The Tropical Fruit Forum

So I stumbled on a post today that has me all excited.
I have a couple of pond apples and lots of seeds but nothing to do with them.
Then I leaned there are edible fruit, great ones at that that can be grafted on to pond apple and the old grey cells started buzzing.

I will like to try to graft on to either seedling or mature pond apple and need scion or bud wood of anything that can be grafted on pond apple with some likelihood of success.

Obviously I will prefer free if possible but am willing to pay for this experiment, the excitement of considering the possibility of increasing fruit trees in my yard is worth something to me.

By the way, if you would be devastated to see a good scion not become a plant, hold on to it.  I am not expert at grafting but I am working at it.  Success with mango and avocado so far.  Would like to add something else to my list.

It would be awesome discovering a great tasting pond apple. I've read of pond apple being used as root stock for other annona species for people living in flood-prone areas.

What can be grafted on a pond apple?
I have a couple and couple like to try a graft on one mature tree or on a seedling of one.

Cut it now.

Quote from: Orkine on June 02, 2017, 08:16:16 PM

Let me know how you exercise goes.

Looks like the vote is in.  Not one solitary vote to keep.
The tree goes.

Now the strategy is when - so that I can graft something (or somethings) to recover the yard space.

Should I cut it immediately? or wait.  If I cut now, is there a chance I can get new growth to graft on to?

Now to the other half of my question.

If I wish to replace with a cocktail tree, what three (no more than 4) cultivars should I try to graft on that have compatible characteristics?

Are there any opinions on making mango cocktail trees first, does this work?  Does one cultivar overpower the others and get dominant with time?

I am considering this option because I am running out of space that I can use.

So many questions.

PS note I said try to graft, that is because I have only ever had one successful mango graft in more than 10 tries (ok more than 20 so success isn't guaranteed.
 

Taking the chainsaw to mine this weekend. I too believed the hype. Lousy bearer, vigorous leggy grower, and a total waste of premium yard space. Condo mango my big toe. As an experiment a few years ago, and before knowing any better, I top-worked a seedling tree in my neighbor's yard with Tommy Atkins, Lancetilla and Keitt on separate but equally spaced branches. The Lancetilla outgrew the Tommy Atkins by leaps and bounds and periodically had to be chopped back to control growth. The Keitt branch was left in the dust.

So to top work, what do I do and when.
I know I will cut it down - how tall of a stump?
I know there will be regrowth - is there a best time to cut so the regrowth can be grafted on to?
I assume I can get bud wood from some here but when typically is scion material available?
I will like to put two or three different cultivars on if possible, is the a compatible set of good mangoes with similar growth characteristics?
If making a cocktail three can they bear at different times?

So many questions so little time

All suggestions welcome.
 

Mauritius is the most reliable producer of fruit. Some say that Mauritius has a very slight cinnamon-like taste. If you only have enough room for 1 tree and you really want a crop every year, Mauritius is probably the best variety for you. This variety is rather small, both the fruit and tree size.
I've read conflicting opinions about the taste of the Mauritius variety. Apparently the flavor has a noticeable difference from the other lychee varieties, kind of slightly sub-acid taste. Some people have said the flavor is very good to excellent, even that it is their favorite lychee variety they have tasted. Other people have said it is the only lychee variety they don't like.

Emperor has the largest fruit size, up to 1½ to 1¾ inch diameter, but its flavor is a little bland/insipid compared to other lychee varieties.

No Mai Tsze is supposedly the best tasting, but has small fruit size and is not the most reliable at producing fruit every year.

Brewster is an all-around good variety, but not really exceptional in any single category, the tree of this variety can grow quite tall so it may not be as suitable for small yards. This is the most common commercial variety in America, and I think the fruit exterior of Brewster has a more attractive appearance than the other varieties, smooth and bright red.

Kaimana is supposed to be an all-around good variety, with great taste and large fruit size, combined with a 'chicken tongue' seed so the fruit contains more edible meat. From what I have seen, Kaimana can get pretty large fruit sizes also, and may possibly contain more edible meat than the Emperor variety (it has a smaller seed). This variety would be a lot more popular if its fruit production were more reliable. From what I have read, there will be many years where it will not produce.

Some lychee connoisseurs are real fans of Hak Ip, but others think the taste of this variety is too "medicinal". It is prized for the firm texture of its flesh and the lack of juiciness.

Mauritius, Emperor, and Hak Ip are "mountain-type" varieties, so the trees do not grow as big and may have slightly more cold and drought tolerance than other lychee varieties (though all lychees need consistent water in dry climates).

So I have both a Mauritius and an Emperor.  They have never fruited in the same year for me.  My memory of the Emperor fruit is more pleasant than of the Mauritius.  I also recall more tiny seeds (chicken tongue) in a bigger fruit.  I must get them both to fruit in the same year and compare.  Bottom line though, I liked them both and happy to have them both.  Now just to get my emperor to fruit more than once every 3 to 4 years (looks like this year is one of those years).  I expect fierce competition with the birds.

I have a Lancentilla tree that hag grown very well.  It has flowered in the last few years and held fruit but not to ripeness on the tree.
It started gang busters this year, two flushes each setting fruit but has dropped most.  A good many in the last day with some high winds.

My question is this.
Is this fruit any good? 
The size is impressive and the few I have tried were very tart, I believe more to do with me not knowing when to pick and how to ripen.  I am however trainable and can learn but curious what you all think about this particular variety.  I got it for the novelty, but you cant eat novelty
I am considering getting rid of it so I can put another tree in its place but I don't want to bail early on this tree.

So, I'd like you thoughts and suggestions.



See Picture of Fruit.

I just got home and saw easily one hundred or more mangos under my trees.  Some small, others more mature and some likely ready to pick.
I didn't have to wait long.  A gust of wind and another dropped.

Anyone else having this problem.  It has been super winder here in South Florida today and its raining mangos.  It had not rained in a while, not sure if this makes things worse.

What looked like a good year is going bust, so sad.

Share your experience and if you have suggested actions for the future do share.  Not for this crop but perhaps for a future crop.

Thank you guys for the info and the background info. I think we are all obligated to plant one and report our findings up the chain of command in a show of appreciation to all of those who worked hard to create these new and delicious additions that brighten our lives.

Agree, just got mine (Thanks to bsbullie), now I plant, wait and occasionally report in. This will be M-4-West-Jupiter   

Curious to hear how yours does so please post update if you have one.

Sorry, I am exposing my lack of "currentness" here.
This is the first I am hearing of the M4 mango.  I thought it was a joke, M is for Mango, like A is for Apple but after reading all your posts I am curious and interested enough to want to try this.  Are these available in any South FL nursery yet?

Anyone has good guava for south Florida?

So far so good.
Tree seems to be holding up.

I am in south Florida, West Palm Beach area.

I want a good guava tree that does well in the area and makes good fruits.
Anyone local have a tree they are willing to share a cutting from.

PM me with your variety and terms.

Orkine

Thanks, I ended up doing something similar.

I went by Pepboys and bought a come along yesterday.

Was able to get rope, anchors etc from Home Depot.

Used the come along to upright the tree and tied it down.

Unfortunately one of two main branches was sitting in water and all the fruit was already turning brown.  I cut that branch off. 

I will monitor closely and hope the tree survives.

I hope you stood your tree up This tree is 20 foot are more full of fruit it was laying on the ground . Used a come a long and stood it up . Will let the fruit ripen  then cut it back and stand it up the rest of the way