Arka Puneet, Sindhu, Sonpari, and Neelkiran (Alphonso X Exotic Mangoes)

[behlgarden]

I am sure there are folks on this forum who have Arka Puneet, Sindhu, Sonpari, and Neelkiran planted in their collection. All these are hybrids of Alphonso X other popular mangoes.  No I am not looking for budwood, but wanted to know if you fruited any of these varieties and how did they perform for you.  From what I read Sonpari and Akra Puneet are two top ones everyone should have, but am yet to hear from anyone in US over their experiences with these exotic varieties.

Arka Puneet: Alphonso and Banganpalli
Sindhu: Ratna x Alphonso (Ratna is Neelam x Alphonso)
Sonpari: Alphonso x Baneshan
Neelkiran: Alphonso and Neelam

[behlgarden]

its funny that no one bothered to respond to this thread, although on gardenweb (forum members here too) have planted these in their yards in Florida.

anyway, Just wanted to see if any of these varieties fruit for you folks and what was the result?

I am currently growing all of these too, I will definitely report back the progress.

[simon_grow]

Hey Behl, I don't have any of these varieties but I would like to get them into my collection. I do have an Imam Passand graft that took if you want to swap in the future. Cheers,
Simon

[behlgarden]

Thanks Simon. We got imam pasand too. on the lookout for new varities, have seedlings of chaunsa, anwar ratol growing. will see what we get. so far we have been lucky.

[Squam256]

All these are on my list to plant, hoping to get them this year and try them out in West Palm.

[EvilFruit]

I don't live in the USA, but I have a grafted chaunsa mango (too young to fruit) and it seems to grow fine in our arid area.

[Sleepdoc]

I planted out a neelkiran a few years ago - it didn't make it.  Probably the location and my rough horticultural practices at the time.  Roots never took.

I also tried to graft Sindhu which didn't take.

[behlgarden]

Thank you for the responses. Sindhu from what I read is almost seedless. All these are excellent varities. I was just wondering whether these would follow suit of Alphonso failures is most parts of US. Alphonso in CA does ok, it's hit and miss.

[murahilin]

I am sure there are folks on this forum who have Arka Puneet, Sindhu, Sonpari, and Neelkiran planted in their collection. All these are hybrids of Alphonso X other popular mangoes.  No I am not looking for budwood, but wanted to know if you fruited any of these varieties and how did they perform for you.  From what I read Sonpari and Akra Puneet are two top ones everyone should have, but am yet to hear from anyone in US over their experiences with these exotic varieties.

Arka Puneet: Alphonso and Banganpalli
Sindhu: Ratna x Alphonso (Ratna is Neelam x Alphonso)
Sonpari: Alphonso x Baneshan
Neelkiran: Alphonso and Neelam

It's very likely that all of these varieties have been grown at Fairchild Farm in Homestead, FL. Maybe you can give them a call or send an email to find out how they've done and if they have budwood available. If they do have budwood available, maybe a forum member in the area can pick some up for you and mail it.

http://www.fairchildgarden.org/horticulture/the-fairchild-farm

[behlgarden]

Thanks murahilin for the information. I will inquire about them. On another note I am growing Sindhiri, this variety failed in Florida and Dr. Campbell said that it might do well in CA as weather is more conducive to our climate. Its growing well so far, hopefully it flowers and fruits later next year.

I think Mangodog had Puneet and it didn't do well for him.

[behlgarden]

Update Mar 2017:

I was able to acquire the following varieties:
1. Puneet - fruited in 2016. Excellent
2. Neelkiran - fruited in 2p16. Excellent.
3. Sonpari - growing. Fruit in 2018
4. Sindhu - fruited in 2016. Could not taste. Very slow grower.

[Squam256]

Update Mar 2017:

I was able to acquire the following varieties:
1. Puneet - fruited in 2016. Excellent
2. Neelkiran - fruited in 2p16. Excellent.
3. Sonpari - growing. Fruit in 2018
4. Sindhu - fruited in 2016. Could not taste. Very slow grower.

