This thread is great. Need some help with my young mangoes. Recently purchased the following from FL on turpentine repotted in gritty mix 1.5 months ago (in the pic from leftish to right):
Maha Chanok (26”)
Lemon Zest (24”)
Sweet Tart (18”)
Coconut Cream (19”)
All but ST seem to be flowering at the top of the main stem. Before the flowering, my plan was to let these grow to 2-3’ then cut the trunk just below the ring to encourage 3-4 scaffolds nicely spaced. But, now i’m not sure what to do with the panicle. Night time temps are 50-55* and rising. Do i go ahead and let them flower and remove pea sized fruitlets...then cut panicle? Or, cut all or a portion of the panicles now? When i do, cut it at the panicle base but above the ring of green leaves? Will the trunk continue to grow straight up from the cut? I have lots of fruit trees but these are my first mangoes and would like to take the best approach for health of the plant.
Second matter, i understand the turpentine rootstock issue. I’m in zone 10b/21...very sandy, rocky soil that i amend lightly. 10+ hours of daily summer sun with reflective heat from the ground. Hoping conditions are such that these thrive...even on the turpentine. I understand the ST and LZ are vigorous...what about MC and CC?
Lastly, my plan was to leave in the pots until perhaps next Spring...then move to the ground. My biggest fear are the Santa Ana winds (50-60mph at my location). Is that a decent strategy or would you get them in the ground sooner (ie this growing season and stake the hell outta them)?
I’ve read the entire thread and searched around and i couldn’t find the same issues. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Bonus topic - i have makok and alano sapodillas...trying to find a silas woods...what are my best bets here in SoCal?
Sincerest thanks!
db