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desertdance

In Ground Mango leaf tips are curling and bumpy

This is our first Mango tree. Manila variety. It's been in ground for 3 months, and has a lot of new growth, but either something is attacking that growth or it's a nutritional deficiency.

Here it is when we bought it.

Here it is now:

Anyway, all info I find here is for potted mangos. This is in ground on a drip system.

What do you think? What do you suggest?

This post was edited by desertdance on Fri, Jul 25, 14 at 10:46

Comments (13)

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    9 years ago

    Its too dry. One thing I notice is...the more water they get in the dry season the better they grow. They even like to be flood irrigated. When they get some size that might change.
    And mulch that tree. Hot desert sun must evaporate the water faster then it can get to the roots.

  • Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Thank you! We will go out there now and give it a bunch of extra water, and keep that up for some time.

    We will also put extra mulch on it.

    I'd hate to see it die! Looking forward to mangos one year soon!

  • Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    We added more mulch and gave it a ton of water and maybe it's my imagination, but it is already looking better.

    When we first planted it, it kinda went into shock and the top died back. We cut the top, and now it has 4 new branches.

    We will make sure it has a lot of water. The guava planted at the same time, is just growing really fast and already fruiting...

    I'll try to post an update in a week or so when it starts showing happy growth again.

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    9 years ago

    I've seen them come back from MUCH worse. When it does flush? I strongly recommend you then give it a good feeding of a quality fertilizer. I like the organic types...that lowers the chance of burning the small trees.
    Small Mangoes in the west need to be pampered-lol. It really does make a difference.

  • myamberdog
    9 years ago

    Hi DD - where in the desert do you live? I'm in Palm Springs....

    Anyway, all of Stan's advice is solid. I'm looking at the pictures you posted and knowing that we've had a couple days of 115 and 116 already, and just recently, I'd almost say that is sunburn/heat damage. .....

    If you are in the Coachella Valley this might be what your tree could become....

  • Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Ooooohh! I even see mangos on your tree! Fingers crossed!

    We used to live in La Quinta, but moved to acreage in the hills overlooking Hemet. We are in a microclimate. Not as hot, not as cold. We traded the dreaded HOA for a bunch of gophers, bob cats, and assorted other critters!

    It's been 3 days since the original post, and I can see improvement. I'll post an update in a week or so, but the branch tips are longer and definitely green!

    I don't expect the burned leaves to recover, but I hope the new ones will look better!

    Thanks for posting your tree!

  • Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    I couldn't stand waiting a week. This is the progress after 4 days. See how green the growth tips on the new branches are? There are 4 new branches in all, but one is hiding under a leaf.

    That water is a huge help! Thanks to all of you!

    Suzi

  • myamberdog
    9 years ago

    Alright! Easy enough solution - water....... Is your soil sandy, DD?

    Ah, I see you are right off the 74, kind of behind San Jacinto - I should assume you are at some elevation there??? Oh, yeah, I see about 1500 feet. And you're right cooler nights and not as warm days...but....on the USDA Hardiness map for zips 92543-92545 the zone is 9a.....are you sure it's 9b?

    Oh yeah....and mulch, mulch...MULCH!
    M.A.D.

  • Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Well, you got the wrong side of the 74. I provided a link which shows my microclimate and zone and I choose the road map view so I can pinpoint exactly our zone.

    It says our minimum temp is 25-30, and that could be true, but only one day out of the entire year. It's mostly 30-35 min temp, and that is only 1-2 days. It snowed last year, but never stuck. We have the same climate as Temecula. In fact, wine country is creeping this way. Huge vineyard at the bottom of our hill.

    Fun to see all the little microclimates though!

    We are off Stetson in the hills on the East side of State. Our soil is decomposed granite. Drains well. If a tree can get it's roots under a boulder, it will be fine, and there are tons of boulders here both hidden underground and hugely visable above.

    Here is a link that might be useful: ARS Interactive Zone Map

    This post was edited by desertdance on Tue, Jul 29, 14 at 9:31

  • Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    You are the best! You saved my tree! A few days, a few cans of water, two days of tropical storms seem to have helped:

    Here is the tree today:

    And here is a close up of the growth tip. There are 4 new branches on the tree and they all look like this! YAY!!

    Thanks again!
    Suzi

  • sapote
    9 years ago

    More mulch and cover the mulch up with cardboard if you don't mind the unattractive scene. It will keep the moisture in longer and you save water and the mango loves it.

  • sapote
    9 years ago

    Important: keep the thick layer of wet mulch 1" away around the trunk or it may rot.

  • Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Got it!

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