RIP Alphonso Mango Tree
Well, I have a little sad news to report. My Alphonso Mango tree has died. It survived the winter and put out a flush of new growth and inflorescence. I felt pretty confident that I might even get some small mangoes off the tree this year.
Unfortunately the tree was killed by a mole. I saw a bunch of mole trails near the tree and was worried that it might have damaged the roots of my mango tree because mango trees have very sensitive roots (I lost one last year when I re-potted).
I will try to take some pictures and post. Luckily my husband was able to catch the annoyance before it did anymore damage.
The Glenn Mango tree is doing fine. It got a little tip burn on the new, tender leaves during a cold spell we had when I had the trees uncovered.
Are you sure it was a mole? Moles are not supposed to damage roots; they eat worms and other small animals. Now gophers are another story, they can take out a tree easily.
Hey Brett, great to hear from you. I just guessed mole but it was some ground rodent. I have trails of pushed up soil around my tree. I doesn’t seem like anything tried to eat the plant but literally dug a hole right through the root ball. I am sooo annoyed because I got it through the winter. Luckily the glenn is ok.
Gophers are terrible, I almost had one kill my fig tree last winter/spring, I could push a 10 foot tree almost completely over.. luckily i caught the culprit and the tree has recovered nicely.
The mango had actually come back but the gopher is tearing up our yard. I live animals but it must die.
I completely agree, I’ve flooded them out of their burrows before, they are SO darn cute… but… Not when they kill all my work.. They are hard to keep away consistently.. Mainly I think because they flee through their burrow to a neighbors yard and return later. The smoke bombs you put in the burrow seem to work well.. They also have the funniest novelty system.. lol Crittergetteronline.com
Hi Tammy,
We also live in San Rafael in the Terra Linda area. I love reading these posts! Good for you for sharing these things. I was curious to know if your mango tree was still alive. I literally just planted one in my backyard two weeks ago that I found at Home Depot. My wife thinks I’m crazy, but I showed her your pictures. Did it succumb to frost, or are you still eating mangos?
@David, I am in Terra Linda as well. Regarding your mango tree, if you have not already done so, you might want to wait until next year to plant in the ground. If not, try to keep protected from frost.
BOTH my mango trees are still alive BUT not really thriving….even the alphonso came back. I think they would do better with some protection….I have a survival of the fittest philosophy regarding gardening (or is it laziness) and do not protect from the cold and my cherimoyas, mango trees, and dragon fruit are still alive. I think if you grow in an area where it is protected from the frost drop it will great help. I have my mango trees planted under a tall trellis that I hope to cover.
Hi Tammy!
I live in San Jose. Was googling for how to grow Mango trees in Northern California. I was looking for a specific variety from India called “Langra”. And a seller in Florida has it. But will California allow a plant to be shipped from other states with its strict agriculture laws?
Thanks so much,
Swati
no, usually not unless special arrangements are made. There is an Indian store near san jose that sells indian variety trees. They may be able to order one for you. Let me look up there name.
Any status updates on your Glenn mango tree? 🙂
Hi Tammy,
Sorry about your Alphonso plant.
I just bought Alphonso plant from Florida and it was shipped to my home in San Ramon CA.
Can you please tell me how did you care for the Alphonso tree? My plant is in 3gal plastic pot. When do I transplant? How did you protect from cold? Which fertilizer should I use? How often should I fertilize?
My first Alphonso tree died within a week of transplanting. I transplanted as I as got the plant.
Any tips or advice are much appreciated.
Thank you.
Hi,
How is your Mango Tree? I just planted one from Plantogram!