My concern is that the winters here do get very dry and can dip below 40F.

I have a mango tree growing here in Phoenix (but I'm from SoCal originally). If you look at our temps in winter (Dec. Jan. Feb.), they are basically the same as yours. You may need to protect it on some especially cold nights with Agribon fabric (or equivalent) and Christmas lights but it should be OK. The tree will respond well to the heat that you have in Riverside, although it takes a while for you guys to 'heat up'. They like Phoenix heat. I spray it down at night to humidify the air during the hot dry months (May, June).

The difference is that we have our monsoon season here in July-September(early) which adds major humidity. We get our rain pretty equally divided in summer and winter. You get all your rain basically in the winter, and to prevent root rot, I would suggest planting in a raised bed or mound for good drainage. Mulch in summer and irrigate so that it is quite moist, but rake away the mulch in winter and you want to make sure they stay relatively on the dry side. It helps them to bloom with a 'dry-season'. Watch out for mid-winter heat and dry spells then give it some water.

I would do a mid-late season variety. It takes you awhile to heat up (not like us).

They grow Keitt mangos on a commercial basis in the Coachella Valley in California. They are late season but that was a market decision and not based on climate. My Glenn tree is 'early' season.

Hope that helps.

MAJOR Mango tree!

Go for it.

I think a mango would thrive in Riverside, a later variety probably is best so the flowers don't get zapped midwinter.

Good Luck

http://www.crfg.org/nurlist.html

I like the San Diego area (Vista nurseries)for good selection at more reasonable prices.

Home Depot and Lowes will carry 'Manila' propagated by La Verne Nursery (wholesaler) but if you are picky California Tropical Fruit Tree nursery and Exotica will have the most selection (call first, CTFT is by appointment).

Good luck.

There is some nice advice given here so I'd like to ask a question.

I too have a manilla from lowes but not planted. Are they really dwarf? What is the max size if planted in an inland foothill in san diego? Greg, how big is your six year old tree?

thanks in advance.

I'm very close to the beach, however, and so our summers are mild and it's never gotten below 40° in the 12 years I've lived here, although this winter was especially cold and it got down to 42°. You would need to water yours a lot in the summer, since I believe they are used to wet summers.

Lars

Where exactly in Bellfower is the Mango tree along the 605 & Alondra?

Question:
1. When is the good time to plant one?
2. Any good nusery in Garden Grove area where I can pick one up? other than Lowes and Home Depot.
3. How large is the root system? So I have to plan how far away from the house.

Thanks everyone.

I haven't heard of the VN Mango.

Lars

Jane

more information here - http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/mango.html

I parked at Del Taco and walked along the highway, searching for mango trees.

I saw what appeared to be an avocado tree, plus another tree with the right shape of leaf, but no mango fruit nor mango flowers. But it seemed like the right place, based on the description, and there were several other fruit trees in that yard.

Puzzled, I returned to Del Taco to eat lunch and think a bit. Afterward I drove into the neighborhood and parked in front of the suspect house. I waffled for several minutes, wondering if a knock on the door would result in some poor lady calling the police on me, but I plucked up my courage and went ahead to ring the bell.

A very nice older lady answered the door with her Yorkie under arm, and I said, "I'm very sorry to disturb you, Ma'am, but do you have a mango tree in your backyard?" I'm sure this is the first time anyone's ever knocked on her door to ask her that!

She said no, but that she had had one a few years ago. She had to take it out, because it got infested with worms. The blood drained from my face, and I felt like swooning. It was gone. "Did it make good mangos?" I asked timorously.

"They were very good," she said, "But after it got infested they were all full of worms."

I asked if she knew what variety they were, and she just said she thought it was some sort of Hawaiian variety. I gave her my condolences for her tree, thanked her for her time, and then slumped my shoulders and walked slowly away.

My quest was a failure.

Does anyone know of other mango trees that can be seen from the street in Los Angeles, without disturbing anyone's peace or getting arrested? I'm interested in the Indian cultivars, as the Ataulfo/Philippine varieties just don't do it for me.

Lars