Uneven young mango branching (forum)

cartoone starts with ...
Hi all,
This Kensington mango is around 18 months old, and I cut the top out of it at 900mm. All 3 branches seen in picture were doing well but over last summer one took off and left the others well behind. The tree is now 1400mm high which makes the stronger branch 500mm long.
I'm not sure if I should cut the other 2 off and cut the top out of the strong branch to encourage more shoots and then restake stronger branch to cane support to make it sort of a straight trunk again. This would make a main trunk of around 1200mm before branches. Would this make it "top heavy"
Any input appreciated.
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Picture: 1

Time: 9th September 2015 2:04pm

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Bangkok says...
To me it seems those small branches didn't get enough light.

If it's in a pot then turn it around or plant it back into a pot and grow it in full sun for a year or so.

Yes you have no other options then cut the big fat branch back to the size of the other 2. A little lower would be even better.

Also spreading the branches would help to get the other 2 get more light. I hang a brick on branches that i want to bend or tie them to a stick or so. Anything works but they all have to get light.

Bending the whole tree will also work but it will grow bended. You can bend it back after a while and spalk it with a stick to get it straight again.

Painting the wall white will also help to give the 2 more light, or hang something white there for a while.



Time: 9th September 2015 3:27pm

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Original Post was last edited: 9th September 2015 3:26pm
About the Author Bangkok
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cartoone says...
Hi Bangkok,
Thanks for the reply. You maybe right about not getting enough sun. It was the only place I could find to plant it. The fence in the back ground of picture is NW facing and does block sun in the morning and late afternoon. I thought as the tree gets taller it would get more sunlight as with my olive tree against the same fence. It is now 4 metres tall and gets sun all day and producing bumper olives.
Painting the fence is not an option, but may try something reflective against the fence, or bend the tree away from the fence and trim large branch or a combo of all.
Any more ideas?

Time: 9th September 2015 6:14pm

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Bangkok says...
I don't know how tall the mango is but if it comes above the fence then you can also prune it there to get sidebranches.

It's also a bit close to the wall.

But yes it might get topheavy, but you can always support it with good sticks.

My 2nd mangotree which doesn't get full sun all day doesn't bloom on the branches who don't get enough sun.

So maybe just cut those small ones off is an other option.

You can bend this tree but then probably it will make bigger roots under the fence to keep balance, you have to decide if that's a problem.





Time: 9th September 2015 9:49pm

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denise1 says...
Lower branches will eventually get shaded out by top branches if there is not plenty of sunshine and room for lower branches. Wild forest mangoes grow well with tall unbranched trunks and I have seen several garden trees with a similar unbranched height 2 meters and they are ok. You will also need for the plant to become sturdy against the wind. The only way to do that is to have some play with the stake holding it up but not too loose to break or tear the roots. The plant should respond by thickening its stem and eventually it should not need any stakes.

Time: 10th September 2015 6:39am

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cartoone says...
Thanks for the replies.
As its early on in the warmer season I'm thinking to just leave it for a few weeks and see what happens.
I will restake it so there is more movement around base to strengthen it up.Thanks again.

Time: 10th September 2015 10:35am

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