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Messages - ben mango

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1
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: The plant microbiome and plant health pyramid
« on: January 31, 2026, 01:25:05 PM »
Quote from: agroventuresperu on April 01, 2025, 11:26:58 AM
Quote from: roblack on April 01, 2025, 10:25:02 AM
The main point I'm getting is every disease and pest problem is related to some kind of deficiency.

I've heard that from Dr. Dykstra, but not sure if I'm totally convinced. I emailed him once regarding leaf cutter ants and he still insisted they only will go after low brix plants, but I think that's bs, because the formicide baits are all based on citrus fruit pulp to make the bait "sweet". Homemade baits are often sugary treats as well. My argument was that the ants aren't directly feeding on the plant like plant pests do, but are using the plant material as a substrate to cultivate their own fungal gardens. So, on the contrary, the healthier the plant material, the more nutrient rich and healthy their fungus, right?

I think it has more to do with absence of certain plant secondary metabolites. However, some species of plants are genetically inferior when it comes to defensive/anti-fungal compounds. I have a list in my notebook of my observations of the different plant species here that are susceptible or not to the ants. Some species I've never seen touched, even very unhealthy (probably vey low brix) individuals of those species.

I’m not convinced either. I’m pretty sure the coconut rhinoceros beetle is a problem wherever it’s been introduced. It doesn’t seem to impact only the palms where soil might be lacking in nutrients etc it seems to attack any palm it wants.

In a somewhat related topic, anyone know anything about the mango stem borer and how to best control it ? I have seen it wipe out some mango trees in Kona.

2
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Potted Julie mango tree issue
« on: January 05, 2026, 04:32:16 PM »
It seems to be suffering from lack of nutrition, and possibly drainage issues.if you’re making and using your own soil mix you have to include some sort of fertilizer, compost and/ or earthworm castings ie Something that will feed the plant. Perlite, Peat moss and sand are practically inert meaning they won’t supply the necessary nutrients to the plant.

3
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: 2026 tropical fruit & fruit goals
« on: January 01, 2026, 01:32:45 PM »
hopefully get into some land, start my own project
Get back to Se Asia / Borneo

4
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: COLOMBIAN SEEDS FOR SALE! ANNONA, PASSIFLORA, POUTERIA, EUGENIA.
« on: December 22, 2025, 01:46:43 AM »
Way cool, Can you describe the flavor on the different annonas?

5
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Fruiting Can Be Dangerous
« on: December 22, 2025, 01:43:56 AM »
That ackee? Massive tree

6
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Mango Season 2026
« on: December 06, 2025, 02:30:27 AM »
Quote from: roblack on December 05, 2025, 02:51:42 PM
Asparagus anyone?



Ceci Love getting weird. Cut some budwood in summer for a friend (didn't take), but I am rewarded with a panicle cluster.
m
 
CL seems to be a little challenging for grafts to take for some reason. I took about 6 or so , thought for sure they were going to take and ended up only getting 1/6

7
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Want to add a Thai mango to my collection. Sia Siam possibly
« on: December 05, 2025, 01:02:09 AM »
Okrung. Can taste like sugar cane.

8
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: WANTED - Looking for wild Borneo Durian seeds
« on: December 01, 2025, 02:55:10 PM »
That is graveolens. Hybrids are really the best, graveolens have a little amount of flesh, same with dulcis, which has red exterior. I’ve heard it is durio season now in Sabah,  graveolens can also take many years to fruit (20+)

9
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: AeAe
« on: November 20, 2025, 02:44:08 PM »
Nice, Brad. Those look plump enough to me. Try cooking these when ripe. I think Hawaiians ate this banana as a cooking plantain more than for fresh eating but I could be wrong

10
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: New Pineapple Variety: Dole Colada Royale
« on: November 16, 2025, 01:52:05 PM »
Sun-tan lotion coconut flavor? :o not sure I would like it. Glad to see it’s non-gmo  but I wonder what’s holding them back from releasing a truly white fleshed pine

11
Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade / Re: Blackie Mango
« on: November 10, 2025, 12:46:15 AM »
Why do they call it blackie? Nice looking trees

