The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: fisherking73 on January 12, 2015, 03:55:09 PM

Title: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: fisherking73 on January 12, 2015, 03:55:09 PM

My lemon meringue (planted last year) had seemed pretty dormant as well as my cogshall I planted last year with it. This week the lemon went crazy and the cogshall starting to show some signs of progress.  Lemon has some small black spots, assuming or possibly Anthracnose?? question is should I spray this copper solution? If so just enough to moist leaves and do it weekly, monthly until the fruit arrives? Tried searching but could not find specifics.(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/pier_afficionado/20150112_1119371.jpg)
 (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pier_afficionado/media/20150112_1119371.jpg.html)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/pier_afficionado/20150112_1120121.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pier_afficionado/media/20150112_1120121.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/pier_afficionado/20150112_1120321.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pier_afficionado/media/20150112_1120321.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/pier_afficionado/20150112_1121221.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pier_afficionado/media/20150112_1121221.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Patrick on January 12, 2015, 04:22:38 PM

If you can smell the blooms you'd probably be best to wait until fruit set, if not they haven't opened yet! Hit em quick!

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Guanabanus on January 12, 2015, 08:26:38 PM

Unless the label prohibits it, you can add wettable Sulfur to the Copper Soap, to greatly increase effectiveness against Powdery Mildew.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: GrassFlats on January 12, 2015, 10:29:16 PM

Southern Ag has a liquid copper fungicide, the label states to spray when the pannicles are 2" in length every two weeks until fruit set and then monthly until harvest.  I also use Plant Doctor every 2 weeks after the pannicles show up. 

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: bsbullie on January 12, 2015, 10:42:57 PM

As Patrick said,  spray before flowers open and then not again till fruit set.  Do not spray on open flowers.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: GrassFlats on January 12, 2015, 11:08:16 PM

So go against the label instructions Rob?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: bsbullie on January 12, 2015, 11:18:05 PM

Quote from: GrassFlats on January 12, 2015, 11:08:16 PM

So go against the label instructions Rob?

To a degree, yes..  You will have better fruiting results refraining from spraying on the open flowers.  Not sure I agree with the aggressive amount of applications as a protocol, instead take it on a case by case basis.  Also, depending on the varieties you are growing,  applications of sulfur to prevent/treat powdery mildew could be of as much of an importance as spraying with the copper.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: fisherking73 on January 12, 2015, 11:40:29 PM

Crapolla, time to refresh my botany from college LOL  So copper protects against fungus but not powdery mildew, need the sulfur for that? Thanks for the tips.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: GrassFlats on January 12, 2015, 11:56:12 PM

In all seriousness, what harm could come from spraying copper on flowers of the mango tree?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: bsbullie on January 13, 2015, 03:47:28 AM

I think you are misunderstanbing.  Mango "flowers" as a whole or the spike is a pannicle or inflorescence.  Its not that spraying the pannicle or entire inflorescence that is bad, its spraying when the small individual flowers on the inflorescence  are at a stage of open flowers that should be avoided.  What harm could it cause?  It can reduce or prevent the flowers from setting fruit if sprayed when the flowers or florets are at their open stage.  What i am recommending  is spraying the pannicle before the florets open, halting the process while the florets are at their open stage which is when pollination occurs,  and then spraying again after you see the small fruit set (at the little green "bb" stage).  The amount and frequency of spraying can be determined by you local weather or specific variety that may have a predisposition to getting anthracnose.


You dont have to listen or follow these recommendations however we are giving advice from experience.  There are some growers who never spray copper ad have tremendous production,  it depends on location.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: zands on January 13, 2015, 08:29:33 AM

Quote from: GrassFlats on January 12, 2015, 11:56:12 PM

In all seriousness, what harm could come from spraying copper on flowers of the mango tree?

Copper is a serious anti-biological poison. Flowers are too delicate to handle it.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Guanabanus on January 13, 2015, 09:47:54 AM

Don't use Copper and Plant Doctor in the same spray mix.  I haven't tried that, but when a label goes to the trouble of saying not to, it usually means that someone has tried it, to their chagrin.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: fisherking73 on January 13, 2015, 12:59:59 PM

So took a close look, nice fragrance (never have gotten to smell a mango flower in all my years because all the trees I have known are huge, no where near the nose lol) and many little flowers open, gonna pass on the copper just in case. She looks healthy so will just cross my fingers and hope for the best. Not looking for a "bumper" crop but hoping to get around 10 fruits in her first fruiting year!! Cant wait!! The suspense is killing me.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: mangokothiyan on January 13, 2015, 10:59:00 PM

Quote from: Guanabanus on January 12, 2015, 08:26:38 PM

Unless the label prohibits it, you can add wettable Sulfur to the Copper Soap, to greatly increase effectiveness against Powdery Mildew.

Har, is it advisable to add wettable sulfur to a mix of Plant Doctor and Pro-TeKt?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Guanabanus on January 14, 2015, 05:58:54 AM

Plant Doctor label says not to mix it with Copper.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: GrassFlats on January 14, 2015, 09:50:56 AM

This a great thread!  This is why i joined the forum to learn how to get some fresh fruit from those with the experience.  Thanks everyone for the advise.....Now another question: is it safe to spray Plant Doctor on the flowers?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: bsbullie on January 14, 2015, 10:36:57 AM

Quote from: GrassFlats on January 14, 2015, 09:50:56 AM

This a great thread!  This is why i joined the forum to learn how to get some fresh fruit from those with the experience.  Thanks everyone for the advise.....Now another question: is it safe to spray Plant Doctor on the flowers?

