The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Future on June 13, 2018, 06:57:53 PM
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I recently started a major mango project in the West African tropics. During my visit, mango season was prolific. I also noticed trees with still maturing fruit and new blooms. Given no cold fronts, my guess is a very long dry spell (>6 months with about 2 inches of rain) will enable two crops this year. Remains to be seen if a second crop would be viable given rains are so torrential (10-20 inches a month for 4-5 months).
So my question, for those in the true tropics;
how long does it take for your mangoes to flower once seasonal dry period begins?
What has been your experience with multiple crops?
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I'm in Florida but have some references for you. Do some google searches on "Flower manipulation in mangoes"
or "Floral manipulation in mangos". You can find some good material.
Here is a sample search:
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=3aghW52VPMvX5gLUjq0w&q=floral+manipulation+in+mangos&oq=floral+manipulation+in+mangos&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.1.2846.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.CMQuQHwgbY0 (https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=3aghW52VPMvX5gLUjq0w&q=floral+manipulation+in+mangos&oq=floral+manipulation+in+mangos&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.1.2846.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.CMQuQHwgbY0)
If you are doing a major project I'd suggest not re-inventing the wheel, instead spend as much time as needed to find out the best local information from someone who is successful in as close a climate microclimate and soil as your planned project. One way folks might get multiple crops on the same land is using different varieties, the other is by timed pruning, using KNO3 or other chemical means you'll find described in the literature. I'm thinking that two crops/year from the same trees may be hard to achieve. Mango flowering during wet seasons may be subject to poor pollination, disease pressure, or poor flavor. Good luck and keep us informed.
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Thanks. Will check it out. To be sure, multiple crops isn't a goal I have, more a curiosity based on observation this last trip.
Given info suggesting irrigation does help fruit holding, developing size, I may explore irrigation once flower induction naturally occurs. Mainly curious about flower induction period post dry season, to time final pruning.
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I've heard similar stories of people in the tropics with year around mangos from the same tree.
Different parts of the tree flowers at different times.
I guess trees adapted for warm climates can get by with a bit of dry stimulus. (or something else I don't know)
It's not good for a farm, but homeowners enjoy it.
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I have seen some extension information from Ghana on youtube.
This might be a good place to start and a good contact for follow up.
Look for pruning mango and you will find the Ghanaian video.
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I saw a pic once of a Martex mango farm with fields in three different stages: vegetative, flowering, almost mature fruit. That was pretty interesting. They didn't explain how they did it though.
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Chemicals that cause brain cancer
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Mango trees flower and fruit throughout the year in Jamaica.
With the summer months being the heavy season.
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Mango trees flower and fruit throughout the year in Jamaica.
With the summer months being the heavy season.
Thanks Jani. Do you have a defined dry season?
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So my question, for those in the true tropics;
how long does it take for your mangoes to flower once seasonal dry period begins?
What has been your experience with multiple crops?
I guess my answer is 6 weeks since last rain and most stubborn tree is finally flowering. There are two more Zill's varieties multi grafted on this tree but those are not flowering. Label is lost, but I'm 90% sure it's Carrie. The tree is huge by Florida backyard standards, should have produced long time ago.
(http://i64.tinypic.com/b8w8bo.jpg)
I have Rapoza, that is known to flower in rain, and it has been behaving just like that. Can flower anytime of the year. Right now it's holding fruit, and more flowers are coming. It's 91 F or 32 C everyday of the year except in rainy season when cooler.
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DL - this is incredibly useful. Thank you.
Is your home stay project coming along?
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Future
there are trees in yucatan that had their first crop January and have branches flowering and setting their second crop. My observations in the last ten years have shown that this is a recurring situation.
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Future
there are trees in yucatan that had their first crop January and have branches flowering and setting their second crop. My observations in the last ten years have shown that this is a recurring situation.
Thanks JF! Do you have at least anecdotal info on the Yucatán dry season duration? When does it usually start? What Zill (or other non-native) trees do you have there?
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Almanac on web has past weather of the world.
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I use timeanddate.com to view past weathers.
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https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/canc%C3%BAn_mexico_3531673 (https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/canc%C3%BAn_mexico_3531673)
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Mango trees flower and fruit throughout the year in Jamaica.
With the summer months being the heavy season.
Thanks Jani. Do you have a defined dry season?
Yes they do, similar to our dry season in southern FL.