Hi, Art, and thanks. I live in the "temperate" south or upper south in zone 7, so the ones I have mentioned will either die and reseed, or at the minimum die back to the roots every year. So all spring growth will be from either seedlings or new growth on existing roots. I guess my main concern was are these naturally shrubby plants, or do they need some assistance in the form of pinching/pruning. I don't want to end up with a few long stems and little flowering. Seedlings can probably be pinched back when they develop the second set of true leaves, or not??? I am not familiar with the growth habit of some of these. I am assuming, based on my experience with Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph', a common one I know, that returns from seed each year, that pinching is not really necessary because it comes up late - around late July here - and I might be pinching off flowering growth at that point. It seems to branch naturally on its own. So that leaves the others and the species, S. coccinea, which I don't know whether or not grows like the hybrid, blooms late like the hybrid, in which case it probably wouldn't be a good idea to pinch. I guess I need to do some reading. Ok - you've inspired me to do some research. Thanks! Susan

Hi invar - no, the 20 gallon edward is going in the ground as to all my mangos here in Palm Springs. We get occasional frost but usually only once or twice a winter so most of the trees will sustain minimal damage, though my small ones I definitely cover. The custom graft thing - I have sort of just heard that he does that but haven't asked him directly. A direct call is best, but as Zands says the communication can be dicey. I would talk to Gilbert over Tom. I think there is the slightest edge to his english.... I think the flavor of the Edward will be grand once I taste one! I've heard nothing but exquisite things said about it, and yes I saw Dr. Crane slobber and drool when he ate that edward, too. My friend JFernandez told me that he knows someone here in SoCal that grows Edwards and doesn't have the spotty, inconsistent crop yields that are advertised with it...He apparently has large amounts of fruits, so maybe they flourish in this drier climate down here. Just a guess.... Hey Zands - I've heard that before that Mimosa gets Pine Island 3 gallon plants and then nurtures them into these larger plants in huge plastic pots. I don't know if that is true, although he has told me he gets plants from Florida, but I don't know what size. Maybe JFernandez would know......but like you say, if he does nurture them to that size, he appears to be doing a great job. they appear robust, but I do have this feeling they haven't been in the 20 gal. containers for very long...just too much loose soil around the top. I've now bought 3 of these largest size trees because I needed more mature specimens to replace 3 acacias (I think) I have in front that I am so tired of getting scratched to death when I have to trim them back every year...and they drop these brown pods - really do belong out in the African savannah - I have no idea why they are cultivated for the home yard.....the second reason i got them big was to have fruit almost immediately as I didn't want to wait. I have 6 or 7 trees that are under 3-4 feet which I will just have to watch grow for the next 2-3 years before I can raid their spoils....!!!!! And that's my share on the day of Christ's rising.... Peace to All - mangosleighdog

Since you have a seedling which is more vigorous than the grafted trees the guy in the video is working with, i would even go lower than hip height. I'd nip yours at knee height. If you can get someone to graft it for you with a good variety that'll be much better -unless this seed came from an excellent mango or you just want to grow it for the foliage

Hello all, I have two beautiful FLF’s. They both have 2 separate plants, each with a single stock. I’m wondering how I can get them to branch out to encourage a more tree like appearance rather than bush like. (See pictures below) Anyone have any advice for me on this? Appreciate the help!