Mango Management in brief – June to Agust In the middle of an unpredictable winter phase, special attention should be paid to tree conditions and flower development. Actions taken or planned must always be scrutinized against climatic conditions and spreading risk. At this time we concentrate on key activities ensuring strong and healthy flower bud development. We also plan for the flowering and fruit set phase. Good planning and disciplined management during these pre-harvest phases pay their dividends when fruit are harvested.

Flower Bud Development
The most important principles in this growth phase are to keep the presence of disease to an absolute minimum. The positioning of copper sprays should primarily be to protect new growth.  All dead branches and old flower panicles must be cleaned from trees and inside growth can be removed. Post-harvest growth that was severely damaged by gallfly and twig miner and died back as a result thereof should also be removed.

Fertilizing
It is time to apply calcium and potassium. Both these elements are important for good internal quality and the best times to apply these elements are the pre-flower, flower and fruit set phases. Potassium nitrate foliar applications were shown to aid in achieving a good flower and fruit set. According to your fertilizer recommendation, boron and zinc should be applied. Remember that Boron is essential for good fertilization of the flowers to ensure good set.

Irrigation
Water use by the mango tree is at its lowest at the moment. Excessive irrigation can stimulate untimely growth and flower development. Withholding water can help to synchronize flower development.

Flowering and fruit set
 
Disease control
Start your flower-complex spray with a copper application. It is advised to continue with the copper spray program through the extended flower and fruit set phase. Distributing the systemic fungicides evenly has been shown to be beneficial against post harvest diseases. Sulphur applications between the systemic treatments help prevent resistance built-up and also have a positive effect on thrips.

Irrigation
Flower growth and fruit set use a lot of built-up energy in a tree. Water use increase as well. Full irrigation schedules must be followed from now on through the fruit growth phases. Pest control Not all thrips that are present on the mango flowers do damage fruit! Only from a fruit set stage can citrus and red-banded thrips affect fruit. Careful scouting and monitoring of thrips presence must determine chemical actions.