Thread: Watering trees

Starting in December, it is so dry here in Isan. Do you water your mango trees? And if so, how often?

I don't bother.

Don't. If they're well established mature (fruit-bearing) trees their wide-spread root system will pick up enough moisture and nutrients to survive the season.

If you just planted seedlings or non-mature trees, situated in poor (hard) soil, you might help 'm a bit but don't overdo it, they need to grow 'tough', develop their root system and over watering will make them grow skinny and weak. Better to give them an extra splash 'n dash and some manure once they start growing again but that's still months away. (i.e. when the neighbours come nicking the reddish-tinted new leaves)

thanks

Originally Posted by Gipsy

Don't. If they're well established mature (fruit-bearing) trees their wide-spread root system will pick up enough moisture and nutrients to survive the season.

If you just planted seedlings or non-mature trees, situated in poor (hard) soil, you might help 'm a bit but don't overdo it, they need to grow 'tough', develop their root system and over watering will make them grow skinny and weak. Better to give them an extra splash 'n dash and some manure once they start growing again but that's still months away. (i.e. when the neighbours come nicking the reddish-tinted new leaves)

Very astute, Gipsy...
A more than definitive answer.

Originally Posted by Gipsy

Don't. If they're well established mature (fruit-bearing) trees their wide-spread root system will pick up enough moisture and nutrients to survive the season.

If you just planted seedlings or non-mature trees, situated in poor (hard) soil, you might help 'm a bit but don't overdo it, they need to grow 'tough', develop their root system and over watering will make them grow skinny and weak. Better to give them an extra splash 'n dash and some manure once they start growing again but that's still months away. (i.e. when the neighbours come nicking the reddish-tinted new leaves)

I just came across this post, I don't want to step on any toes here but I don't totally agree with you answer.

The answer is dependent on what you are looking for from the trees. If you are just looking for the tree to survive, your answer is pretty much correct,however if you are looking for production of fruit not so much correct. If you are desiring good production of premium fruit water is essential, the roots of any tree has very fine roots that grow off the main roots, if these are left to dry out they will die resulting in less water absorption, water being essential for fruit to develop you will have less flavor in the fruit.

Having many fruit trees here in Thailand it is my experience that trees never stop growing, thus a continued application of fertilizer is also essential. Before every watering a soup can full of a 16-16-16 fertilizer is recommended.

I hope this helps, and good luck with your mangos.

RPETER65, I cycle past a couple of commercial mango orchards and none of them have drip irrigation set up. On a commercial basis I'd assume they would have but they don't. Banana trees and cassava yes.
I'm not saying you're wrong in your post, in fact it's logical, but in practice I don't see it.

Every orchard is different,soils are different ,water availability is different,growers are different so what is the norm?we have only three rai under fruit and struggle to water from the local supply,but will be putting in a deep well in the new year.so hope to manage till then it's been the hottest and driest I've known in years.i have several Thai friends with up to 30 rai with fruit some spend all day watering because the haven't put in piped systems yet.If you want a good crop water will be need all the dry season.

Originally Posted by RPETER65

Originally Posted by Gipsy

Don't. If they're well established mature (fruit-bearing) trees their wide-spread root system will pick up enough moisture and nutrients to survive the season.

If you just planted seedlings or non-mature trees, situated in poor (hard) soil, you might help 'm a bit but don't overdo it, they need to grow 'tough', develop their root system and over watering will make them grow skinny and weak. Better to give them an extra splash 'n dash and some manure once they start growing again but that's still months away. (i.e. when the neighbours come nicking the reddish-tinted new leaves)

I just came across this post, I don't want to step on any toes here but I don't totally agree with you answer.

The answer is dependent on what you are looking for from the trees. If you are just looking for the tree to survive, your answer is pretty much correct,however if you are looking for production of fruit not so much correct. If you are desiring good production of premium fruit water is essential, the roots of any tree has very fine roots that grow off the main roots, if these are left to dry out they will die resulting in less water absorption, water being essential for fruit to develop you will have less flavor in the fruit.

Having many fruit trees here in Thailand it is my experience that trees never stop growing, thus a continued application of fertilizer is also essential. Before every watering a soup can full of a 16-16-16 fertilizer is recommended.

I hope this helps, and good luck with your mangos.

We have quite a big mango tree at the rear of of our house, which just as it starts to show blossom I give it about 4 gallons of water with small amount of soluble fertilizer in twice a week , this tree is still producing fruit long after all the other tree's in the village have finished , and Jan gets a few baht selling them , of course its all down to the large spirit house directly under the tree ,and the TLC I give it has nothing to do with it

It's each to their own.

