If left unpruned, approx how tall will it eventually grow to?
Not sure about in Cali specifically, but VP is usually considered a vigorous variety. Reportedly gets to 20-25ft relatively quickly. If left completely unpruned, I wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually got to 50+ feet. All my info is from a Florida 10b perspective though. Not sure if mangos are as vigorous (or moreso) in dryer California.
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Thanks for the info. Considering whether to prune a little fruit tree or let it get as big as possible. There’s been no winter growth during this 1st year in the ground, not sure if mangos grow during the winter in FL? Will try to show progress and send a pic of current size/shape, am curious about the correctness of the current scaffolding height on the tree.
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Thx for your take. Will be exciting to taste the fruit for the 1st time.
Assuming this VP tree is on Florida Turpentine rootstock it will never grow fast or get even close to the 50 foot trees in Florida. If you have it in a raised bed, with fast draining, sandy, optimum soil, with a ph of around 5.5, it will probably grow to around 15 feet after many years. Grafted mangoes on Turpentine root grow rather slow if you have good conditions and weather in 10b.They are also highly prone to root rot. Your best bet is to buy a Manilla seedling tree from Lowes and graft on to it after several years. The seedling trees are much faster growing in our native soil. As well they are much more hardy in our climate and won’t flower prematurely, ensuring the best mango possibilities here in Ca. Whatever you do, do not fruit the tree until it’s off a good size. That means cutting off the fruitset when the fruits are about the size of a dime. Continue to do this until the tree is around 7 feet tall and 2 inch trunk diameter. This is the only safe way to deal with the weak Turpentine rootstock here in Ca. In Florida it is designed to grow slow and not get out of hand in a true tropical enviorment where mangoes grow really fast almost year round. Some of the best tasting varieties to graft on your Manilla are, Sweet Tart, Cac, Orange Sherbert, Lemon Zest, Edward, Fruit Punch, and Coconut Creme. There are many more excellent varieties better than VP to graft as well. As a grafted Turpentine tree, VP is probably one of the best to grow here, assuming it has optimal conditions, just remember to let it get good size before fruiting.
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