Endeavour Hills resident Redge Oorloff is thrilled his 10-year-old mango tree has finally sprouted fruit. Picture: Stewart Chambers.
By Rebecca Fraser
IT IS not often that little kids beg to eat fruit.
But ever since Redge Oorloff’s 10-year-old mango tree sprouted fruit for the first time his grandchildren have been anxiously waiting for a taste test.
The Endeavour Hills resident said he was not surprised, but instead absolutely thrilled, that the tropical fruit had finally sprouted with 10 healthy mangos almost ripe for eating.
The 67-year-old avid gardener said he had planted the tropical plant to remind him of his home country of Sri Lanka but he never expected fruit to grow due to Victoria’s colder climate. Mr Oorloff said he fed the tree only once a year with liquid fertiliser but watered it regularly. Since retirement he said his garden had become his pride and joy and he had grown many things ranging from a Tahitian lime tree, chilli plants, curry leaves to plums and peaches.
“It is strange that after ten years ten big mangos have grown. I had read in another local paper that a 12-year-old mango tree had grown 12 mango trees in the Western suburbs but that is the first I had heard,” he said.
Mr Oorloff’s wife Hilary said the family was water conscious and saved as much household water as possible for their garden.
“It is hard with water restrictions but he gets me to save the dish water from rinsing which we then put on the garden,” she said.
Mr Oorloff said he was not surprised that the plant had adapted to the climate.
“I grow curry leaves but I did not want to grow them in a pot so I planted them in the ground. I used to cover them with a shade cloth to protect them from the frost but after about four years I stopped. They still kept growing despite the temperature and just adapted,” he said.
The former purchasing officer with the Victorian police force said his grandson Jake would be the first to eat the mangos and he may even drive to his Hoppers Crossing home to make a special delivery.
He said friends and family were also lining up for a sample and he enjoyed sitting back and enjoying the fruits of his labour.
“Even when I am in a ball of sweat out in the garden working I still feel refreshed.
“I think it needs to be under 26 degrees to enjoy being out in the garden.
“But if it is hot and work needs to be done I will do it,” he said.
Mr Oorloff said he was now keeping a watchful eye on the tree as they waited for the fruit to ripen.
“I won’t let anyone touch it as I am scared they will fall off.
“I say within the next ten days they will be ready for eating,” he said.