12
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Free persimmon fruit alert
« on: November 09, 2025, 11:39:46 PM »
There’s an old American persimmon tree at Sacramento capitol arboretum as well that might be going off right now. Massive tree

13
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Green Mango that Taste Good Ripe or Any Mango that Taste Good Unripe?
« on: October 28, 2025, 01:16:00 PM »
Brahm Kai meu

14
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: paw-paw planting (asimina triloba) outdoors in Pennsylvania
« on: October 26, 2025, 12:15:12 AM »
it is too late for paw paw in Pa now. Usually ripe in September. There is a paw paw fest in York county every year it’s in mid Sept. https://hornfarmcenter.org/pawpawfest/

15
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Prainea limpato grafted onto jackfruit
« on: October 16, 2025, 12:53:19 PM »
Way cool

16
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Does anyone reccognise this fruiting bush?
« on: October 14, 2025, 01:49:33 PM »
Ugni molinae (says Google image capture)

17
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Chupa-Chupa (Quararibea cordata)
« on: October 12, 2025, 02:00:17 PM »
The majority of chupa chupa I came across in Costa Rica were bland. The one time I tried it from Frankie’s it was amazing. His is a named variety called Dulce from Ecuador (if I remember correctly). Like a lot of fruits I think it may be best to grow these from selected varieties

18
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Japanese peach pineapple slips? CANADA
« on: August 24, 2025, 02:04:33 PM »
I don’t think putting your message in caps is gonna increase your chances of getting it

19
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: What are your top early and very early mango varieties
« on: August 21, 2025, 07:28:54 PM »
Ah ping is definitely a vigorous grower. It will get out of control if you don’t tame it. Usually has 2 flushes , early and mid season.very good mango

20
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Best tasting and most reliable Mangos for Southern California
« on: August 20, 2025, 01:05:36 PM »
Really wish we could change the name cac to something else. It literally translates to “cock” in Vietnamese.

21
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Not enough Durian Discussion
« on: August 20, 2025, 01:00:47 PM »
I don’t yet, Peter. I was told the tree was planted by a fellow named David Finkelstein (sp?) perhaps we should honor him and name it the Finkelstein

22
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Not enough Durian Discussion
« on: August 19, 2025, 03:01:23 PM »
Im about to attempt my first durian grafts here pretty soon from a seedling tree In south Kona , elevation about 1,000 feet.

Here is a picture of the fruit from the tree which is probably around 25 years old. The tree is almost done fruiting now but it dropped around 100 fruits this season. About 8 a day during its peak of 2 or so weeks. It’s interesting that just now trees on the other side of the island have started to flower and fruit as the season here comes to an end.













23
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Mango varieties worth planting and those to stay away from
« on: August 18, 2025, 09:20:13 PM »
A big factor for me is wanting to plant visually appealing mango for market. If anyone can comment on that, what newly Introduced varieties are pretty as well as tasty and reliably productive ? Seems many of the zill varieties are too ugly for commercial production, even despite them having other issues. maybe ceci love, orange sherb, fruit punch and honey kiss are a few that would make the cut for commercial production ?

24
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Re: Keeping rambutan happy in pots ?
« on: August 18, 2025, 09:04:48 PM »
Thanks everyone for the replies. I like the idea of using coco fiber and the plants I bet would like that. My goals are not to grow rambutan in maturity in pots but even to keep them happy in nursery pots until they get planted in the ground or are sold. Last year I planted well over 100 and most died. The round I planted this year are starting to sprout and thinking i will transplant into a locally sourced mix of the following - 1 parts cinder, 1 part potting soil and 1 part compost.

25
Tropical Fruit Discussion / Keeping rambutan happy in pots ?
« on: August 12, 2025, 12:59:03 PM »
Germination is fine but after a couple weeks they start to look chlorotic and slowly start to die. I’ve noticed they don’t like regular potting soil or heavy/ locally made soil either. haven’t completely given up on them but just wondering if anyone has had similar issues and able to create a soil mix that keeps rambutan happy in pots. Any recommendations are appreciated

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