The Tropical Fruit Forum

After the powdery mildew debacle a few seasons ago, there been many mango lovers who planted "insurance" varieties.
What varieties do you have in your garden that you consider "insurance" mango?

Can't lie, I'm excited. Temperatures forecasted in high 50's after a warm weekend.
Will it be enough to spur Rosa, Dwarf Hawaiian and Rosigold to bud out some panicles?
What do you think?

I see Tropical Acres Farm has Jean Ellen available for sale. It's my understanding this was a Frank Smathers cultivar developed at Four Fillies Farm. Has anyone here tasted the fruit? Is it top tier variety?
I acquired a tree based on growth habit and it being an early season Indian flavored fruit.

In your opinion, which varieties are the holy grail selections for the Florida Mango collector?

I think Zill 40-26 (Creamsicle) deserves consideration.

Waiting for Amazon to deliver a 44 lb bag of micronized Azomite. I'm going to put it through our My4Sons sprayer with tank agitator as a foliar feed.
Anyone else tried this? Will the fruit trees absorb the minerals through the leaf membrane? Did I jump the gun? Am I on the wrong track, is my thinking wrong? Did I waste my money? $

Is it too early to start tipping mango trees in South Florida? All opinions are sought.




Mod edit: Edited subject to be less vague.

Outside our backdoor.


The underside of the Loquat with ripe fruit and Jackfruit trees. Shades our AC unit.

Southern Ag®️ sells an OMRI listed product named Garden Friendly Fungicide.  Interesting it's active ingredient is Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747.  That's the same active ingredient found in Double Nickel 55 Fungicide. They are available online in in pint containers that won't break your budget. 1 teaspoon per gallon. Can't spray copper all the time. Alex (Squam256) says you gotta rotate products.

Alexander Salazar (Squam256) will be taking fruit tree questions specializing in Sapodilla,  Mamey, Avocado and Mango. LIVE! Sunday, February 16th at 8 pm on YouTube. These are very informative and you can submit questions for him in the Chat.

Here is the link, mark your calendar.
https://www.youtube.com/live/4rh8NaQoeQw?feature=shared

Head north yesterday morning around 11, arrived at this place about 12:20.


Some may recognize the mail box. Binary 1010

Just finished walking the garden this morning. Can see the sulfur residue from yesterday morning spraying. Mango trees are looking good,
So are all the neighborhood mango trees. Many with spectacular heavy blooms that have not been treated with sulfur. Am I being paranoid over my 2024 experience? It would be a kick in the ass if powdery mildew didn't show up in 2025.

Dwarf Hawaiian data
1½" stem measured 12" soil level
Increased diameter +⅜" in 104 days
4'5" (53") tall +10 inches in 104 days
Canopy 4'5" (53") widest width
Canopy 4'2" (50") narrowest width
Flowered profusely 2024, picked immature fruit
Planted Dec. 2023 as 15 gallon tree




Is it ready to produce fruit? I bought a 15 gallon because I killed a 3 gallon. I didn't want to wait.

Please chime in with your thoughts.

We may be jumping from a El Niño affected weather pattern to La Niña. This could cause a dryer and warmer late Fall / Winter. Potentially this could change blooming triggers. Could this be bad for Florida Mango 🥭 lovers?