Q:I have a dwarf Julie mango in full sun that is 10 years old but it's only three feet tall. The fruits drop when pea-size.

B.B.,

Dania Beach

A: A tree that hasn't grown much for this long a period indicates that it was planted too deeply or was root-bound when planted. Remove the tree and replant with another mango, but not in the same hole.

When planting trees, carefully remove any excess soil that is on top of the roots and make sure that the top of the root ball is a little higher than the surrounding soil. Do not make the hole deeper than the size of the root ball. Avoid adding amendments such as potting soil, peat or fertilizers to the planting hole. Make sure the roots don't dry out after planting.

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030 or e-mail aghu@ifas.ufl.edu.

To send plant samples, wrap them in paper in a padded envelope or box. Don't put any sample in plastic bags.

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