Went to a nursery with the intent of getting two mango trees...

[stormin]

My wife and I went to a nursery to buy 2 mango trees and other plants and came out with 5 mango trees.  I was looking to see if they had a Rosigold and Neelam to have an early and late season mango crop. I did find a Rosigold, and when I asked for the price, the worker stated $20. For that price I had to get more trees. I ended up getting a Rosigold, Nam Doc Mai (smallest mango tree I have), Coconut Cream, Pineapple Pleasure, and Lemon Zest (I know it is a fairly vigorous grower but I couldn't pass it up after reading so many positive reviews).

The nursery had mostly Hadens and Lemon Meringues in stock, the other varieties were either only in quantities of 1 or 2 left. When I was there I saw Peach Cobbler, Madame Francis, some odd named one I think it started with Tia or Sia, Ice Cream, Julie, Juliette, Carrie, and Eastern Indian (never heard of this one). The Lemon Zest I have is pretty tall in a 3 gallon pot, I'm planning on letting it grow to a manageable height during the growing season and then prune it down to a max height of 9' so I can protect it each winter season. Will that be doable, or will I not get mangoes from this tree? Also, I've read good reviews about Pineapple Pleasure, but don't recall reading anything about the tree itself. Is it a vigorous grower like a Valencia Pride, or is it more modest?

The other plants I have bought are Jasmine Sambac: Maid of Honor (my mother kept asking me to plant it so when she visits she can smell it, she loves that plant since it's her home country's national flower and reminds her of the Philippines) and two grafted Miami Supreme gardenias for my wife. I know these aren't tropical fruits, but if anyone has any helpful information please be free to let me know since I have never grown any of these before. My soil is alkaline and I know gardenias like acidic soil, so those are going in containers. But how big of a container do I need for them? I've been looking online about the Jasmine Sambac Maid of Honor plant but I'm getting conflicting information, some places state it needs acidic soil, other sites stating it grows in alkaline, neutral, and acidic soil. So any help on those will be gratefully appreciated!

[bangkok]

Wow it seems you found a good nursery. Feel free to mention it so other members can also buy some more tree's there.

[mangomaniac2]

I would say you picked some good ones. The coconut creams that I have the roots grow big fast. The lemon zest is vigorous but responds super with tip pruning. I have 3 pineapple pleasure and they are fairly vigorous, but look to be manageable without too many difficulties.
Good luck!

[stormin]

Wow it seems you found a good nursery. Feel free to mention it so other members can also buy some more tree's there.

I wasn't sure if I was allowed to put out nursery names, but since it's allowed I will then. The nursery is Green's Nursery in Zellwood, highly recommend it for the Orlando area people.

[stormin]

I would say you picked some good ones. The coconut creams that I have the roots grow big fast. The lemon zest is vigorous but responds super with tip pruning. I have 3 pineapple pleasure and they are fairly vigorous, but look to be manageable without too many difficulties.
Good luck!

Thanks, I hope to be able to keep them alive. The roots grow big fast on the coconut cream? Is your's in a container? I'm planning on putting my coconut cream in the ground. The two that I bought today that will stay in containers are Rosigold and NDM. So both lemon zest and pineapple pleasure are manageable, that's great to hear!

[TnTrobbie]

Nice score at those prices . Welcome to the addiction-I mean uh um.......club .

[bangkok]

Wow it seems you found a good nursery. Feel free to mention it so other members can also buy some more tree's there.

I wasn't sure if I was allowed to put out nursery names, but since it's allowed I will then. The nursery is Green's Nursery in Zellwood, highly recommend it for the Orlando area people.

Of course you're free to mention a nursery, after all this is the international online fruitforum and you are an american ( i guess). I'm sure the nursery will get busy now which is great. If i could buy lemon zest or fruit punch for 20$ i would be on my way right now before they are sold out. 

[stormin]

Nice score at those prices . Welcome to the addiction-I mean uh um.......club .

Thanks. At those prices I had to buy those trees. lol, yeah I suppose it started becoming an addiction. Now to figure out where to plant them in the backyard.

