The Tropical Fruit Forum

This Gold Nugget was planted almost 11 years ago, and I didn't know enough to pay attention to the roots at the time.

2 years ago, I noticed the smaller one crossing to the left, so cut that off, but I really should have cut it all the way back despite it already having merged with the lower root.  At this point, should I try to dig it out still?  Any options on the bigger one to the right of it going straight down?

Trying to identify the issue and possible remedies.  Haven't seen this before, but the trees have just started fruiting for the last 3 years, and haven't had many fruit till now.  Sunken areas are dry & stiff rather than mushy.  Would guess more of a scab than a rot, but my google-fu isn't turning up any matching images.  Not seeing any major issues on the foliage.  A few burnt tips here and there. 

This looks like it may be starting on some other fruits

Not the best timing, but will be flying into Miami 7/31 and heading ultimately to Key West.  I've got that first weekend to try to gather as many mangoes as possible.  Given our Cali import restrictions, we haven't tried very many types of mangoes really, so hoping to develop some snobbiness on this trip.  Wish we could have come in earlier in the season, but beggars can't be choosers.  Only been to Orlando once before for the parks, off-season, so I have no idea of the area really.

We arrive early Friday morning, so driving straight up to Palm Beach to try to visit Tropical Acres & the Zills, and Excalibur?.  Probably staying in South Beach, although that's flexible.  Weekend is open, but will visit the Spice Park one of those days, plus if there's anything else notable in the Homestead area.  Then on to the Keys.

I actually have a chance to layover at MIA on the 14th, and was wondering where I might be able to buy any of the mangoes I can only read about.

I've been out of the hunt for a bit, but we're almost done rebuilding our house and it is almost time to get back to the garden.

Space is limited but I'm hoping to put in 7 trees at ~8' spacing.  We're less than 2 miles from the beach, but we're at the very bottom of an east facing slope, so we get several days of frost every year, although I haven't checked the actual temps for those days yet.  Stone fruits do really well in the neighborhood.  The marine layer sends us fog regularly, and it isn't often when it will break 80F like right now.  I've tried a Manila, and PIN Edward and Carrie.  Edward and Carrie didn't make it past their first winter.  The Manila is 5 yrs old now, but the winter of '12 killed the main trunk, so now it's just a tuning fork but it's still trying to carry fruit.   I'm not sure if it'll ever be able to heal over the exposed stump in the center, so thinking of digging it out and replanting another.  I also lost a young Hass avocado that winter, but I still have a Gold Nugget mandarin, Calamondin, White Indian guava, and big box Ice Cream banana.  I also have a few potted random mango seedlings about 3 yrs old that don't get any special handling, more for container growing practice, and maybe grafting practice at some point.

What mango varieties might I have the best chances with?  I'm concerned that even if I could get fruit, would they even taste good enough given the lack of heat.  We did put in a lot more pavement in the yard this time, so hopefully that helps with getting more heat.  And this time, I plan on putting up a temporary greenhouse, at least during the first few winters, to jumpstart them, if I can avoid DW's wrath.  I'm finalizing an order of some of Tim Thompson's mangos which seem hopeful.  Current picks are Tequila Sunrise, Gold Coast, PineApple, and Starburst.  The volume pricing is only a little bit more, so anyone interested in joining this order, or is there an open group order still around?

Also, any avocado recommendation?  I was going to try a Mexicola, but debating on whether to give it up for another mango chance.

Thanks,
Gerald