What happened with the Sindhu fruit?

I'm growing these 4 as well but yet to fruit them. The Sindhu has been growing fine in a pot though, to be planted soon.

[JF]

I found Puneet and Neelkiran to be pretty average mango. This is the first time we fruit them in SoCal but also Sindhiri which I believe is going to be an excellent mango once the trees mature

[noochka1]

I have Sindhri, Chaunsa and Baneshan but no crosses with Alphonso.  Am very interested to hear what people have to say about them.

[JF]

I have Sindhri, Chaunsa and Baneshan but no crosses with Alphonso.  Am very interested to hear what people have to say about them.

Where did you get chaunsa?

[noochka1]

There's a local guy who has a Chaunsa tree and sells grafted plants occasionally.  They're expensive, but I haven't been able to find it elsewhere.

[JF]

Hi noochka1

I have the hybrid of chaunsa Manohar superior to its father. I would like to trade 4-5 scions of manohar for chaunsa
Thanks
Frank

[noochka1]

Hi Frank, I'd be happy to send you some as soon as I get some new growth.  Please PM me with your details and I'll send a couple as soon as I'm able.

[JF]

Very nice of you. If you like any scions from me don't please hesitate to ask

[behlgarden]

Update Mar 2017:

I was able to acquire the following varieties:
1. Puneet - fruited in 2016. Excellent
2. Neelkiran - fruited in 2p16. Excellent.
3. Sonpari - growing. Fruit in 2018
4. Sindhu - fruited in 2016. Could not taste. Very slow grower.

What happened with the Sindhu fruit?

I'm growing these 4 as well but yet to fruit them. The Sindhu has been growing fine in a pot though, to be planted soon.

Fruit never got bigger. Its a flat shaped fruit, almost no seed. Its a weird grower. Slowest among all varieties I have grown. I have 10 pennicles blooming this year.

[behlgarden]

I found Puneet and Neelkiran to be pretty average mango. This is the first time we fruit them in SoCal but also Sindhiri which I believe is going to be an excellent mango once the trees mature

Frank, at you tasting both these were excellent.

[behlgarden]

some folks have Sonpari mango in Florida. Can you be kind enough to post pictures of matured and fresh growth of leaves? also, picture of actual fruit would be very helpful

[Squam256]

some folks have Sonpari mango in Florida. Can you be kind enough to post pictures of matured and fresh growth of leaves? also, picture of actual fruit would be very helpful

I'll try to remember to post some pics.

It's a *fantastic* mango. One of the best in 2017.

[behlgarden]

some folks have Sonpari mango in Florida. Can you be kind enough to post pictures of matured and fresh growth of leaves? also, picture of actual fruit would be very helpful

I'll try to remember to post some pics.

It's a *fantastic* mango. One of the best in 2017.

Thanks. Very eager to see picture of fruit and leaves because I was sent pictures of fruit and leaves with distinctive character of leaves, from grower that works with Indian Horticultural Dept. who worked on creation of Sonpari. I will share what I got pics once I see how yours are. Another source who sent pics to us didnt match description.

[nileshkwr]

Kindly provide updates on this thread. I am intersted in performance and taste of Sindhu mango.

[nileshkwr]

http://www.dbskkv.org/Research/Varieties_Fruit-Crops.html

[Squam256]

Our Sindhu is loaded with developing fruit right now.

Sonpari And Arka Neelkiran have good crops this year also.

[nileshkwr]

Our Sindhu is loaded with developing fruit right now.

Sonpari And Arka Neelkiran have good crops this year also.

How is taste of Sindhu compared to its parent Alphanso?
Is it really a regular bearer?

[Squam256]

Our Sindhu is loaded with developing fruit right now.

Sonpari And Arka Neelkiran have good crops this year also.

How is taste of Sindhu compared to its parent Alphanso?
Is it really a regular bearer?

Haven’t tried it yet. It made one mango last year that I didn’t get to try but hopefully will get to have some this season.