[stormin]

Wow it seems you found a good nursery. Feel free to mention it so other members can also buy some more tree's there.

I wasn't sure if I was allowed to put out nursery names, but since it's allowed I will then. The nursery is Green's Nursery in Zellwood, highly recommend it for the Orlando area people.

Of course you're free to mention a nursery, after all this is the international online fruitforum and you are an american ( i guess). I'm sure the nursery will get busy now which is great. If i could buy lemon zest or fruit punch for 20$ i would be on my way right now before they are sold out. 

Yep, I'm American born. I hope the nursery will get more customers going there, seems like a great nursery. As for the Lemon Zest, I bought the last one.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Green's is an excellent nursery!! (that's where my nursery was located right before I moved to the new address I'm at now...Ray Green was kind enough to rent me some space)

But u got lucky with those prices!!  he sells 3 gal mangoes for $25 usually! (which is still super cheap)....I hope you didn't get the person who sold them to you in trouble....lol...maybe they made a mistake?

either way, thanks for sharing your experience!

[mangomaniac2]

I would say you picked some good ones. The coconut creams that I have the roots grow big fast. The lemon zest is vigorous but responds super with tip pruning. I have 3 pineapple pleasure and they are fairly vigorous, but look to be manageable without too many difficulties.
Good luck!

Thanks, I hope to be able to keep them alive. The roots grow big fast on the coconut cream? Is your's in a container? I'm planning on putting my coconut cream in the ground. The two that I bought today that will stay in containers are Rosigold and NDM. So both lemon zest and pineapple pleasure are manageable, that's great to hear!

Have both of my coco cream in large 1/2 whiskey barrel pots. Had to move up from 15 gallon pot way sooner than expected. This one is definitely not a container mango for long. Not for the top part of the tree, just the roots are crazy vigorous. Likely has to do with the rootstock, but zill does not label rootstocks much unless they are experimental.
My pineapple pleasures were all 3 gallon, and with the dry heat basically turned into bushes right away. The branches are thick though and pretty vigorous. Your lemon zest will be the most vigorous above the dirt, but nice thing is really likes to branch easily especially just tip pruning even.
Not sure why, but some varieties are really prone to aphids that create leaf deformation majorly. Most my mango varieties are not bothered by these ants/aphids, but of 30 some varieties, coconut cream, alphonso, and edward the ants/aphids seem to go after much more than any others. I learned from BSBULLIE to get rid of ants gets rid of aphids. Guess what...he's right.  I just spray some seven dust liquid spray when new growth starts developing and then the leaves do not get mangled. Just FYI

[stormin]

Green's is an excellent nursery!! (that's where my nursery was located right before I moved to the new address I'm at now...Ray Green was kind enough to rent me some space)

But u got lucky with those prices!!  he sells 3 gal mangoes for $25 usually! (which is still super cheap)....I hope you didn't get the person who sold them to you in trouble....lol...maybe they made a mistake?

either way, thanks for sharing your experience!

Ah, too bad you weren't located there still, I would've dropped by. And yes, Green's is an excellent nursery!

I had a feeling the mangoes were usually $25 (still cheap). We first talked to a brunette guy that was petting a kitten, with a dog behind him inside the place they did the billing. He showed us the mangoes and when asked about the price he said $20, then he showed us the jasmines and gardenias. He had to get a hispanic male to help pick out the Miami Supremes and Maid of Honors because they weren't blooming and he wasn't 100% sure the plants he was pointing at were the exact cultivar of what we were looking for. So the hispanic guy picked them for us and took us back to the billing building (the brunette guy had went to another building to talk to a female (employee I'm assuming) and when he was ringing us up he was saying 5 mangoes at $25 each, but we told him the other man quoted us $20. So we (my wife, me, and the hispanic guy) went to the brunette and asked if it's supposed to be $20, and he said "That's what Mr. Green said." So I guess they were on special. So doubt anyone got in trouble.

[stormin]

I would say you picked some good ones. The coconut creams that I have the roots grow big fast. The lemon zest is vigorous but responds super with tip pruning. I have 3 pineapple pleasure and they are fairly vigorous, but look to be manageable without too many difficulties.
Good luck!

