The Tropical Fruit Forum

Sapote...they do giant air layers with mango here...4" diameter limbs and more.  As for the tap root, that thing is cut with probably all grafted trees at the least.  Tap roots on durians are removed not long after germination and right before grafting in most cases.

The weather/temps have not been bad lately and as I stated, I've been doing this at different times throughout the year.  There are some people doing these types of grafts, but normally on their own trees.  I always see the vids of the process, but not many "after" vids.  So I have no idea of their success rate.  Also, as mentioned earlier, the only trees you will find for sale have been approach grafted or if looking for much larger specimens...air layered.  Coincidence?  No idea.  Approach grafting has a high success rate, but it takes much more time and effort.  There has to be more to the story than that.  I'm just at a loss for what it is.  I grafted mangos all the time back in the states and never had such issues.  You give 19 trees to someone who has never grafted before and they will unlikely come away with 19 losses.  Ego my ass.  This is a kick to the groin! 

I've been grafting for many years and consider myself to be a competent grafter.  Ever since coming to Thailand, my success rate with cleft, veneer, and bark grafting has been piss poor...and that's being generous.  Approach grafts seem to do quite well though.  I've grafted all thru the year in different conditions, sanitize my tools, cover and/or no cover the grafts. I also made sure each graft was as spot on as you can get and even had the confidence to back each of them up.  All a waste of time and effort.  I'm stumped, embarrassed, and pissed.   I have never had such issues back in the states.  To give you some context as to how bad the failure rate is...in the last month or two, I've done at least 19 mango grafts...cleft, veneer, bark.  All 19 failed.  I mean, shit, that almost seems impossible to me.

So will just continue the approach grafts going forward.  Approach grafts are low risk.  They can be a huge pain in the ass...as you can see in the pics.  There never seems to be a simple approach graft.  They always require platforms or tying to a branch.  And always in an awkward position to do the grafting.  It's slow and full of effort.

I was checking with a few people here and for this time period, southern Thailand is usually best.  But with all the rain, they say durian could be found in many areas for a while.  Here is what I've gotten back so far:

Betong.  This year the season came earlier than usual. It is difficult to predict durian it will end early or not.  This is owner farm in songkla.  https://www.facebook.com/abdulsamad.madseng

From Lindsay herself:  Songkhla, Pattani, Phattalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, even Samui / Koh Phangan

The above is mainly for durian.  I'm not sure about mangos...especially anything other than the shittty nam doc mai.  I'm not a fan of Thai mangos, but it's possible you may find some others on the streets or some markets. 

What would they have done if you had already planted all of the seeds?  By the timing, is looks like you got a pass around the same time as the inspector showing up.  This is not supposed to be how this works.  Hard to say how things would have gone if you had already planted them.

Yes...Tong is a buddy of mine here in Thailand and is 100% legit.  He's in China right now visiting many different tropical locations, farms, and gardens.  The fruit does look and sound great.  Hopefully he will be able to propagate it once he returns.

Great job dude!  Keep the pics coming.

I would say that the only ones that have any chance at all are those that have buds.  Doesn't hurt to try.

Congrats

The scions as well as graft side rotted all to hell.  I had the scions wrapped as well as plastic bags covering the grafts...which was to keep moisture OFF the darn grafts.  This has happened with other grafts besides mango.  Going to keep the bags off for the next grafts.  Either that or not wrap the scion and use only the bag over the graft.  Not sure what is going on.

I've had a ton of grafts fail because of moisture inside the wrap.

Everything looks great.  Excellent job on all the grafting.

Brian...golden nugget is what I fruited in my greenhouse.  Flavor was outstanding, but the soft texture was off-putting.  However...to be fair...I was not expecting the soft texture so was not prepared for it.  I don't think my wife was either.  Now after having soft fruits like this such as marang, keledang, and such, maybe it would be a better experience?  It is certainly a difference eating experience when compared to the drier, crispier fleshed varieties.  Since you are ready for the texture, I believe you will have a better go at it than I first did. 

There are little "nurseries" here and there along the southern route and on west end is Jardines Enadas.  Brian is correct about the Ag inspections...and they definitely take it serious.  The best way is to just Priority mail the trees back yourself.  Bringing something from Florida shouldn't be an issue.