Kathy K-3 Is it that good?

[loquataddict]

     I saw a topic discussing this and was going to respond but a message came up that it was an old topic and better to start a new one.  My question is, has anyone grown this tree for 6 years or much longer and can describe the tree size, production, and flavor. Obviously growing zone and care can change results dramatically with it's growth! I had it one time and thought it was a top tier mango and now want the tree. 

[Oolie]

From my reading on it, it's between ST and Venus where ST is high vigor, and Venus is Moderate. Even in Florida with minimal bloom stimulus this one apparently produces quite well, many commercial growers grow it instead of ST for this reason.

[loquataddict]

I have grown ST and can vouch for that and have read all the rest you mentioned. Just looking for Florida grower input who have spent many years with this tree. I do have info from Fruitscapes by me on it's growth but am looking for more info.

[MAMOHT]

There is my 5yo K3. I planted it 3y ago and it was about 2’ tall.
I pruned it extensively until the last year. It grew like some sort of mast tree with long straight shoots.
The side ones are also about the same way.
This year it flowered a lot and set fruit for the first time. Right after flowering the panicles looked like grapevines. There were so many little mangos on them. As expected, it dropped most of them and now it has probably 40 fruits.
I am thunking this year I prune it on the sides to make sure those branches don’t get to the ground when fruiting. And next year I’ll cut off whatever top there will be.
But by all accounts this does not feel like a small tree.

[loquataddict]

Thanks for the real time information and Fantastic pics of it!  It surely looks like it will be a very good sized tree. Steve from Fruitscapes who I know very well said that after 6 years, his is about 8 ft tall and 6 ft wide. I have the real estate but would like to keep it 15-18 ft wide and height is free but will top it out at about 15 ft.  Keep us updated on the flavor!

[Greater Good]

Purchased Dec. 2023. I held off planting until it flushed new leaves and they hardened off. Planted May 16, 2024. It's a 3 year old tree. Used organic fertilizer with 5% nitrogen since we got it. It's right up there with Venus vigor. The fence is 6 ft tall.

[loquataddict]

That's a nice tree, thanks for showing.

[pineflatwoods]

My lone tree has been sickly, but is finally making a comeback, I agree growth seems to be similar to Venus, the tree flowers readily and is usually one of the earlier to bloom for me- haven't had fruit yet

[loquataddict]

Thanks and appreciate your response. You have a great looking tree there!

[Orkine]

I grafted mine to a mature tree, so it is not a straight comparison.  However, it just about took over the canopy.

I had to remove a couple of the branches so it would not shade out other varieties on the same tree.  My assessment is that on its own, it has the potential to be a large tree.

It fruits well and I like the flavor; I may graft one as a stand-alone tree (if I can make some space for another tree)

[loquataddict]

I grafted mine to a mature tree, so it is not a straight comparison.  However, it just about took over the canopy.

I had to remove a couple of the branches so it would not shade out other varieties on the same tree.  My assessment is that on its own, it has the potential to be a large tree.

It fruits well and I like the flavor; I may graft one as a stand-alone tree (if I can make some space for another tree)

I agree!   I am picking one up myself and have contemplated on getting this variety for over a decade.

[MAMOHT]

So far, Kathy has proven to be squirrel resistant too. Those rats ravaged my Carrie which is right next to Kathy. Have not touched Kathy once.
ChatGPT says: Very interesting (and lucky!) that the critters are ignoring your Kathy mangoes but still going after the Carrie. It makes sense, though—Carrie is incredibly aromatic even when it’s just starting to ripen, so it probably signals “ready” to every squirrel within sniffing distance. Kathy, being denser and milder in fragrance until it softens more fully, might not be ringing the dinner bell for them just yet.

Sooo, there might be just one more good side to Kathy. Will see how that goes now since today I picked Carrie completely. There is nothing left on it.
I guess, once they touch Kathy I am picking all of that too.

[Woodinitbean_ice]

I don't grow this one BUT, I just had one from Dr. Campbell and it was superb. Fiberless, sweet, some resin, and a strong complex Southeast Asian type flavor. I mean it really pops when it hits your tongue. I'm pretty impressed with this one - I can still kind of taste it and I ate it about 20 minutes ago.

[MAMOHT]

Mine are still pretty green and not touched by critters. I hope for another week or better two for them to ripen as I have a large stock of Carrie to deal with.
Also Kathy made FAIRCHILD CHOICE MANGO TREES 2024

https://www.mangodatabase.com/uploads/Fairchild_MangoTrees_How_to_Care_24.pdf

[Orkine]

Mine stay green after they are mature, but would eventually color on the tree if left alone, but I often would not.  They get these little glittering, clear secretions (I have heard them described as resin sparkles) when mature.  They are like water droplets, but they are solid, and a sign that the fruits are ready to pick and will ripen on the counter.

[MAMOHT]

The first Kathy got eaten and probably not even last night. Found it smelling foul in the grass. It looked well done too. So, I picked all the rest. Here is the very first load




The biggest one came out at 1.7lbs

[MAMOHT]

Few small ones ripened up. Tested at 22 Brix. It is very sirupy. Will post a pic once the big ones get ready.

[DocTropical]

Amazing haul, MAMOHT. You must have a beautiful tree. Enjoy the bounty!

[Greater Good]

Few small ones ripened up. Tested at 22 Brix. It is very sirupy. Will post a pic once the big ones get ready.

That's an impressive brix meter result. You've removed my doubts on planting Kathy.

[MAMOHT]

Tried a medium sized one. It tested at 20 brix. The flavor is very bold and piney. If you are into those resinous IndoChinese flavors  then this is it. Compared to Carrie it feels to have more pine in it. Carrie feels more floral compared to this one.