Thanks, I hope to be able to keep them alive. The roots grow big fast on the coconut cream? Is your's in a container? I'm planning on putting my coconut cream in the ground. The two that I bought today that will stay in containers are Rosigold and NDM. So both lemon zest and pineapple pleasure are manageable, that's great to hear!

Have both of my coco cream in large 1/2 whiskey barrel pots. Had to move up from 15 gallon pot way sooner than expected. This one is definitely not a container mango for long. Not for the top part of the tree, just the roots are crazy vigorous. Likely has to do with the rootstock, but zill does not label rootstocks much unless they are experimental.
My pineapple pleasures were all 3 gallon, and with the dry heat basically turned into bushes right away. The branches are thick though and pretty vigorous. Your lemon zest will be the most vigorous above the dirt, but nice thing is really likes to branch easily especially just tip pruning even.
Not sure why, but some varieties are really prone to aphids that create leaf deformation majorly. Most my mango varieties are not bothered by these ants/aphids, but of 30 some varieties, coconut cream, alphonso, and edward the ants/aphids seem to go after much more than any others. I learned from BSBULLIE to get rid of ants gets rid of aphids. Guess what...he's right.  I just spray some seven dust liquid spray when new growth starts developing and then the leaves do not get mangled. Just FYI

Yes, definitely, now that I just looked at my coconut cream mango, the roots are pretty vigorous, lol. It's still a short tree, but it's planted in a 7 gallon pot, which I found odd in the nursery, until you mentioned about the roots. I was looking at the tree again a short time ago, and notice something strange , where the rootstock is, just below the graftline, it's kind of bulging looking and has some sort of splitting/bursting thing going on. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow if it's not raining and post a new topic about it asking for help on what is going on.

I don't mind a bushy looking tree, I think it'll look pretty nice and hope my pineapple pleasure does the same thing as your's. I guess since the Lemon Zest is the most vigorous and takes on to tip pruning, I'll do my tip pruning onto that first to see if I am tipping correctly.

I haven't noticed ants on the mango trees, but will inspect for aphids. I have noticed big holes on most of the mango trees I've bought there, but haven't seen any bugs on the leaves, so not sure what bug is making holes on them.

[mangomaniac2]

There is a lot of citrus trees in the area, along with several different types of desert trees that the aphids love, so my experience may be quite a bit more location specific than others, but something to keep an eye on. If there are ants walking on the mango tree you can easily assume they are farming aphids.

[bsbullie]

There is a lot of citrus trees in the area, along with several different types of desert trees that the aphids love, so my experience may be quite a bit more location specific than others, but something to keep an eye on. If there are ants walking on the mango tree you can easily assume they are farming aphids.

They can also farm scale,  which is commonly found on mangoes.

[zands]

@stormin
You did great buying five mangoes at good prices. You will have frost problems so now you have a better chance of survival. If you had just one mango tree and it got hit hard by frost you would be all done.
Do you have loquats? They are well suited for Orlando climate.

[Tropicaliste]

I may be able to give advice on your Sampaguita Jasmine. My mother was Filipina too, and I try to grow all the plants that remind me of being back home. I fertilize mine with good fertilizer, you want the one geared to blooming. They like morning sunlight and afternoon protection. Once they bloom, prune the branchlets they appeared on to encourage more.
You may want to surprise her and grow some other flowers that will bring her "home". Plumeria(Kulatsitsi), Angel Trumpet(Campanilya), Ylang-Ylang, and Butterfly Ginger(Kamya).

[stormin]

@stormin
You did great buying five mangoes at good prices. You will have frost problems so now you have a better chance of survival. If you had just one mango tree and it got hit hard by frost you would be all done.
Do you have loquats? They are well suited for Orlando climate.

Thanks, it was hard to resist buying more mango trees at that price. Right now I have 8 mango trees, still don't have that Neelam though. But then again I'm not sure I'd have enough space in my yard with all those mango trees, lol.
I don't have any loquats, I haven't tasted them before. They do look interesting, but not sure if I'd have enough room in my yard to plant a loquat, would need to taste some fruit before I think about planting it though. Looks similar to an apricot to me, if it tastes similar to one I probably wouldn't like it.

