Mango Trees starting to flower

Bkaus · Joined: 31 Jul 2012 Posts: 136 Location: North Phoenix

I haven't looked up if there is anything to help set fruit on a mango tree here in Phoenix. All my Mango trees are sending out flower buds. Would it help to shake the tree each day what is the best time of day. What is the pollinator for the mango? I think I read somewhere it was flies? Last year I only got one mango from my 7 trees because they all got frozen back but no freeze damaged this year Hey!

Thanks
Bruce

myamberdog · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:25 pm Post subject:

Well, Bkaus, I'm not exactly sure how they get fertilized but I think it is bugs, flies, bees, even wind as all mangoes are self-pollinating. I've not heard of shaking the tree, but that couldn't hurt if you didn't do it too roughly.

Mine are in heavy bloom right now in Palm Springs....here's a couple pictures from my yard:

phoenixtropicals · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:45 pm Post subject:

The last couple of years I fertilized them with fish emulsion 5-1-1 and 0-10-10 every other week this time of year and they held their fruit and I got a huge crop. I think it makes a difference. Mix a cap full of each into a gallon of water and pour around the drip line of the tree every one to two weeks. Don't use chemical fertilizers, they seem to burn mango trees in our soil here. Also mulch generously around your trees with lawn clippings etc. Just don't pile the green mulch more than a couple of inches deep or too close to the trunk because it can get hot as it breaks down. I don't like the home depot compost. It seems too salty. Just use your yard clippings. Good luck.

phoenixtropicals · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:46 pm Post subject:

I don't do anything to pollinate the flowers. The bees do it and they are self fertile.

teddb86 · Joined: 08 Mar 2016 Posts: 1

I've never heard of shacking the tree to aid pollination. Leave that to the busy bees and other useful pollinators.

myamberdog · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 10:34 am Post subject:

And I've started using Kelp meal with a 1-0-2 ratio as I believe that the last number, the potassium, is a essential for fruit quality and quantity and last year I loaded Rock Phosphate dust around lots of plants to handle the Phosphorous requirement. I just bought some "coop" poop (chicken fert.) which is 2-4-3 so I think I have about the same percentages that you have, PT.....but I do like fish emulsion too....

And yes,I also plan an every-2-week regime of feeding. Every single week just seemed to "UGH!".....

Gary

starch · Joined: 14 Mar 2015 Posts: 49