Wow, did you build your own greenhouse?  I've considered doing the same, particularly after I just lost 6/8 of my Mango trees to our last cold snap.   

I'd recommend vigorous varieties as Mangoes don't grow super well here.  La Verne Nursery is now shipping a few varieties on Manila rootstock.  Haden, Gold Nugget, and Timotayo are available.  Valencia Pride, Glenn, Alphonso are also good choices if you can find them grafted or find Budwood and graft yourself. 

I really didn't want any more damage to my mango trees!

Simon,

I noticed that all of my mango flower panicles were droopy this morning, after the frost.  Does that mean they will die and the trees will likely re-flower?  I haven't had a frost like this for 3 years.  Also, some leaves turned partly brown.

Cyndie

I had my local nursery check with La Verne Nursery to see what mango trees they will be grafting this spring.  It seems they will only have Keitt, Haden, and Gold Nugget (on Manila rootstock).  Can any southern California mango growers suggest which of these is best suited for California (i.e. most vigorous)?  Does anyone know why more common Ca varieties such as Valencia Pride, Alphonso are not being grafted by La Verne this year?

I also think I read that Glenn is a vigorous grower in Ca, and would make a good choice.  What about Kent, is it Vigorous in CA if grown on manila?

Thanks!
Cyndie

The only place that I know of that sells Mango trees on Manila rootstock is Mimosa Nursery in Anaheim or LA.  Anyone know of any others?  The problem with Mimosa is not everything is labeled.  I am afraid to buy from them.

Nam Doc Mai.   2 yrs in the ground. Flowers constantly.  Didn't expect this with NDM as I've seen mature NDM grown pretty close to me.



Valencia Pride.  2 yrs in the ground. Thought I could get away with a small tree since it's known to be a vigorous grower.  Made the mistake on accident of letting this fruit in the first year (Didn't see the fruit until it was too late) and it has been stunted and has grown very slowly as a result.  I hope it will recover.



Well that's it besides a Manila which I am growing and will eventually top work.   I wanted to share so we can all learn from each other to see what Mangoes are growing well in San Diego. I am at 700 ft elevation, 9B. 

Cyndie

Here are pictures of my trees.  Some ordered from Florida, some purchased at Champa Nursery, some from Exotica.  All on Turpentine, I believe.

My Phoenix.  First year in the ground, planted in March.  Growing vigorously, no flowering this year.



Ice Cream.  In ground 2 years.  Slow growing as expected.  Has flowered but also grows vegetatively.  Not my worst performer.



Lemon Meringue. My best sized tree.  2 yrs in the ground.  Only grows vegetatively, no flowering so far (which is good).



More coming....

Cyndie

Quick question- what do you recommend if we already planted the grafted mangoes from Florida (on turpentine) in the ground.  They were planted this season and last season in early spring.  Varieties are LZ, cotton candy, Phoenix, fruit punch, mallika, PPK, ice cream.  We definitely noticed the propensity of these plants to flower.  Most flowered vigorously.  Last year we made the mistake of cutting of the flowering stalks and they flowered again.  This year, we left them on and are painstakingly removing the pea sized fruit one by one. The plants seem to be putting on vegetative growth, albeit slowly.  Will this continue?  If we are are okay with slow growth, can we keep the trees as They are?  Or should we buy manilla rootstocks and graft them all to make sure that we don't lose the trees altogether?  Then, keep those for scions in pots and do what you recommend starting with planted manilla rootstocks?

Thanks in advance for your mango tree growing wisdom!

Thanks!  I went to the Hillcrest FM today and got some Pierce cherimoyas.  Usually, all you can find at other FM's are Booth and Dr. White.  Booth has good flavor but often very seedy to the point of not being worth it.

Anybody use heavy duty fabric pots for container grown fruit trees?  Brands you like?  I'm wondering if roots grow out of them eventually and if they dry out too quickly.  Seems like a lightweight and inexpensive option.  If not, what type (and size) container would you use for a permanent pot for a Cherimoya tree that you plan to keep small?  And, where do you buy from?

Thanks.  I am already a member of the North County San Diego CRFG.  They subtropical scion exchange has been pretty small in past 2 years.  I also asked for budwood on their facebook page with no response.  I will try Bonita Creek Nursery.