years ago, after being on the job for only two weeks, I caught a flu that knocked me out for 2 1/2 weeks. It hurt to even open my eyes! From then on, I've gotten the flu shot every single year and have luckily never had another case.

Tim

Awww, thanks Pug! You are my hero when it comes to growing anything but weeds! Great job and always an ecouragement!

Andrew, That sounds so great. Like I said, when you get just one to fruit and can say it is fresh and sweet, I am with you pal! lol

Mike, it's time to start another thread on March pic updates. I will start it and I would love to see your beautiful trees again:-)

Josh, that is GREAT news to see all that new growth! I deliberatly stirp mine bare, those that need to fill in nicely that is and I am amazed at the come back of fresh growth and in a much fuller fashion. I am sorry about the frost Josh. Yikes!

Patty!! I was bad and luckily no Flu yet! You are such a caring nurse and helped me to get back on my feet. Now, I just have to avoid the flu which seesm to be working thus far. Now, I am beginning to think it's allergies much earlier than usual. Thanks so much:-)

I usually use about a half an ounce per 1 quart spray bottle which works well for me.

Mike, more pics?

Mike

Hey, guys!

Mike, it wasn't frost...it was a hard freeze that damaged the leaves, 19F on several different nights.
But that was more than a month ago and I've removed most of the ugliest leaves at this point. If I can
keep the trees safe from any additional overnight freezes, the new growth should be lush and full!

Tim, I don't think you read about that Fish Emulsion dose from me. I use a heavy dose, something
much closer to Mike's recipe. I use a spray bottle that's a little over a quart, and I dump in about
a tablespoon or two of Fish Emulsion.

Well, folks, I'm headin' out back to fertilize my trees. I dragged them out of the cold-frame
as soon as the temps were above 60F, and I've been waiting for the containers to warm up a bit.
I think they're ready now...it's about 70F in the sun :-)

Josh

Thanks Tim! Appreciate the recipe and the link. I think Mango is my most favorite fruit, thanks for the nice comments on my tree...Citrus is definitely in the top 5!

Thanks for your recipes too Mike and Josh! Neem and FE seems to be safe to use around citrus blooms...good to hear.

Mike (mksmth),

Your trees are amazing! I'm from OK too so I can definitely relate with you on the unpredictable weather and violent wind gusts.

I have a question for you. On one of your posts, you mentioned Home Depot and some nursery in Tulsa that carry plumeria plants. Could you tell me which ones because I'm considering taking a trip up there one day and check them out. :)

Hey k2. Thanks for the comments. Its nice to meet others who deal with our wonderful Oklahoma weather. For the last 2 years all the homedepots here have carried NOID plumeria starting about may/june. Southwood nursery at 91st and Lewis had about a dozen of Jungle Jacks plumeria in several different types. I think it was about june when they had them. Im planning to run by there next week and ill ask them if they plan to get more this year. I don't think too many people knew what they were so they sat unsold for awhile. I got mine half off because they sat so long.
Mike

Hi Mike

Thanks so much for the info! Could you update me on what you'll find out from Southwood's plumeria stock availability this year?

They just opened a 10 acre nursery here in the city with 14,000 sq ft of green house space. I'm definitely going there soon to see what they have lol talking about an addiction for planting and gardening.

Here is a link that might be useful: OKC Tony's tree plantation

hi guys!
wanted some answers plz guide.
here is photo of my newly bought grafted mango tree .since i bought this 4m local vendor even he doesn't which variety they belong to or how tall will theses tree grow. He just told me that they will give fruits after 1 year.
so my question is
1. r these grafted
2.which variety r they
3. will they grow in pots
Thanks! plz help

{{gwi:562592}}

">

Well you will have better luck in the tropical fruits forum, the people over there grow a lot of mango.

I can say this.

They are grafted and very, very, very poorly done. The soil they are in looks like concrete and need to be changed. you will have no idea what kind they are until they fruit, and thats if they live long enough.

Mike

Wow! Those mango grafts look like they were strangled! Im not trying to be rude but thats a good example of why not to use string instead of grafting tape. Grafting tape (You know the green stuff) expands with the new growth. It looks like the veins of that tree are ruined. I hope they survive. Good luck :-)