[stormin]

I may be able to give advice on your Sampaguita Jasmine. My mother was Filipina too, and I try to grow all the plants that remind me of being back home. I fertilize mine with good fertilizer, you want the one geared to blooming. They like morning sunlight and afternoon protection. Once they bloom, prune the branchlets they appeared on to encourage more.
You may want to surprise her and grow some other flowers that will bring her "home". Plumeria(Kulatsitsi), Angel Trumpet(Campanilya), Ylang-Ylang, and Butterfly Ginger(Kamya).

What kind of fertilizer do you use on your jasmine? Is it planted in the ground or container? Is it an acid loving plant or does it not care on if it grows in alkaline soil? Sorry for the many questions, just want to try to keep it alive, lol. Hmm, it likes morning sunlight and afternoon protection, looks like it'll have to go to the front of the house then.
I sometimes see people selling cuttings of plumeria branches, $15 per cutting. It doesn't look like much, just a bare stick, but if it's easy to grow I'll give it a shot, even though at $15 I prefer it to have roots or something, lol. As for Angel Trumpet, I know it's a toxic plant, my wife's sister used to have one in her old house, beautiful flowers, but at nights thieves would come and take all her blooms (we heard on the news that there was a rash of burglery of people steeling the blooms in an attempt to get high). So I'm not sure I want to attract the attention of druggies, lol. I haven't heard of a Butterfly Ginger, had to Google it and noticed it is a lily, I can't grow that, my wife is allergic to lilies. But the Ylang-Ylang tree looks beautiful. Will have to look into it more, so far I noticed that it grows at 15 ft per year unless it's a dwarf variety.

[Tropicaliste]

I used Preen for years, it was all purpose. It worked well, but then I switched to Jobe's Organic for fruit and bloom.  I keep mine in a pot, because I live in Maryland, and it would not last in Winter. The soil was a mix of mulch and potting mix, but once in a while I mix in fresh peat or mulch or perlite. I think it likes more acid soil, but rich organic soil is key. I don't think ph will be the most important factor when you use good potting mix. It's not like Miracle Fruit which loves acid.

It will enjoy the morning sun, and afternoon indirect light. The green leaves are equally pretty, and I find if you give them full sun, they go pale.

I suggest you pick up a Plumeria. They grow fast, and will be a showstopper when in bloom. They smell good too if you get the good variety. Mine smell like peaches and mango.
Angel Trumpet is showy. The druping flowers look like bells, hence the name Campanilya or Campanilla. Never heard of people getting high from it, but that just shows you the desperation of some people.
The Kamya is actually a tropical ginger, not a common lily, but they use lily in the name sometimes. Your wife shouldn't be allergic to it unless she's allergic to ginger species. It smells incredible. More like perfume than flower.

Lastly, the Ylang ylang is of course the flower that trumps the others in my opinion. It's the scent that can fill your neighborhood, and it will bring pollinators to your yard. If you want more pollination of fruit, it stands to reason the intoxicaing scent of the aforementioned flowers will bring the bees etc to your yard.

[StPeteMango]

The other plants I have bought are Jasmine Sambac: Maid of Honor (my mother kept asking me to plant it so when she visits she can smell it, she loves that plant since it's her home country's national flower and reminds her of the Philippines) and two grafted Miami Supreme gardenias for my wife. I know these aren't tropical fruits, but if anyone has any helpful information please be free to let me know since I have never grown any of these before. My soil is alkaline and I know gardenias like acidic soil, so those are going in containers. But how big of a container do I need for them? I've been looking online about the Jasmine Sambac Maid of Honor plant but I'm getting conflicting information, some places state it needs acidic soil, other sites stating it grows in alkaline, neutral, and acidic soil. So any help on those will be gratefully appreciated!

