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Tropical Fruits

How do I 'heal' my mango plant?

10 years ago

Hi guys it's been about 9- 10 months since I've planted my mango seed. I brought him to my dorm when I started school this September, however, due to the lack of sunlight in my room I took him to the school's greenhouse so that he can have the full care he can get. I check every month up in the greenhouse (there is a caretaker up there) and he has been growing more leaves and seems to be thriving more. The caretaker also replanted him into a bigger pot and he's been doing great!

But.... When the winter came, and when I retrieved him for break, there are brown spots on the leaves and even one of them fell off! Now, I have him under my care for the break and I just don't know if these brown spots are normal during this season or a sure sign of death. Is there any way of 'healing' the plant? I live in Southern California and it might have happened during the two weeks of colder weather on the beginning of the month (for those of you who live out here also).
The caretaker says that he's been taking care of mango plants before since he grew up in Guam and also said its normal for mango plants to have these brown blotches in the winter. I'm not sure however because he looks pretty sickly. Any advise, help? Thanks and happy new year!

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Comments (5)

stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
10 years ago
That's either normal reaction to California chill,or the medium stage of its death too be. If its chill.no big deal. It will flush for you in soucal in February and shed worn leaves. If its serious anthracnose,it will soon shrivel. Shriveling stems is sure death.

Don't let it go dry and keep the good care. If it dies,that's not unusual for seedling Mangoes here.
greenman62
10 years ago
it could be water, or cold stress
i would also check under the leaves real good....
sometimes aphids or other parasites are hard to see

whats the soil like ?
is it fast draining and how often are you watering it ?
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sapote
10 years ago
For "healing", you need to take a vacation -- with the mango to Hawaii or Vietnam or India, or southern Mexico, any tropical places, or nearby southern FL..

Seriously, it's the way most the seedlings look in California, and I have not been able to tell why. Like you I wish I know a simpler solution than taking a vacation.

Sapote
eointremont
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks guys! The good news is that the old leaves withered and new leaves grew in! It looks good as new! Here's a picture of what he looks like now.
eointremont
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi guys

I think my mango plant has anthracnose. The new leaves that I updated started to become exactly how the first picture looked. Some of the branches are becoming a bit thin.

Since the plant is almost a year old, should I still go get a pesticide such as Mancozeb or a copper oxychloride? If so, how would I use it for a small plant like this? Thank you!

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