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Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Carbo on April 22, 2012, 11:59:34 AM

Title: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: Carbo on April 22, 2012, 11:59:34 AM
After 3 years in the ground my Cogshall has finally pushed forth some fruit, nine to be exact.  All are about small fist size right now and appear to be keepers come summertime.  Problem is, five of them are hanging off of one bottom branch.  They are barely off the ground as tbe branch is noticeably bent under the weight.  Might the branch snap?  Can I somehow support it?  My concern is while trying to support the branch that I accidentally snap it off.  :'( 
That, plus the proximity to the ground makes these mangoes easy pickins' for the local rats, racoons, and ants.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: bsbullie on April 22, 2012, 12:04:27 PM
After 3 years in the ground my Cogshall has finally pushed forth some fruit, nine to be exact.  All are about small fist size right now and appear to be keepers come summertime.  Problem is, five of them are hanging off of one bottom branch.  They are barely off the ground as tbe branch is noticeably bent under the weight.  Might the branch snap?  Can I somehow support it?  My concern is while trying to support the branch that I accidentally snap it off.  :'( 
That, plus the proximity to the ground makes these mangoes easy pickins' for the local rats, racoons, and ants.  Any suggestions?
Yes, you can support the branch.  A Stake/pole with a "Y" structure will work (the branch sits in the "Y" and the stake/pole in the ground).  If yo are fearful of vermin getting to the fruit, you can make mesh bags and wrap the fruit.
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: Carbo on April 22, 2012, 12:11:10 PM
I already wrapped the mangoes in screening material so I think they'll be fine.  It's just seeing them sitting three inches off the ground while the branch that supports them is bent like a bow.  And since these mangoes will continue to grow they'll be on the ground in a few weeks, I'm sure.  I was thinking of tying up the branch with a piece of old nylon panty hose.  But I'm concerned at just how flexible that branch will be as I'm tying it.
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: zands on April 22, 2012, 12:13:02 PM
After 3 years in the ground my Cogshall has finally pushed forth some fruit, nine to be exact.  All are about small fist size right now and appear to be keepers come summertime.  Problem is, five of them are hanging off of one bottom branch.  They are barely off the ground as tbe branch is noticeably bent under the weight.  Might the branch snap?  Can I somehow support it?  My concern is while trying to support the branch that I accidentally snap it off.  :'( 
That, plus the proximity to the ground makes these mangoes easy pickins' for the local rats, racoons, and ants.  Any suggestions?

You have Muscovy ducks there? They won't eat them but will nudge and peck off mangoes to amuse themselves. They did it to me. So....elevate your mangoes with a pole or piece of wood and some twine.
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: puglvr1 on April 22, 2012, 12:58:06 PM
I've used Rebar and Electrical conduit to tie my mangoes to it...you just have to be very careful when you do it. My Cogshall had the same problem last year...my tree is very short so the fruits were literally inches off the ground so I had to raise it and tied it up. I'm going to have to do the same thing this year.

These were from Last summer.
(http://s7.postimage.org/594ztsyvb/Cogshall_front_5_22_11_003.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/594ztsyvb/)

(http://s7.postimage.org/5aexn80p3/Cogshall_mango_front_5_1_11_2.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5aexn80p3/)
es

Meant to say you can also tie them to one of your larger branches... I did this to a few of them too but ran out of branches I could use so I had to improvise,lol...
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: Carbo on April 22, 2012, 01:12:31 PM
I did the same thing with the screening today, (and thanks for that suggestion last year!).  It's pouring and windy as heck outside right now, but later on or tomorrow I'm going to have to do something to elevate those fruits.
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: puglvr1 on April 22, 2012, 01:22:27 PM
You're welcome!! Someone on GW gave me the great idea! I believe it was "Trini". She used the hard wire I think but thought I would try the window screening since it was SO much easier on the hands to work with.

Good idea waiting for the wind to die down. Definitely don't want to do any" tying" with this crazy wind!!
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: FloridaGreenMan on April 22, 2012, 03:27:55 PM
Squirrels get a big laugh at that screening material and will eat right through it. Been there done that. It's rather useless.  Racoons will think the screening is a condiment!  The best and easiest thing to use is the empty strawberry and grape containers. The foto actually shows Cogshalls from my tree protected. Even with these, squirrels have chewed thru it but it stops them 80% of the time and will also stop bird pecks also.
         
(http://s14.postimage.org/ddfgasxml/Fruit_Conf2011_82.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ddfgasxml/)

Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: Dangermouse01 on April 22, 2012, 06:45:34 PM
(http://s14.postimage.org/ddfgasxml/Fruit_Conf2011_82.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ddfgasxml/)
Brilliant idea! Gonna have to try that one.
DM
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: puglvr1 on April 22, 2012, 07:14:22 PM
FGM, I couldn't believed it worked for me last year either. All I can is I'm glad you're squirrels didn't warn my squirrels,lol...I was very fortunate every single fruit I bagged last year with the mesh was untouched. I guess I was very lucky! I'm hoping my luck will hold again this year.

That's a great idea...I guess I need to start saving mine...Thanks for the great tip!
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: FloridaGreenMan on April 22, 2012, 08:36:27 PM
FGM, I couldn't believed it worked for me last year either. All I can is I'm glad you're squirrels didn't warn my squirrels,lol...I was very fortunate every single fruit I bagged last year with the mesh was untouched. I guess I was very lucky! I'm hoping my luck will hold again this year.

That's a great idea...I guess I need to start saving mine...Thanks for the great tip!

This seems to be a learned animal behavior. I think the screen worked for a short time when I first used it but afterwards they ate it up!   
Title: Re: Low Hanging Fruit
Post by: FloridaGreenMan on April 22, 2012, 08:37:20 PM
FGM, I couldn't believed it worked for me last year either. All I can is I'm glad you're squirrels didn't warn my squirrels,lol...I was very fortunate every single fruit I bagged last year with the mesh was untouched. I guess I was very lucky! I'm hoping my luck will hold again this year.

That's a great idea...I guess I need to start saving mine...Thanks for the great tip!

This seems to be a learned animal behavior. I think the screen worked for a short time when I first used it but afterwards they ate it up!