I have three jasmine sambacs planted in the ground and one in a pot at various points around my house. They do okay in the sandy soil we have here in St. Pete. Use pine bark or nuggets as mulch, as well as the occasional handful of oak leaves. Have to cut them back heavily in the winter; the cool air and high humidity gives them sooty stuff on their leaves. They grow back in the spring looking better than before. Another possibility may be the night-blooming jasmine/queen of the night jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum). It's perfume is quite strong. It's bushy, and doesn't get as big as a gardenia.

[bsbullie]

I used Preen for years, it was all purpose. It worked well, but then I switched to Jobe's Organic for fruit and bloom.  I keep mine in a pot, because I live in Maryland, and it would not last in Winter. The soil was a mix of mulch and potting mix, but once in a while I mix in fresh peat or mulch or perlite. I think it likes more acid soil, but rich organic soil is key. I don't think ph will be the most important factor when you use good potting mix. It's not like Miracle Fruit which loves acid.

It will enjoy the morning sun, and afternoon indirect light. The green leaves are equally pretty, and I find if you give them full sun, they go pale.

I suggest you pick up a Plumeria. They grow fast, and will be a showstopper when in bloom. They smell good too if you get the good variety. Mine smell like peaches and mango.
Angel Trumpet is showy. The druping flowers look like bells, hence the name Campanilya or Campanilla. Never heard of people getting high from it, but that just shows you the desperation of some people.
The Kamya is actually a tropical ginger, not a common lily, but they use lily in the name sometimes. Your wife shouldn't be allergic to it unless she's allergic to ginger species. It smells incredible. More like perfume than flower.

Lastly, the Ylang ylang is of course the flower that trumps the others in my opinion. It's the scent that can fill your neighborhood, and it will bring pollinators to your yard. If you want more pollination of fruit, it stands to reason the intoxicaing scent of the aforementioned flowers will bring the bees etc to your yard.

Ylang Ylang will not be happy in zone 9; Plumeria sp. also may struggle.  Neither do well with frosts/freezing temps.  Angel Trumpet in zone 9 will most likely die back to the ground each winter.

People, please be mindful of what recommendations you make to people in specific USDA Zones, especially those newer to the hobby.  They may not realize what they are getting into and you could be costing them problems they do not want.

[Tropicaliste]

I grow all the species I mentioned, in zone 7, in pots. The plants I suggested to you, but the Ylang ylang, are not ultra tropical nor are they fruits, these are often grown by new gardener's interested in tropical flowers, because getting a plant to flower is less involved to get it to flower then fruit.

The Kamya will grow in ground with protection in my area.  I know that Angel Trumpet grows in the 8-11 zone, but even in my 7 zone there's a hardy variety that can withstand low temperatures. I suggest you try that out if you're worried, Stormin. Basically, If you can grow Mangoes, which it seems you've committed to, then you should be able to grow my suggestions.
The Angel Trumpet, Kamya, and Plumeria can be grown in ground in zone 9 with protection. I've seen it. The Ylang ylang, I'd put in a pot or enclosed structure. My plant is inside where it's by a draft, 60 degrees or so during the day and lower at night, and it's still growing.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Green's is an excellent nursery!! (that's where my nursery was located right before I moved to the new address I'm at now...Ray Green was kind enough to rent me some space)

But u got lucky with those prices!!  he sells 3 gal mangoes for $25 usually! (which is still super cheap)....I hope you didn't get the person who sold them to you in trouble....lol...maybe they made a mistake?

either way, thanks for sharing your experience!

Ah, too bad you weren't located there still, I would've dropped by. And yes, Green's is an excellent nursery!

I had a feeling the mangoes were usually $25 (still cheap). We first talked to a brunette guy that was petting a kitten, with a dog behind him inside the place they did the billing. He showed us the mangoes and when asked about the price he said $20, then he showed us the jasmines and gardenias. He had to get a hispanic male to help pick out the Miami Supremes and Maid of Honors because they weren't blooming and he wasn't 100% sure the plants he was pointing at were the exact cultivar of what we were looking for. So the hispanic guy picked them for us and took us back to the billing building (the brunette guy had went to another building to talk to a female (employee I'm assuming) and when he was ringing us up he was saying 5 mangoes at $25 each, but we told him the other man quoted us $20. So we (my wife, me, and the hispanic guy) went to the brunette and asked if it's supposed to be $20, and he said "That's what Mr. Green said." So I guess they were on special. So doubt anyone got in trouble.

