Mallika mango question

[Dangermouse01]

I understand for best taste of the Mallika mango it should be picked at  mature green and put in a cardboard box (the camel dung method is not an option) and kept at room temp to ripen (usually a week or two), and usually ripe from June-July.

How do you know/tell when it is "mature green" and ready to pick?
I have my first ever fruit (and only) on my potted Mallika mango, probably still awhile away from being the "mature green" stage, but would like to know how to tell.
Just wait until there is a hint of color change?
Here is a picture from this morning.

Have also heard that they will ripen on the tree, but want to save that experiment till I have more fruits.

Thanks for any info.
DM

[johnb51]

When I had a Mallika tree (before moving), I didn't pick the fruit green but would let it color up fully before picking.  This didn't affect the quality of the fruit.  So I don't consider it a hard and fast rule that they MUST be picked green. 

[HMHausman]

I have done the same as Johnb51.......I never pick them green as the conventional wisdom suggests.

Harry

[Central Floridave]

The best way I have found to see if they are ripe is a few ways. 

Know the variety and the season.

Squirrels will start scratching the fruit two weeks before they are ready.  They test them also.

Grab the fruit gently and tilt it 45 degrees. If it snaps off easy then it is ready and also if it bleeds white or clear shows.  If it is white sap flowing it is too early (but still will ripen). If it is clear sap then it was ready to pick.   

For Mallika I let them sit on the tree as long as possible.  There is a very fine line with Mallika as if it is picked too early it can be nasty.  Of course, in my opinion, mango is best ripened on the tree and picked the day you eat it.  However, that is difficult to do with rodents/birds.   Thus, picking it hard green has advantage.   

I really like Mallika.  It has a silky complex flavor.  Indian mango are typically like this.   Not everyone likes it however, unless it is perfectly ripe. 

Where the horse dung rumor came in is kind of funny.  I imagine if you ripen green mango in a bag with horseshit it would ripen quickly and install a particular earthy flavor to it....LOL...

[Dangermouse01]

Thanks all, I will just let it ripen on the tree this go.
As for the squirrels, ain't scared of them, I will use mango armor if needed.
Photo from the Sarasota fruit and nut society website:
http://www.sarasotafruitandnutsociety.org/information/edlincages.htm

DM
(yea for post #10)

Mod edit: No hotlinking please. I had to remove the image you posted.

[Tomas]

Hi dm

I picked my first mallika 2 days ago but mostly because I wanted to look on the underside and it felll into my hand.

Tomas

[HMHausman]

Hi dm

I picked my first mallika 2 days ago but mostly because I wanted to look on the underside and it felll into my hand.

Tomas

Tomas, your method, albeit accidental and unintended in this instance, is the very best way to harvest fruits at the peak of perfection.

Harry

[mangomandan]

I have spare goat dung, if that would work 

[JF]

You know what....the first year I followed Crane's  instructions. Last year I just let my Mallikas yellow up and they tasted the same, absolutely delicious!

JF