fruit splitting (forum)

Joe Fernandez starts with ...
I have a Haden mango tree that is 10 years old. The tree flowers profusely but the baby mangos fall off, the ones that stay on get to about a half a pound and split. I need some expert advice on what to do. The tree is about 12' tall.

Time: 3rd March 2010 2:14pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author joe fernandez
Socal
#UserID: 3442
Posts: 15
View All joe fernandez's Edible Fruit Trees

Wayne says...
Hello Joe
May we assume that the fruit have now set and the tree has finished flowering?

My first thoughts is Anthracnose, a fungus that is common in our Mango trees, and your description suits it.

First job is to spray with a copper based spray such as copperoxichloride if you can get it. Most important is a wetting agent to make it stick to the fruit and foliage, an unscented liquid soap will do if you cannot get a brand one.

If the tree is still in bloom you cannot use a copper based spray as it will kill the flowers. Mancozeb, or another brand spray for fungus without the copper should do.

Spray the tree weekly making sure you get a good coverage under the leaves as well. You will notice a difference in about four weeks.

The tree might also like some sulphate of potash and a good general fertiliser as well.

One other thought about the splitting fruit, I hope the soil around the tree is not to wet.

Let us know how you get on

Time: 3rd March 2010 5:23pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees

Joe Fernandez says...
Hi Wayne,

The tree is still flowering and some mangos are setting. We are in a different schedule than you folks, our mango's start to flower in January. I live in Orange County in Southern California.

I have read some of the archives in this forum and it says that one should apply copper fungicide from flowering all way through for related problems.

Wayne, you are saying don't apply liquid copper fungicide if the tree is still flowering?

I just want to get this right and not harm my tree any worse than it is.

Kind Regards

Time: 3rd March 2010 9:24pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author joe fernandez
Socal
#UserID: 3442
Posts: 15
View All joe fernandez's Edible Fruit Trees

Wayne says...
Hi Joe

A copper based spray will kill the flowers and stop them from setting fruit. Once the fruit has set you can then use copper based sprays as they will not hurt the fruit.

My situation is that I use the recommended volume of copperoxichloride with the same amount of mancozeb mixed together with a wetting agent and spray the foliage until the tree starts to flower [usually 2 to 3 times]. I then cut out the copperoxichloride while it is flowering but add it back in after the fruit is set, then spray weekly until the fruit is at least 1/2 grown.

As the tree is still flowering Joe, spray with "mancozeb plus" fungicide or your equivalent. I don't know what you have over there but your agricultural department should be able to help, just make sure you do not use a copper based spray on the flowers.

Cheers
Wayne

Time: 4th March 2010 1:10pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees

Joe Fernandez says...
Alright Wayne, I'll go with the mancozeb and once it sets fruits I'll spray it with copper. I also have another mango tree that I bought about a month ago. I did not protected when transporting it and it took a beating. The tree is an Alfonso and it's about 6' tall. I laid it in the back of the truck and did not cover it. I lost some leaves and it is in shock. What do you recommend?



Time: 4th March 2010 3:01pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author joe fernandez
Socal
#UserID: 3442
Posts: 15
View All joe fernandez's Edible Fruit Trees

Wayne says...
The good people here have converted me to "Seasol" for that job Joe, just water the whole tree with it.

One of our main commercial Mangoes is a cross from you neck of the woods.

http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/horticulture/5443.html

I have family in Bowen who grow Kent, a very nice Mango

Time: 4th March 2010 3:40pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees

Joe Fernandez says...
Hi Wayne

How about copper soap fungicide? I can't find mancozeb around here.I goggled Seasol and they don't sell it in the US so I bought a seaweed extract from GrowMore. I love this forum, I think I'm going to Australia next year.

Regards

Time: 5th March 2010 3:14pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Socal
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Wayne says...
"How about copper soap fungicide?"

No Joe, nothing with copper in it on the flowers. GrowMore is good, and it would be nice to see you down this way.

Send me an email to atfieldwayne@hotmail.com and I'll give you some pointers.

http://www.enviroselects.com/mancozeb-fungicide-alternative

I found this Joe, perhaps you could contact them and ask their advise.

Time: 5th March 2010 5:25pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 5th March 2010 5:41pm

About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees