California Backyard Mango Trees

[@segapena5033]

Im in Eastern Sacramento county in Northern California. I got a palmer mango that I ordered online from a nursery in puerto rico. Its about 3.5 tall now. I planted it on a high mound in clay soil amended with red lava sand/fines in April 2023. It tried to fruit but dropped all of them. We've already had 4 nights of frost with temps around 30-31 this past week. I am covering it and using a 60 watt heat bulb but so far it has zero signs of stree or cold damage anywhere unlike my small jacaranda tree which I also covered but already has the top leaves burned by the frost. I think the combo of being planted on a mound, being about 10 feet from the house, south facing with 20ft evergreen along the fence on the neighbors side blocking any cold winds from the north and having a silver dollar eucalyptus on one side have created a slightly warmer microclimate or at least proteced it from frost pockets or any cold air sinks. In the spring im going to plant a ataulfo sapling I grew from seed. That one will have the same evergreens behind it and next to it along with being next to a 11X14 shed on the other side protecting it.

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Wow, the things we do to make it work. Thanks for sharing those the incredible details. I'm fortunate it doesn't get that cold where I'm at.

[@huotlor255]

I lived in Riverside city, behind Riverside City College from 1979-1980. Nice place to live, I went there some time.

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Yes it is minus the summer heat :)

[@jamzdotnet]

Love it!

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Thx!

[@LashusJourney]

Amazing, I have some mangoes in pot too

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Thank you - hope they are doing well for you.

[@localboyzfish]

Starting our project next week in Fresnoooo CA :0

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Nice! How many fruit trees?

[@luaksendok3495]

Amazing

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Thanks

[@warrenrobinson1525]

Aaah temptation. Having patience is part of growing grafted fruit trees. Just like you said, short term gain, but it could cost the tree. I made that mistake, but it’s so tempting……😢 Grafted trees don’t realize they are so small. The grafted part thinks it’s still part of an established big tree. A seedling mango tree would not try to bloom and fruit at such a young age. So it’s wise to pick off all the small fruit sets until the tree is at least a few years old and of good size first.

[@backyardorcharddreams]

It really is tempting. Couldn't agree more. Thx for sharing!

[@randomguy2246]

I live in the heart of the san gabriel valley and have a nice collection of mango trees. imo, i dont think mango trees require any shade cloth. actually my mangoes love hot sun. i've seen them take 110⁰ heat like nothing. the only time new growth on the trees was damaged was when we got up to 117.

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Good to know - thank you!

[@williamErouse]

Awesome Awesome Awesome!!

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Thx Will and I'm looking forward to implementing the advice you gave me

[@BrothasOnline]

Finally got two mango trees just recently. Glad to see your mango's doing so good, it gives me confidence. Do you do anything special to winterize your in ground mango's or even the ones in pots? I worry about this upcoming winter. Are most of your mango's from graft or from seed? I just got ones from seed from the San Bernadino area($25 FB Marketplace). Just planted one in the ground and moved one of my black water barrels next to it, to somewhat block the wind and radiate heat. Was thinking of potting the other one(in a 15 gallon) and plunge it into the ground just in-case I need to move it if it gets to cold, or should I just put both in ground?

[@backyardorcharddreams]

I don't but they don't like our cold below 40. Leaves get damaged and growth stops for my trees. Smart of you to put water barrels next to it or put in a pot. For a small tree, start in a small pot and step it up every year or 2. All mine are grafted but if I had to do it over I might have grown a seedling and grafted varieties I like onto it.

[@elenzLD]

Can you show us your shade setup

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Mine is very basic. My biggest concern is 100+ heat on small mango trees. I set up 3 6ft stakes around half the tree that faces the sun. I clamp a shade cloth around it and one on top. The most import thing is to protect the trunk and graft area of the tree so that the base doesn't burn. I take it down once the temps stay below 95. Hope that helps you and I'll do a video on it.

[@SoxInTheGarden]

Ooh, I am going to attempt to grow mango in my area. I’m hoping to get a grafted Nam Doc Mai. ❤

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Wonderful! What area are you in?

[@SoxInTheGarden]

@@backyardorcharddreams I’m in WA zone 8b. I would need to protect them in winter like my citrus. ❤️

[@SoxInTheGarden]

@@backyardorcharddreams WA zone 8b so folks raise a brow when I mention going mangoes, but I was also told I couldn’t grow citrus, yet I’ve been growing citrus for the last 4 years. 🥰 So I’ve now got a Nam Doc Mai, Kesar, Glen, Pickering, Sugar Loaf, and I grafted an Orange Sherbet scion onto a 2nd Nam Doc Mai that I topped (since I didn’t need two of the same variety). We’ll see what happens! 😂

[@SoxInTheGarden]

@@backyardorcharddreams Sorry for the delayed response! Was busy babying all my new plant babies: mangoes, lychees, longans, guavas, Barbatos cherry, and an avocado. 😅

[@backyardorcharddreams]

@@SoxInTheGarden that's amazing. Love how you are pushing back on conventional wisdom and making it work! Congrats on your successes.

[@huotlor255]

Hi Urgent Backyard Orchards!, you love mangos, what part of SoCal you are in, i live in Lakewood, LA. I have 4 varieties plus small Miyazaki mango, thanks.

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Riverside area in the Inland Empire.

[@JD-hu5xe]

Can you make a video of how to shade ur mango tree. I live in desert just planted first mango, scared it won’t make it in summer gets about 120s here

[@backyardorcharddreams]

That's a good topic. I get that one on the short list for upcoming videos.

[@FeveredMind]

Just found your video and I am also in Riverside. Got my first mango tree with the Tree Power program. I plan on growing this Manila as rootstock then topworking. Do you sell scions? You have several varieties I would like on my tree =D

[@backyardorcharddreams]

When they get a little bigger I'll sell them to you or just give to you. Thanks for checking out the channel and let me know how it goes.

[@FeveredMind]

Amazing. My tree is a long way off needing scions. I just picked it up a month ago. Gonna need a year or two in order to establish before top working, but good to know there are other mango enthusiasts out there!

[@backyardorcharddreams]

@@FeveredMind yes it is and that will be right in time.

[@Arcanhael]

I killed a ton of grafted mango trees in our area. I was inexperienced. Now I grow nothing, but seedlings. They grow like weeds.

[@backyardorcharddreams]

I bet they do and yes grafted tress can be delicate in SoCal as well. I'm pushing the envelop with the varieties I've got and everyone can learn from my experiment :).

[@farhanarshad1085]

Thanks for your video! Quick question... I have a mango tree that I'm looking to plant but have limited space. The best spot is occupied by a small dwarf tangelo tree (it's shorter than the mango tree). Is it ok to plant it about 3 feet away from the tangelo tree or would that be a bad idea? Would like to avoid having to relocate the tangelo if I can. Thanks for your insight!

[@backyardorcharddreams]

That's hard to answer because there's many factors that go into it. For example how are they positioned vs the path of the sun? Will the tangelo get shaded out? Chances are they might both grow but you may be limited the amount of fruit on both - particularly the tree in the shade. If you have limited space that might be a traded off worth it to you. Another idea is move the tangelo to a pot. Citrus (and mangos) grow well and fruit in pots. Thanks for viewing and the question. Hope that helps you.

[@farhanarshad1085]

@@backyardorcharddreams Thank you, I really appreciate your thoughtful response. I'm not too concerned about the sun (at least right now) as it's a spot that just gets a ton of sun but is there any concerns that the roots could run into each other and cause problems? Sorry if that's a silly question, just getting started on this journey. Thank you again for your time!

[@backyardorcharddreams]

@@farhanarshad1085 Not a silly question. In most cases I don't worry about the roots in ground. Roots can actually enable trees to communicate and support each other. Virtually everywhere I plant in my yard there's roots. The main thing is to make sure they have sufficient water.

[@backyardmangoes4333]

Nice varieties. I grow in Fl and don’t know about CA growing. Why are the trees so deep into holes?

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Fair question @backyardmangoes4333 - there's a few reasons. Every tree on my property is planted on a slope or hillside. In addition my area is inland in Southern California where the annual rainfall is low at only about 11 inches a year with summers with less than an inch for 5 months between May-Sept. So with very little rain and on a hillside, the ground is extremely dry especially below the surface. I dig little wells and plant my trees deep to: 1) amend the heavily compacted clay soil, 2) to keep moisture in the ground, 3) to allow for a 6-12 inch mulch layer that otherwise would slide off the hill.

[@bayleechristina7121]

How often do you water your mangos, i would really appreciate your help

[@RichsMangoGarden]

Thanks for the video, nice collection! I grow mangos in more coastal california. I'm curious why your trees are planted in a ditch like that? Is your yard on a slope? Thanks.

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Yes hillside with hard compacted clay soil. For moisture, feeding and mulching.

[@RichsMangoGarden]

@@backyardorcharddreams Seems like some unique challenges in your area 👍

[@backyardorcharddreams]

@@RichsMangoGarden yes for sure.

[@undertakerlaser1]

Hey I live in Redlands where do you buy your fruit trees from?

[@backyardorcharddreams]

Several places but Louis' Nursery in Riverside that's closest to you. Exotic and rare items my go-tos are online at Plantogram and Everglades Farms. Champa Nursery in El Monte is a good one for tropicals. Also don't underestimate the big box stores. I've found many gems at those at great prices; avocados, moringa, loquats, stone fruits.

[@mjt2582]

The moral of the story is plant mango from seed in California, graft later or if at all. Avoid spending thousands of dollars on grafted mangos from Florida as their rootstock doesn’t do well in native clay

[@backyardorcharddreams]

That's a great point and probably why they do better in pots here in CA. I've actually done a lot of work amending my clay soil ahead of planting. I agree for the average person in California you wouldn't want to spend the money to import. Will be fun to see the results in another year or 2.