Nicknamed by some as the “king of fruits,” mango is one of the most exotic and tasty foods of the summer season, and not only. But have you ever wondered how to grow mango ? What are the characteristics and perfect growing conditions for this tree? And how are mango trees grafted?
We try to reveal these and other characteristics in the following lines, hoping that they can help you grow a delicious mango in the best way!
How to Plant a Mango Tree
Let’s start by remembering that mango trees prefer to be planted outdoors in a sunny and warm location. To plant, simply dig a hole in the ground a little larger than the root itself and place the tree, covering with soil and providing good water.
What are the varieties of mango?
There are over 500 varieties of mangoes worldwide , although not all are readily available for cultivation.
In any case, the trees are mostly sold as grafted saplings, although some varieties can be grown from seed. With mango seeds, you will have to be more patient, as it usually takes about eight years to produce fruit, while grafted saplings take three to five years.
Read also: How to grow medlars
What are the problems of mango hotels
Mangoes are a favorite of many birds, including fruit bats . As a result, as soon as you notice fruit on the trees, it can be helpful to tie a plastic bag around the fruit to protect it.
Another very common problem for mango trees is fruit flies , and again the simple plastic bag method, above, can help keep them away.
Mangoes are also quite susceptible to anthracnose – a fungal disease that causes black spots on the leaves and fruit. To avoid this problem, simply plant your mango in an area with good air circulation, and do not wet the foliage. Be sure to prune off the affected parts, bag them, and put them in the garbage to prevent the spread of fungal spores.
Watering
Mango trees like to be kept well watered from spring to fall, but in late winter, before flowering begins, they should be watered sparingly. Younger trees need more water than older ones, with the latter not requiring much watering.
Collection
Mangoes can be picked depending on taste preferences but, generally, when their skin turns yellow or orange. However, it is also true that some recipes call for green mangoes. The fruit is generally ripe about 100 – 150 days after flowering.
Pruning Mango Trees
Mango trees are extremely hardy and require no effort whatsoever, including pruning. So, just leave them alone and they will thrive without any pruning!
Fertilization
Fertilize your mango tree in the warmer months to promote new growth and a stronger trunk. Be careful not to over-fertilize young trees, and use a good mulch around the base of the tree to protect it from drying out too quickly.
How to Grow a Mango Tree from a Cutting
Using a pair of sharp pruning shears, cut a branch from a mother tree . Remove all the leaves and fill a jar with water and a small amount of rooting hormone, then place the branch in the water.
Remove the branch every day to air it out and change the water every three days. You will notice that some white nodes will start to appear: this is the new growth.
When a few leaves have sprouted, place the cutting in the soil in a small pot . Cover with a plastic bag until more leaves appear.
When the cutting seems more established, place the plant in the ground in a warm, sunny location and let it grow.
How to Grow a Mango from a Seed
If you want to go the long way, simply cut the mango peel and remove the seed from inside. Then plant it in a small pot and cover it with soil. Leave in a warm place, watering every two days until the sprouts form. Germination can occur after 14 days.
Remember, however, that it can take three to six years for the new plants to produce fruit.
We hope that these brief suggestions on how to grow mangoes can be useful to you so that you can confidently approach the cultivation of a plant that could give you great satisfaction!
As we mentioned a few lines ago, one of the most important elements to take into account when growing your mango is patience. In fact, it may take a few years before you can get a good harvest from your new mango tree.
You can of course speed things up by grafting, or even better by directly purchasing a mango tree that is already fruiting, which you can simply manage, also enjoying the fact that there is practically no maintenance to do, except constant attention to protect the specimen from the risks of infestations by various animals.
