Jackie asks: I have a mango that keeps producing fruit that is soft and kind of rotten around the seed. What is the problem and is there anything I can do to improve the fruit?
Tropical Gardener answer: The mango tree on Jackie’s property probably has a genetic propensity to this problem. The best solution is to remove the tree and plant another one in a different area. Mangoes grow best in hot, dry locations with less than 60 inches of rainfall a year. They prefer rich, deep soil that drains well and does not hold excess moisture. The trees will usually produce fruit within five years of planting. Fruit production is best when the weather is dry during flowering avoiding rain damage to the flowers. For mango varieties that grow well in Hawaii check out the mango poster at http://www.hawaiifruit.net/mangodraft6tp.pdf
Bonnie asks: My mango trees are large and very productive. In the last few years parrots have arrived just as the fruit is ripening and they have damaged a lot of it. This year, the flock is larger and damage has increased. What can I do?
Tropical Gardener answer: Parrots are not native to Hawaii. Obviously, people have released their pet parrots or the birds have escaped from captivity. They are well-suited to living and reproducing here in our tropical climate so their increasing numbers are causing a lot of problems for local fruit growers.
Parrots are essentially herbivores. Many are seed-eating and some also are fruit-eating. Their strong curved beaks are ideal for piercing thick skin or hard shell coatings. They also have feet which are able to hold onto branches or foods as they eat. Once they find a yummy food source they will likely continue to feed until they are sated or the fruit is gone.
No easy solution to their destruction of fruit crops exists but after consulting with some expert fruit growers and parrot lovers, I can share some of their ideas.
Several suggestions included cutting the trees until they are manageable so they can be netted or the fruit can be bagged. An interesting bagging system is available at http://almostveganinparadise.com/how-to-protect-your-fruit-from-birds/.
Bird lovers will not approve of killing the birds, but in some cases it may be necessary to protect the crops and the income of our local farmers. One respondent related that in Australia where a type of bat known as flying foxes are eating fruit crops, farmers are actually shooting and killing the fruit-eating pests. Several people I contacted suggested buying bird netting and placing it to trap the birds in order to kill them. Though this is not an ideal solution, these birds were irresponsibly released and are now wreaking havoc on our farms.
A help line, as well as free evaluations of your issue, is available at https://bird-x.com/bird-products/. They also sell netting and trapping as well as electronic repelling devices for all kinds of bird problems.
Don’t let these issues keep you from growing mangoes. Just select a variety that is well-suited to your location, keep the trees small and manageable and plan ahead for ways to protect your fruit from pests.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by Certified Master Gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living in a dryland forest north of Kailua-Kona.
Gardening Events
Saturday: “Backyard Composting Workshop” from 10 a.m. to noon at Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus. Sponsored by Recycle Hawaii. Advance registration is requested. To register contact Marsha Hee at educationdirector@recyclehawaii.org or 985-8725. More information at www.recyclehawaii.org. No fee but donations are appreciated.
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: “Ho’oulu Farmers Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay
“Sunset Farmers Market” 2-6 p.m. in the HPM parking lot at 74-5511 Luhia Street in Kailua-Kona (across from Target)
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” from 7 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
“Waimea Town Market” from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
“Waimea Homestead Farmers Market” from 7 a.m. to noon at the Waimea Middle and
Elementary School Playground
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook (info at PureKonaGreenMarket.com)
“Hamakua Harvest” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Highway 19 and Mamane Street in Honokaa
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Tuesdays &Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu – 322-4892
Mon., Tues. &Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu