Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Oak and mango blossom


This morning, I was standing under one of the oak trees and realized there was a familiar humming above my head. For a moment, I thought the bees must have swarmed, but they were just collecting pollen from the extraordinary abundance of flowers the oaks have produced for the second year in a row. I'm sure it's the shock of a sharp cold spell that encourages them flower so prolifically.

And for a third year running, the mango trees are covered in blossom; again, I'm sure, because of the cold weather. (Who knew mango trees like a shot of cold?) We should have another bumper crop in a few months. If you don't live in the right climate to grow mangoes, consider moving!



















16 comments:

Floridagirl said...

I would love to move to your part of Florida and have your type of "cold." We do have the occasional mango tree in our neck of the woods...they are so pretty in bloom...but if you don't have the right microclimate, they will fry here. Our oaks are not blooming yet. How I dread the spring allergies! I'm allergic to tree pollen.

NanaK said...

I'm with Floridagirl on the tree pollen allergy. Our oaks will be right behind yours in flowering. The month of March is always a messy one around here.

The mango blossoms are so pretty and the tree so large. Where warm pockets occur around here they can grow but I've not seen any that size.

In case you don't read my answer to your comment on my blog, I wanted to let you know that I have some of your blue basil seeds sprouting! Thanks for sharing.

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

our mango trees are also starting to bloom in profusion so it will be a bumper crop year!

i love all the coastal oaks down there in the south...beautiful

Terra Mirabilis said...

@FG: Mango blossom does look pretty, but it has a peculiar, and not altogether pleasant, fragrance. Still, over the years I've come to associate it with the promise of mangoes and thus learned to appreciate it.

My first years here brought on a spring pollen allergy, but then it cleared up, but I remain sympathetic to those who have to go through the annual ordeal.

@Nana: Actually, very large mango trees tend not to produce so much fruit, so mango enthusiasts know to keep the their trees a manageable size. You can even grow them in containers, now, with the advent of small cultivars. Maybe you should give that a go, because you could drape the tree with something protective if a freeze threatens.

And I'm glad the basil is growing. :-)

@Noel: Aloha! Yes, our native live oaks (Quercus virginiana) are magnificent, aren't they?

Would you believe that when I spent a year on Maui I didn't like mangoes! Crazy!

Sunray Gardens said...

Truly beautiful photos and blooms.

Cher
Goldenray Yorkies

Terra Mirabilis said...

Thanks, Sunray. My cheapo Kodak continues to surprise me!

James David said...

I not seen any mango trees shoots out so many blooms like that in my region.
It must surely bring lots of fruits.

Susan said...

Beautiful blooms on both your oak and mango. I guess a little cold weather can be good for us. Have a wonderful weekend!

Terra Mirabilis said...

Hey, Susan. Thanks, and you, too!

Terra Mirabilis said...

Hey, James. Believe me, they usually don't do this, but for the last three years we've had a sharp cold spell and I think that's what they respond to. When do your trees bloom?

Wally said...

Love the fruit, know next to nothing about the plant. What beautiful blossoms!

Terra Mirabilis said...

Thanks, Mac. They must grow up around Darwin, so I guess you're way south.

I'm really not a fan of the blossoms or their perfume, but I look forward to them because of the end result!

Meems said...

So pretty, Penny... both the oaks and the mangoes. Our oaks should have some blooms in a couple of weeks. Mango trees are so pretty when full of flower. Love your bee(s).
Meems

Terra Mirabilis said...

Thanks, Meems. I'm astonished to find so much pollen on the plants below the oak. Thank heavens, I don't suffer from that allergy!

My little Kodak camera continues to impress me, too.

Unknown said...

I am suffering so much this year from the Mango pollen. A huge tree resides in my backyard and whenever I go outside, I come in with my hair full of the blossoms. It looks like it's raining flowers in my back yard.

Terra Mirabilis said...

Hi, Tara. I'm so sorry you are another one with that pollen allergy. The only consolation, I guess, is all that fruit in just a few months. :-)