Tipping doesn't work as well as on blackberries, it is more to manage size, and production. A plant can only produce so much sugar. Even limiting number of new canes is OK. I just don't let it grow. I remove weak canes and when more than two canes are in one square foot I may remove the third, depending on overall growth. I still need to do some floricane thinning for next year. Canes should be 6 inches apart, any closer should be thinned, yet at times due to low number I may leave them closer if say the crown only has 3 canes. Leave 5 or 6 canes at most, if you even have than many. More than that strains sugar production, and also other resources, berries will be smaller. That is per crown. As plants sucker more crowns appear. Anyway to cut to the chase, i do tip them to limit vertical growth, and tie easily if needed. With summer fruiting types I like to remove canes right after fruiting to give more light to the new primocanes as soon as possible. Crowding of floricanes and primocanes is a problem, but comes with the territory, it cannot be helped.

Monkeyfoot- Thanks for uploading a photo. Despite the yellowing leaves, it look great! Like kayjones says, the leaves will grow back!:) Dan- wow- such a long post!:) Yes, I finally opened my web store, because I am feeling a little better. I am still in pain but the meds help me get around a bit more. I'm also on vacation so I thought processing orders would be a lot less stressful during this time. :) Mango Crush is such a vigorous fast grower and bloomer. Mine hasn't started blooming yet, but it won't be long! Glad yours is doing well. I love Morelia! Which angels belong to the Aurea group? I always have a hard time remembering. What qualifies an angel to belong to that group? I would be so honored to trade for some of your new babies to trial for you. I haven't done any hybridizing yet, nothing is really blooming for me. But they are budding up! Yes you gave me Rudy- and I just planted it last week in my front garden. I just LOVE Peaches & Creams' fragrance- you say it's better than that? Wow, I can't wait for it to bloom! Do you know who the pollen donor is? Very interesting! Thanks again for the tip for using molasses, I forgot about it. I will try it! My brugs are holding up well so far. The hottest it's been was 106*. I planted most in ground last year. Those in ground have a deep layer of composted horse manure over them, and I haven't had to hand water them yet! Thank God, I couldn't water them in my condition anyway! We are behind in our rain for the month so far. Get your list together soon, I'm selling the best angels fast! I have only a few special angels that are not listed on my site. Have to get some Murphy's to combat a few mites that I have. Looking forward to your email and photos when you can!

Looks like spider mites; you won't see them without a good magnifying glass. A good wash outside or in the shower will go a long way to getting rid of them. My advice... lose the fertilizer spikes and replace with a good soluble citrus fertilizer applied 3-4 times per year according to the label. Your tree looks to be a little underfed; and unhealthy trees are more susceptible to spider mites. I would also get a good foliar fert. and give your tree an application of that about every 15 days; I like Bayer Bayfolan Forte; lots of container growers here use Foliage Pro... there are others. Your tree looks a bit leggy; I am guessing it gets less light than it would like.

Jennifer —-(Spraying with Neem Oil and or and other mixtures to eradicate the insects organically could still harm those beneficial insects. Some people will just let those pest stay on the tree because they dont want to harm them. Its a difficlt choice to make for some and you need to understand that some bad infestations that might get out of hand and could cause your trees to become weak and allow other diseses to slowly kill your tree. i always try and let Mother Nature work on the right balance of the pest verses the beneficial insets to keep everything in check. But sometimes i will have to step in and use more than organic to combact the problem. its up to you to decide what is best for your tree. Laura Even those that eat leaves ___ Katydids 🌺