The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Orkine on January 20, 2023, 06:03:44 PM

Title: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Orkine on January 20, 2023, 06:03:44 PM
So the chill from late December and this past week has started the mango flowering in my yard, Yay!.  There is only one problem, I can't find one fly in my yard.  This would usually be a very pleasing condition but I could use some good mango pollinators right now (or perhaps in two weeks).

I am starting to think I have to go get some fish carcass to strategically place in my yard (so I wont smell it unless the wind blows in the wrong direction).

I expect I will just wait and see if they arrive with the mature panicles.

For those of you in south Florida, what pollinator(s) are you seeing?  Is the temperature right to have decent pollination?  Any strategies or hints on attracting mango pollinators?

By the way, I do have some bees buzzing around and one or two may stray on to a mango but the flies in the past are the major mango pollinators in my yard.
 
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: roblack on January 20, 2023, 06:14:04 PM
You got me thinking, this might be a good year for fish carcasses. Very few flies around here as well, and plenty of fish.
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: FloridaManDan on January 20, 2023, 06:27:12 PM
I have plenty of flies in my yard lol welcome to take them. But for real, I'd say you can attract them without stinking the place up with fish. My closed compost bin works well, I occasionally open it.
My compost is also really hot, which I think helps; I've loaded it this past year with everything including some meat and fish (I know thats not recommended but it balances out fine).
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Honest Abe on January 20, 2023, 08:29:22 PM
I will supply any necessary fish carcasses. Pickup only.
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: fliptop on January 20, 2023, 08:37:28 PM
I *think* I've seen pollinators on my Sugar Loaf and Pickering blooms. I'll pay better attention. I did catch these love bugs in the act on my Madame Francis bloom. The tree is new to me in a seven-gallon pot, and it will be hard to not let it hold onto at least one fruit . . .

(https://i.postimg.cc/DWt2xph7/IMG-20230118-165350786-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DWt2xph7)
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Orkine on January 21, 2023, 10:44:57 AM
OK, I take it back.  I should have said I had not seen one fly yet!

I was out this morning and it appeared nature was saying "not true, my friend, not true"
Not only did I see flies (not in large numbers yet) but I also saw bees up in the mango canopy instead on the flowers below the tree.  There was even a pair of love bugs.

So I believe I was just a bit early and should wait for the flowers to open before I declare a paucity of pollinators.  The new mantra should be when the flowers open, they will come.


A lingering thought, maybe I don't need dead fish, or perhaps I should hedge my bets. 
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Orkine on January 21, 2023, 10:48:08 AM
I will supply any necessary fish carcasses. Pickup only.

Careful, I may take you up on that with a cooler or two to get fish carcasses.  Perhaps not for flies attraction and multiplication but to bury under some trees in the yard, or to make this homemade fish emulsion fertilizer I came across some time ago.
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: pagnr on January 21, 2023, 03:33:35 PM
Over here in Australia, Syzygium flowering attracted heaps of pollinator flies, translucent green, in large numbers.
Maybe planting other nectar sources or native plants that the flies follow would help lead onto the Mangoes.
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Orkine on January 21, 2023, 10:58:15 PM
I have lots of flowering plants that attract lots of bees.  In my experience from previous seasons, the bees ignore the mango instead busy themselves with the other plants.  I was surprised and pleased to see some bees in the mango canopy this morning.
Flies in past seasons have done most of my mango pollination.  You can expect to find them all over the mango panicles, exclusively visiting mango to the exclusion of everything else.

Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: fliptop on January 23, 2023, 02:58:48 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/ygpvGp2j/IMG-20230123-102013589-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ygpvGp2j)
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: bovine421 on January 23, 2023, 03:27:04 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/ygpvGp2j/IMG-20230123-102013589-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ygpvGp2j)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TLq50YM9/20230121-124517.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLq50YM9)
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: fliptop on January 24, 2023, 12:24:29 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/zLZKPQNw/IMG-20230124-102203024-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zLZKPQNw)
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: JR561 on January 24, 2023, 01:51:28 PM
Tons of flies on the few flowers that opened this week.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SXRGYp0N/46-AE30-A7-83-C6-4-F51-A162-8-EFFDF7-DAFEB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXRGYp0N)
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: fliptop on January 24, 2023, 04:48:48 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/hQbJ58C1/IMG-20230124-163429949-PORTRAIT-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hQbJ58C1)

Trouble in Paradise
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: 561MangoFanatic on January 24, 2023, 06:38:58 PM
I also don’t have many flies or bees but there are a couple. I have notice that the sap/nectar that’s usually at the end of the flowers are not as predominant as in previous years and blooms and so the flowers aren’t as fragrant as usual either.. could this possibly be what Alex refers to as more “male” flowers on the panicle or could this be from drier climate conditions??
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: gnappi on January 25, 2023, 03:03:13 PM
I was thinking the same thing. Ordinarily I'd have dozens of flies about as my dog poops and buries it like a cat. I don't find her poop very easily (though my shoes do) but the flies can. Flies actually make my pickup routine easier and in a weird way, I miss them :-)


Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: 561MangoFanatic on January 26, 2023, 08:49:12 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/8j9JNjrB/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8j9JNjrB)


(https://i.postimg.cc/8sc2XQ3Y/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8sc2XQ3Y)


Lots more bees with the recent rain.. they’re going crazy!!

Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Orkine on January 29, 2023, 07:41:50 PM
... and as quickly as they came, the flies are gone again.
Something is fishy not right.

I think "fishy" would bring flies so lets stay with "not right", yes?
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: kapps on January 29, 2023, 09:39:58 PM
I saw some flies and a bunch of love bugs on mine today  :o
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: 561MangoFanatic on January 29, 2023, 09:51:29 PM
... and as quickly as they came, the flies are gone again.
Something is fishy not right.

I think "fishy" would bring flies so lets stay with "not right", yes?


Quite! I hope you have better luck ahead
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: bovine421 on January 30, 2023, 06:28:16 AM
Since this thread started. I have observed that because of the cool weather there doesn't seem to be the level of pollinators that I desire. I been studying the squirrels and they're nesting but there is a couple encroaching upon the green zone. Potential fly factors. In the short term since I work with country fried PPR folks. I put in a request for fishes heads. Received in short order. Then requested from a fellow grower who was coming by to bring me 1/2 cup fish emulsion. I now have flies
(https://i.postimg.cc/5YfsnxMT/20230127-073746.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YfsnxMT)
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Orkine on February 12, 2023, 02:19:20 PM
The flies have not been abundant but I have seen a few here and there.
I have read that wind can pollinate mango, and if that is the case, I believe my mango should be well and truly pollinated.  It has been supper windy and there is pollen all over the place.  Thick enough on the car to write on.  It is like Harmattan season in the old country, you call it Saharan dust in the USA, when fine sand from the Sahara covers everything and you can write in the dust coating a couple of hours after wiping a surface down.  OK Obviously pollen is limited and unlike the sand would run out at some point but you get the gist.

Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: roblack on February 12, 2023, 02:24:39 PM
Have been seeing small green flies and honey bees on our mango blooms.
Title: Re: Where are the flies - Mango pollinator (pollination) talk
Post by: Orkine on February 12, 2023, 04:15:35 PM
Since this thread started. I have observed that because of the cool weather there doesn't seem to be the level of pollinators that I desire. I been studying the squirrels and they're nesting but there is a couple encroaching upon the green zone. Potential fly factors. In the short term since I work with country fried PPR folks. I put in a request for fishes heads. Received in short order. Then requested from a fellow grower who was coming by to bring me 1/2 cup fish emulsion. I now have flies
(https://i.postimg.cc/5YfsnxMT/20230127-073746.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YfsnxMT)
Good for you, I came close to pulling the trigger on the fish waste solution but saw enough flies to decide I didn't need to, that was before those flies disappeared leaving just a few stragglers.