Wow u were right!

I called greens and they lowered the price of mangoes!!

I don't think this price can last much longer...they're barely making a profit!

[naturelover]

I used Preen for years, it was all purpose. It worked well, but then I switched to Jobe's Organic for fruit and bloom.  I keep mine in a pot, because I live in Maryland, and it would not last in Winter. The soil was a mix of mulch and potting mix, but once in a while I mix in fresh peat or mulch or perlite. I think it likes more acid soil, but rich organic soil is key. I don't think ph will be the most important factor when you use good potting mix. It's not like Miracle Fruit which loves acid.

It will enjoy the morning sun, and afternoon indirect light. The green leaves are equally pretty, and I find if you give them full sun, they go pale.

I suggest you pick up a Plumeria. They grow fast, and will be a showstopper when in bloom. They smell good too if you get the good variety. Mine smell like peaches and mango.
Angel Trumpet is showy. The druping flowers look like bells, hence the name Campanilya or Campanilla. Never heard of people getting high from it, but that just shows you the desperation of some people.
The Kamya is actually a tropical ginger, not a common lily, but they use lily in the name sometimes. Your wife shouldn't be allergic to it unless she's allergic to ginger species. It smells incredible. More like perfume than flower.

Lastly, the Ylang ylang is of course the flower that trumps the others in my opinion. It's the scent that can fill your neighborhood, and it will bring pollinators to your yard. If you want more pollination of fruit, it stands to reason the intoxicaing scent of the aforementioned flowers will bring the bees etc to your yard.

Ylang Ylang will not be happy in zone 9; Plumeria sp. also may struggle.  Neither do well with frosts/freezing temps.  Angel Trumpet in zone 9 will most likely die back to the ground each winter.

People, please be mindful of what recommendations you make to people in specific USDA Zones, especially those newer to the hobby.  They may not realize what they are getting into and you could be costing them problems they do not want.

Ebay has plumeria cuttings that are very cheap- cuttings take very easily. For a few bucks, you can gamble.

[bsbullie]

I grow all the species I mentioned, in zone 7, in pots. The plants I suggested to you, but the Ylang ylang, are not ultra tropical nor are they fruits, these are often grown by new gardener's interested in tropical flowers, because getting a plant to flower is less involved to get it to flower then fruit.

The Kamya will grow in ground with protection in my area.  I know that Angel Trumpet grows in the 8-11 zone, but even in my 7 zone there's a hardy variety that can withstand low temperatures. I suggest you try that out if you're worried, Stormin. Basically, If you can grow Mangoes, which it seems you've committed to, then you should be able to grow my suggestions.
The Angel Trumpet, Kamya, and Plumeria can be grown in ground in zone 9 with protection. I've seen it. The Ylang ylang, I'd put in a pot or enclosed structure. My plant is inside where it's by a draft, 60 degrees or so during the day and lower at night, and it's still growing.

Right, you are a zone pusher growing in pots.  Most people in Florida are not growing in pots or don't know your recommendations are based on your pot culture.  Pot culture in colder zones also slows the growth tremendously.  It can even stunt or prohibit the growth.  The Ylang Ylang gets huge, so keeping it in a pot is more than a challange.

Mangoes in 9b can be a challange, and can even have detrimantal results due to weather.  It is very common to have frost, freezez and even a hard freeze in 9b.  Are there microclimates, yes but people need to know the truth, not an opinion of a zone 7 "grower". 

Maybe you should update your profile, as has been requested (and should be required) by the mods and members, to show your zone.  That way when you state "you are growing it", they know to take it with a grain of salt and ask questions or do some research before wasting time, effort and money.

Also, if you think I am making the information up I posted, do a little research and let me know what you find.