[nileshkwr]

Our Sindhu is loaded with developing fruit right now.

Sonpari And Arka Neelkiran have good crops this year also.

How is taste of Sindhu compared to its parent Alphanso?
Is it really a regular bearer?

Haven’t tried it yet. It made one mango last year that I didn’t get to try but hopefully will get to have some this season.

How old is your Sindhu graft?

[Squam256]

Our Sindhu is loaded with developing fruit right now.

Sonpari And Arka Neelkiran have good crops this year also.

How is taste of Sindhu compared to its parent Alphanso?
Is it really a regular bearer?

Haven’t tried it yet. It made one mango last year that I didn’t get to try but hopefully will get to have some this season.

How old is your Sindhu graft?

It was planted in 2017. Grafted a couple years before that.

[nileshkwr]

According to prominant Indian horticulturist Dr. Gunjate,  Sonpari can become one of best commercial variety in western India, konkan.

[nileshkwr]

Any updates?

[palingkecil]

I live near Burbank, CA. My Sonpari is only 3 ft tall in a pot, but looks healthy and happy. It starts showing some bloom and new growth now.
My friend lives 10 minutes away on 210 freeway has a Sonpari for 6 years in ground, at around 5 ft tall the tree produces 6 to 12 full size fruits each year.
Fruit's quality is excellent.

[Squam256]

Sindhu held a lot of fruit to maturity. Really good quality , definitely Alphonso- type flavor but also seems prone to rot.

Sonpari had a great year last season. Arka Neelkiran did well also.

[nileshkwr]

One more Alphanso hybrid to be considered is Ratna ( AlphansoXNeelam). It is one of parent of seedless sindhu.
Fruit size around 300 gms. Considered as tastiest mango hybrid in India , fetches better organoleptic score than amrapali or Sindhu.Taste 85% similar to Alphanso. Brix 21-22. Free from Spongy tissue disorder.
Tree is moderate, regular and moderate yielder.
Maturity late hence sometimes fruits damaged by mansoon. It is recommended in western coastal region of India including Goa. It likes hot and humid climate.

[johnb51]

One more Alphanso hybrid to be consider is Ratna ( AlphansoXNeelam). It is one on parent of seedless sindhu.
Fruit size around 300 gms. Consider tastiest mango hybrid in India , fetches better organoleptic score than amrapali or Sindhu.Taste 85% similar to Alphanso. Brix 21-22. Free from Spongy tissue disorder.
Tree is moderate, regular and moderate yielder.
Maturity late hence sometimes fruits damaged by mansoon. It was recommended in western coastal region including Goa. It likes hot and humid climate.

I don't think that one has made it to America yet.

[Satya]

One more Alphanso hybrid to be considered is Ratna ( AlphansoXNeelam). It is one of parent of seedless sindhu.
Fruit size around 300 gms. Considered as tastiest mango hybrid in India , fetches better organoleptic score than amrapali or Sindhu.Taste 85% similar to Alphanso. Brix 21-22. Free from Spongy tissue disorder.
Tree is moderate, regular and moderate yielder.
Maturity late hence sometimes fruits damaged by mansoon. It is recommended in western coastal region of India including Goa. It likes hot and humid climate.

Nileshkwr do you know where in India (which part) would be a good place to go to try these mangoes , i mean the ones which are more tolerant to hot and humid climate and tolerate a lot of rainfall. I am visiting this May and would like to get some seeds and scions.

[nileshkwr]

One more Alphanso hybrid to be considered is Ratna ( AlphansoXNeelam). It is one of parent of seedless sindhu.
Fruit size around 300 gms. Considered as tastiest mango hybrid in India , fetches better organoleptic score than amrapali or Sindhu.Taste 85% similar to Alphanso. Brix 21-22. Free from Spongy tissue disorder.
Tree is moderate, regular and moderate yielder.
Maturity late hence sometimes fruits damaged by mansoon. It is recommended in western coastal region of India including Goa. It likes hot and humid climate.