I would treat it as the same, not on open florets.  Either before the florets open or after fruit set.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Guanabanus on January 14, 2015, 10:54:39 PM

Or use at a lower concentration ,such as half strength, when spraying on open florets. 
Of course measure carefully--- not the just pour some in routine!  I have seen completely destroyed blooms from such "no time to read labels" routines.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: puglvr1 on February 04, 2015, 07:51:48 AM

I'm noticing powdery mildew on some of my blooms  :'(...some of the blooms are open while others are still closed. If I use half strength will this help or it is too late to spray it with sulphur now?

thanks!!

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Guanabanus on February 04, 2015, 08:48:26 AM

Spray.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: spaceoak on February 04, 2015, 09:15:07 AM

Quote from: zands on January 13, 2015, 08:29:33 AM

Quote from: GrassFlats on January 12, 2015, 11:56:12 PM

In all seriousness, what harm could come from spraying copper on flowers of the mango tree?

Copper is a serious anti-biological poison. Flowers are too delicate to handle it.

I have read that rain on open flowering can wash the pollen away reducing successful pollination of the flowers.  Then it would be logical that spraying any liquid on the flowers could also wash the pollen away.  This is the first article I could find that talk about the problem.  It talks about it about half the way down.  Search for the word rain.

https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mango_ars.html (https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mango_ars.html)

Of course if you have a major problem spraying may save what little was not affected.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: mangomaniac2 on February 04, 2015, 10:08:47 AM

Go ahead and spray open flowers and see what happens. You will find them dried up quickly in day or two. At least that is my experience with spraying copper on open flowers. Maybe this only happens in AZ and CA?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: bsbullie on February 04, 2015, 10:54:04 AM

Quote from: mangomaniac2 on February 04, 2015, 10:08:47 AM

Go ahead and spray open flowers and see what happens. You will find them dried up quickly in day or two. At least that is my experience with spraying copper on open flowers. Maybe this only happens in AZ and CA?

I dont recommend spraying on open flowers if possible.   I would try to spray before the flowers open or after fruit set.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: bsbullie on February 04, 2015, 10:55:05 AM

Quote from: puglvr1 on February 04, 2015, 07:51:48 AM

I'm noticing powdery mildew on some of my blooms  :'(...some of the blooms are open while others are still closed. If I use half strength will this help or it is too late to spray it with sulphur now?

thanks!!

Nancy - are you sure its powdery mildew?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: puglvr1 on February 04, 2015, 01:20:19 PM

I'm pretty sure? What do you think Rob? some of the blooms aren't open yet...I can spray those with sulfur if you think it is PM? How many times and how far apart should I spray it? Thanks again!!
 
(http://s23.postimg.cc/jnid515mf/IMG_5053.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jnid515mf/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/mrt11tmev/IMG_5054.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mrt11tmev/)

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Squam256 on February 04, 2015, 01:25:05 PM

That's definitely powdery mildew

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: puglvr1 on February 04, 2015, 02:40:53 PM

Thanks Squam, that's what I thought  :-X :-X

So...sulfur? any other treatment...not sure who in my are carries that?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: bsbullie on February 04, 2015, 04:22:27 PM

Quote from: puglvr1 on February 04, 2015, 02:40:53 PM

Thanks Squam, that's what I thought  :-X :-X

So...sulfur? any other treatment...not sure who in my are carries that?

You should be able to find wettable sulfur.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: stormin on February 04, 2015, 07:52:59 PM

Quote from: puglvr1 on February 04, 2015, 02:40:53 PM

Thanks Squam, that's what I thought  :-X :-X

So...sulfur? any other treatment...not sure who in my are carries that?

I found some at my local feed store today. Perhaps you can try a feed store in your area?

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: puglvr1 on February 05, 2015, 07:53:15 AM

Thanks Rob and Stormin!

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Guanabanus on February 05, 2015, 08:13:33 AM

Get Kumulus elemental sulfur, from Germany.  It is actually labeled for Mangos, etc.

Available from Peaceful Valley catalog / groworganic.com.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: cbss_daviefl on February 05, 2015, 07:58:30 PM

Har, the Kumulus brand product is no longer listed on groworganic.com. 

There is another product that is labeled for mangos:

http://www.groworganic.com/oid-comm-microthiol-disperss-sulfur-30-lb.html (http://www.groworganic.com/oid-comm-microthiol-disperss-sulfur-30-lb.html)

Looks like it is similar, if not the same.  Instructions and Rate per Acre seem exactly the same.  Just based on a quick google search of Kumulus DF, it appears that BASF is licensing or manufacturing this product.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: Guanabanus on February 05, 2015, 11:04:16 PM

Thanks for the update.

Title: Re: Mango tree questions, too copper or not to copper
Post by: puglvr1 on February 06, 2015, 09:26:47 AM

Thanks Har and Cbss for your help...