[Tropicaliste]

Stormin: Despite what naysayers may tell you, the flowers I suggested are growable. I'm not the first, nor the last, to grow these successfully. Of course, it's up to you, these were just suggestions, that I think your mom would love. I've done my research and know that it can be done. You already know growing mangoes will be a challenge, but by applying your knowledge to these other tropicals you can easily bask in the bounty. The Kamya can easily grow in the ground with no protection in your area. The Plumeria and Angel Trumpet will need some protection, but I've seen these flourish in the ground in zone 9 and the Plumeria especially was covered in flowers.

The Ylang ylang will need to go into a large pot, and protected in the Winter, but it's not as dainty and weak as some may have you believe. If you feel up to the challenge, then go for it. No plant is a breeze for any grower, there may be freak weather, or water restrictions that occur, but unless you live in the rain forest, then we're all trying our best. Best wishes to you garden and feel free to PM or email me if you have any more questions.

[bsbullie]

Stormin: Despite what naysayers may tell you, the flowers I suggested are growable. I'm not the first, nor the last, to grow these successfully. Of course, it's up to you, these were just suggestions, that I think your mom would love. I've done my research and know that it can be done. You already know growing mangoes will be a challenge, but by applying your knowledge to these other tropicals you can easily bask in the bounty. The Kamya can easily grow in the ground with no protection in your area. The Plumeria and Angel Trumpet will need some protection, but I've seen these flourish in the ground in zone 9 and the Plumeria especially was covered in flowers.

The Ylang ylang will need to go into a large pot, and protected in the Winter, but it's not as dainty and weak as some may have you believe. If you feel up to the challenge, then go for it. No plant is a breeze for any grower, there may be freak weather, or water restrictions that occur, but unless you live in the rain forest, then we're all trying our best. Best wishes to you garden and feel free to PM or email me if you have any more questions.

You are right, what was I thinking.  Your Zone 7 experience of growing in pots far exceeds the experience and knowedge I will ever have...

[Bob407]

I have grown plumerias in zone 9 and they can make it to about 8' tall and survive and flower until there is the occasional cold snap but they come back. Angel trumpets grow quite well in zone 9 and there are many trees around 10' tall that do well even through the cold. If you know where to look you can find some very large mango trees in zone 9. I have a pic of a mango tree that must be at least 35' tall and has a trunk that is around 3' or 4' feet. I have to find the pic to post , if I don't find it I will swing by and take another pic and post it soon.

[bsbullie]

Right, and as I said there are microclimates but it is not the norm.  Ask Nancy. a resident in 9b, how her trees have fared over the years.  It is truly not worth it, everyone go ahead and recklessly ant anything you want no matter what the zone irrigation...

[Bob407]

Rob, I do not know Nancy. However I do know others in the same zone with positive experiences. It seems as if you are going against your own advice to others regarding mangos, " give them time to establish themselves and be patient". I do not think it is necessarily reckless, that seems a bit extreme to say. I enjoy the surprises that occur by attempting to grow plants outside there native range and I am sure others do too. I respect your advice and experience, but your experience does have its limit and so does mine. Every attempt is a new opportunity. I have had many surprise and many failures, I have learned from them both.

[GrassFlats]

There are some mango trees in Altamonte springs that are 20' plus in height and have given a lot of fruit over the years

[jbaqai]

I am in north cali 9b
Out of 4 years of growing mango , I end up killing them 3 years straight , mostly through my ignorance

This year is the only year with zero casualties , and it may be due to fact of mild winter , strong plants (to begin with) , or gain of knowledge though forums like this one

So yeah I agree , it's tricky , but doable

Rob has a point here, I can see my plants do really good in summer months , but really struggled in winter , that may effect the overall health of the plant

[jbaqai]

Going back to the main topic of the this thread

Called the nursery , and they don't ship to Cali   


Want to buy some more plants , buts my fav wild papaya is not responding to my request , may be they are still close for the season

[bsbullie]

Rob, I do not know Nancy. However I do know others in the same zone with positive experiences. It seems as if you are going against your own advice to others regarding mangos, " give them time to establish themselves and be patient". I do not think it is necessarily reckless, that seems a bit extreme to say. I enjoy the surprises that occur by attempting to grow plants outside there native range and I am sure others do too. I respect your advice and experience, but your experience does have its limit and so does mine. Every attempt is a new opportunity. I have had many surprise and many failures, I have learned from them both.