Nileshkwr do you know where in India (which part) would be a good place to go to try these mangoes , i mean the ones which are more tolerant to hot and humid climate and tolerate a lot of rainfall. I am visiting this May and would like to get some seeds and scions.

Indian western coastal region is with climate hot and humid with lot of rain. Coastal districts of Maharashta, karnataka and entire states of Goa and Kerala comes in this belt.
You may get grafted plants of mango and other tropical fruits, spice plants at Vengurle fruit research center. It is near goa airport ( 88 km).
Other research institutes are ICARI - New Delhi, CISH Lakhnow , IIHR Banglore. But these institutes are not in hot and humid regions.
I am not sure if mango hybrids like Ratna , sindhu will give good fruits in other countries with hot and humid climate. Because alphanso grown in only 4 districts of maharashtra tastes good, in other hot and humid part of India alphanso do not produce quality fruits. Alphanso requires laterite soil. And Ratna and sindhu also do well in laterite soil.

[Satya]

Thanks. The soil in South FL is not laterite but i was looking at a different place with red iron rich soil, humid and high rainfall area so this info is certainly helpful. My challenge is also that there are not enough chill hours but a drier 2-3 months that triggers flowering in well established trees. I will look into the Vengurle center.

[Satya]

Was looking at these as suitable for such climate but i may find many other local champions there that the agriculture center has developed  - Mankurad, Kesar, Mulgova,Vanraj, Pairi. Is  Ratna found  in the town Ratnagiri? Named after the place?  Hope i will find some nurseries there too. 

[nileshkwr]

For red soil, humid and hot climate I will choose alphanso over ratna. Because alphanso is tastier. Alphanso has shelf life of 16 days and ratna of 8 days. Also alphanso is early season while ratna is late season. Only problem with alphanso is spongy tissue disorder. That affects 20-30 % fruits. Ratna fruits are not affected by spongy tissue.

Ratna was devloped by dapoli krushi vidyapeeth and named after Ratnagiri district. But local nurseries dont keep Ratna grafts as farmers prefer alphanso.

So vengurle will be good choice if you want grafts. I heared they sell fruits of different mango cultivars in May.
Otherwise you can get different cultivars fruits in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi by online shopping, big basket, different local websites.

If you are going to vengurle , purchase konkan samrat mango graft  also ( alphanso X tommy atkins).

[Satya]

Thank you for the info. Yes Vengurle sounds right place to visit. Very excited to try all the exotic mangoes. If anybody else here wants to join the adventure please message me.

[johnb51]

Thank you for the info. Yes Vengurle sounds right place to visit. Very excited to try all the exotic mangoes. If anybody else here wants to join the adventure please message me.

How long will you be in India/Nepal?

[Squam256]

One more Alphanso hybrid to be consider is Ratna ( AlphansoXNeelam). It is one on parent of seedless sindhu.
Fruit size around 300 gms. Consider tastiest mango hybrid in India , fetches better organoleptic score than amrapali or Sindhu.Taste 85% similar to Alphanso. Brix 21-22. Free from Spongy tissue disorder.
Tree is moderate, regular and moderate yielder.
Maturity late hence sometimes fruits damaged by mansoon. It was recommended in western coastal region including Goa. It likes hot and humid climate.

I don't think that one has made it to America yet.

It has. They have (or had) one at Fairchild Farm, though I’ve been told it’s pretty unhealthy.

[Satya]

Thank you for the info. Yes Vengurle sounds right place to visit. Very excited to try all the exotic mangoes. If anybody else here wants to join the adventure please message me.

How long will you be in India/Nepal?

[Satya]

Thank you for the info. Yes Vengurle sounds right place to visit. Very excited to try all the exotic mangoes. If anybody else here wants to join the adventure please message me.

How long will you be in India/Nepal?

Plan is for three weeks in April in Nepal and two and half weeks in May in India.

[johnb51]

How long will you be in India/Nepal?

Plan is for three weeks in April in Nepal and two and half weeks in May in India.

Your trees are going to miss you!  Mangos will start ripening before you get back.