# 1, prune the trees very aggressively ( if not sure how to do it, hire someone with experience; do not butcher the trees )
# 2, go to your local fertilizer store, ask what can they give you for a growth retardant, ( they need about 90 days of no growth for flowering ); apply correct measure.
# 3, after 90 or more days; it they do not flower naturally ( and it is not raining ) back to the fertilizer store, get a mango flowering agent & spray.
# 4, when the fruit is about pea size, spray again with calcium-boron. It will help you retain the fruit.
# 5, when the fruit starts growing in earnest, you will need to have a plan on how to deal with the fruit fly & other assorted visitors or you will not have any to eat.

If left untrimmed, they tend to flower & fruit every other year or less.
Mango season is now in full swing, you may want to wait a few month for the summer crop.

You put too much fertilizer, mango trees, unless very young, do not need watering.

No Mangos - Farming in Thailand Forum - Thailand Forum

I believe there is too much thought and human-induced interference with mangos, in particular [applying to this thread]....

Remembering that the varieties of mangos are quite native to the region [India/Thailand] so have become apt and accustomed to climate/weather cycles that the broader region has shown over the ages......and the species adjust for the survival of itself naturally - not requiring any overt human "scientific" concern.

Of course, one could create argument towards horticultural management as it applies to orchard/production mangos - hybrid mechanics, pruning, moisture levels, fertilizer, preparing soils, etc.....

Mango is extraordinarily hardy and withstands fire, drought, flood without any cause, regenerating and holding their own.

The species doesn't require a lot of human fussing and watchdogs, even if we might over-rule such notions.

Of course each one to their own way of doing things , all I know is our tree produces 3 times as many fruit and our seasons lasts far longer than any other mango tree in our village I did read on the rubber section that Farang rubber farmers tree's produce more latex than Thai owned ones .

Read post 1497 , I mean FFS lets have it right the majority of Thai's can't even put a spoonful of oil on the chain and gears on their bicycles or make sure the brakes are working , Lights when out at night? you can forget them cos their 200 baht amulet take s care of that , its all down to Buddhas will https://teakdoor.com/farming-and-gard...-101-a-60.html (Rubber trees 101)

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

RPETER65, I cycle past a couple of commercial mango orchards and none of them have drip irrigation set up. On a commercial basis I'd assume they would have but they don't. Banana trees and cassava yes.
I'm not saying you're wrong in your post, in fact it's logical, but in practice I don't see it.

I don't see it in our area either, we have lived in the same place for 9 years, I didn't pay much attention to the orchard until my wife's dad past away thee years ago, since then I have gradually become more active in the operation. In the last three years, working with advice from my brother in the U.S., who is a horticulturist I have steadily increased both the quality, and amount of fruit, we have worked with adjusting the frequency of watering and application of fertilizer, from the looks of the trees this will be our best year.

^ Good luck with that. Anyone involved in farming, grass roots level, excuse the pun, deserves some luck.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

^ Good luck with that. Anyone involved in farming, grass roots level, excuse the pun, deserves some luck.

What are you saying?

Water every day

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Water every day

An old Aussie mate of mine who lives about 20 minutes drive from me is the envy of his village as far as Mango's go ,he planted two tree's about 12 years ago right at the edge of his big duck /catfish pond , the quantity and quality of his mango's are light years ahead of the other villagers who just leave them to take care of themselves , the water in it is like oxtail soup with all the shit going in off the ducks and catfish which appears to suit his tree's really well .

When I post on a forum, I'm just asking for different opinions, then I go with my gut. To me any living thing needs water. I have been watering deep once a week.I don't want my trees to just survive, I want them to thrive.

Originally Posted by tunk

When I post on a forum, I'm just asking for different opinions, then I go with my gut. To me any living thing needs water. I have been watering deep once a week.I don't want my trees to just survive, I want them to thrive.

I also have two lime tree's /bush's behind our house which I water every week mixed with a little Urea, theres at least 8 Lime tree's in our village but they come here to buy Limes off my wife Jan , Go figure

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Originally Posted by tunk

When I post on a forum, I'm just asking for different opinions, then I go with my gut. To me any living thing needs water. I have been watering deep once a week.I don't want my trees to just survive, I want them to thrive.

Then go with post #10.

Edit: Here's another tip. Do not burn Mango leaves or make charcoal from its wood. It's toxic.

What if your good wife partially burns them accidently...?

that's interesting,

we topped up the Land and after 2 years the Teak Trees died, about 13 of them, the two Mango's [grafted] survived and no we don't water them!

the Teak Trees are now recycled timber, also saw dust from Teak will poison pot plants if mixed in with the soil,

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Water every day

In the off-season, only if you have too....