I am not saying people cant or shouldnt try.  What I am saying is that some on here are completely new and ZERO knowledge or understanding what they are getting into and what it takes once they do.  For a lack of a better term, a newbie comes here and loves the thought of growing a mango, goes and buys one or five of them based on "recommendations" from others (others with and without direct experience).  They don't understand that just cause they buy and plant the trees, it is not as simple to plant and watch it grow into a producing tree with no efforts.  Not all zones afford the same luxury.  Not all people understand what it takes and how to protect the trees in certain cold spells.  Whats worse, many learn the hard way, after it is too late. 

What I am saying is not directed at any one person here, it even happens at nurseries.  A nursery in Central or Northern Florida will sell a tree to someone without explaining to them what it takes to grow it, the care to give it and the risks involved.  There are areas south of Orlando that have the same issues, the climate in some areas around Lake O that will support mangoes however there are some areas that are just too cold for someone not wishing to cover, heat, build a shelter, etc. just keep th etree alive, or at least the part above the graft alive.

Yes, I preach patience but it is for those who want a 3 gal or 7 gal to produce fruit in one to two years and when it doesnt, claim the tree is crap and not worth a damn.  Those people should not be growing mangoes or any other fruit trees.  Those people should plant a pine tree or oak tree and be done with it.

Meet Nancy, aka Puglvr1 (you can also do a search on this site, or google, to see her trials and tribulations over the years).

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=14472.0

Another from Zone 9b

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=14486.0

[michsu]

yeah, all my trees are turning to crap right now because of the winter .. I'm going to sit here and forget about them for at least a month.. I hope they have fruit by then.. actually, I think some will 
 one to two years is way too long to wait.. if one tree won't have fruit, then I'm just going to walk over to my other one and get it. Planting the trees are just a hobby for everyone, and many learn because of successes or failures (so next time they won't or will do the same thing to get better); basically, this is all a learning experience for everyone here; It is good to also have very knowledgeable people like yourself to help us out when we do; Not all of us has the space or climate to grow things, but we just want to try; You won't know until you try, right?  You are right though in that they should buy one or two trees first to test it out, and if everything is good after a few years, then just add more of the same kind (like mangoes perhaps).. That's also what I'm doing with my yard too.. have a little of everything.. if something dies, I see what happens and try not to do it next time, or just get another thing.. For example, I have been trying to grow abius here in CA (4 died so far because of freezing, but I try different areas of the yard).. I still have one alive, but it is very small (about 1 gallon).. it's not going anywhere, just slowly getting more leaves.. hey, it's all about growing more stuff, and that's the fun of it.. failures and successes.. I even tried durian and rambutan too, but I'm not touching those until I get a greenhouse next time haha..

[Bob407]

Thanks for your reply Rob. I appreciate your intense passion for tropical fruits. Here is a pic of the mango tree I previously mentioned in zone 9. This thing is a machine.
 
That is a pecan tree to the right of the mango.

[GrassFlats]

Yes, i can see how growing mangos in 9b can be difficult with the freezes and all.  However, if you plant the right varieties that can be kept under 10 feet and still be productive then it may be worth it to some.  I agree, it can be a pain in the ass to cover the trees when it gets cold, especially when the trees are bigger.  Growing some in pots is an option as well and when they get too big then plant them in the ground, leave them be, or cont to try to bring them indoors when it gets cold.  i hope to get a few mangoes from my 7 gallon Pickering this year.  The tree is exploding with flowers and has some fruits on it.  I will thin them out with time as i know it is not good to try and harvest a bunch of mangoes on such a small tree

[bsbullie]

Part of my case and point, do you realize how difficult it is to keep a maturing or mature mango tree at 10 feet (except for maybe a Julie).  Its not like you just hat rack it to keep it at that height. Yes, you can watch the Richard Campbell videos but you she keep in mi d, his skill and knowledge is far beyond the average homeowner or forum member.