Q:How can you tell when mamey fruit are ripe and how many months does it take? What should I do for the leaves that yellow?

M.G., Miami

A: Depending on the variety and time of year, it takes from 13 to 24 months from flowering to fruit maturity. To tell if the fruit are ready to be harvested, scrape the skin of the fruit. If the flesh underneath looks like the correct color for that variety (pink, red or orange), the fruit are ready to harvest. You can leave the fruit on the counter for a few days to soften and fully ripen.

For mature trees, fertilize four times a year at the rate of two to six pounds of 6-6-6, 8-8-8, or 8-3-9 with magnesium fertilizer per application, depending on the size of the tree. Avoid nitrogen fertilizers in the late fall or winter. Spray with a micronutritional foliar spray two to five times a year to help correct leaf yellowing or use chelated iron (Sequestrene 138). Spray from mid-March to September.

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