ctcarol said:

So very, very true. They are so cute and entertaining, but they can also be destructive and a major (and expensive) nuisance. They learn new things, too.

Hello

I planted a mango tree and it is from graft, crooked at the base. Will it correct itself or will the crocked trunk cause issues as it grows.

I have provided support for the trunk so it grows straight from the top.

Also it is planted in a whole at depth due to the tip being surrounded by concrete. The depth it is planted at is open and will allow roots to grow out. If I plant at the top will it be ok so the roots grow down or will the circle?

It will definitely circle, and not have enough root room in that planter, sorry. Mango grow to be big trees, but their roots spread outwards, not downwards so I think you must find another spot with more soil and space around it for that tree. The roots grow outwards well beyond the spread of the branches, and the branches go out at least 5 meters on a full grown tree.

Mine is a semi-dwarf variety and it's branches reach at least 4m already - it is 10 years old.

On the up side, the trunk will straighten out as the tree grows.

In the Azores islands I was told (not necessarily by a professional grower) when a mango trunk becomes about 2" (5cm) thick to cut the bark all the way from the roots up to the top slightly without cutting int the flesh of the trunk. They told me that helps mango bear fruits. Same people told me mango trees need make and female tree to fruit, but I read on the internet that they need M/F flowers, not trees. This could be good or bad advise since I received bad advice before I'd like to know the truth if possible.

I had a 'patio' mango for a few years because I love Mango! It was one of the 'champagne' types. It set a few fruit, but the squirrels always got them. Sigh.....

Not sure how they will do in your very dry climate, but give it lots of sun, great soil and feed it well. Then, when the fruit does finally make an appearance, be prepared to fight every critter on the face of the earth for them. Raccoons, mice, rats, squirrels, birds and neighbors . . . [/quote]

New mango grower in SoCAL (Santa Ana, CA) here, though I've been a 20' x 40' vegetable organic gardener for 30 years and donate all my stuff to the food banks. Anyway, I just bought a 5-year-old Kensington and 3-year-old Venus - both grafted mangoes. Any opinions on their taste? We have a few cool nights (maybe 20 per winter when it approaches 40 degrees F but almost never below). Anyone in zone 10b have any tips for protecting them, if needed, those nights? The nursery in San Diego county said both had a few fruit this past summer, But now I'm worried about all the critters in my back yard.

[quote="PicoAzores"]In the Azores islands I was told (not necessarily by a professional grower) when a mango trunk becomes about 2" (5cm) thick to cut the bark all the way from the roots up to the top slightly without cutting int the flesh of the trunk. They told me that helps mango bear fruits. Same people told me mango trees need make and female tree to fruit, but I read on the internet that they need M/F flowers, not trees. This could be good or bad advise since I received bad advice before I'd like to know the truth if possible. [/quote
as far as I know all manggo are monoecieus. There are no male or female tree, (they do produce male and hermaphroditic flowers) and some variety set fruit easier to the other. I use to grow manggo on my yard, but due to space, now all has been removed to make space for other plants. Now I only grow variegated one for ornamentals in pots. It is actually possible to grow manggo in large container, the grafted or air layered originated plant. They could produce few fruits, and it is kind of popular for city people with small garden, again mainly for ornamentals. Since it is not so difficult to get manggoes in the market at my place. Having small tree with fruits on it, in a pot is kind of fun