If you live in an area with a climate suitable for growing the mango tree, you can decide to plant it and grow it yourself to enjoy its delicious tropical fruits rich in vitamins. With a little time and patience, it won't be difficult to get a mango tree straight from the seed. Test your green thumb with this tropical fruit and you'll have a beautiful tree in no time.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Evaluate if the habitat where you live is favorable for mango cultivation
Although it is a tree that does not require much maintenance once planted, it does require precise conditions in order to develop. Mangoes prefer a very warm climate and can withstand both arid and wet / swampy areas. Most grow in the equatorial areas, in the United States it is found mainly in Florida. If you live in an area where the average annual temperature is around 26-37 ° C and there are no frosts during the winter, then you can be successful with your cultivar.
The rains should not exceed 300 mm per year
Step 2. Choose where you want to grow the mango
It can grow in pots or in the garden. The important thing is that it is exposed to direct sunlight, which means that indoor cultivation is not suitable (although you can bring the pot indoors during the winter). The size of the tree changes according to the variety, but on average it grows a lot, even over 3-4 meters. Also, choose an area where it has plenty of space and is not overshadowed by other large trees.
Step 3. Choose the mango variety
There are many, but only a few can develop well in specific areas. Go to your local nursery and find the one that best suits your region's climate. You can grow mango in two ways: from a seed or with a graft. It takes 8 years for a tree born from seed to bear fruit, but it may never produce any if it has not been grafted. Grafts, on the other hand, produce fruits after 3-5 years and guarantee a good harvest. If you prefer to grow your tree from a seed, buy a fruit that comes from a strong and productive tree; if you buy one from the greengrocer, you probably won't get anything.
- The grafts produce trees that are about half as many as those born from seed.
- Seed-born trees are stronger and more resilient but do not produce large fruit.
- If you want to understand the environmental limitations of your region, there are a couple of varieties that also grow in colder conditions than noted above.
Step 4. Prepare the ground
Mangoes prefer loose, sandy soil that drains water well. Check the pH to make sure it meets the mango-friendly limits: between 4, 5 and 7 (acidic soil). Add peat annually to make sure the acidity remains constant. Do not use chemical fertilizers or other products that contain salt as they hinder the tree's development. Loosen the soil to a minimum depth of 90cm, so there is plenty of room for the roots to spread.
Step 5. Know when to plant
The best time is early summer when the weather is hot but there are still rains. However, the correct season also depends on the variety, so ask the nursery for advice. The Beverly and Keitt varieties should not be planted before August / September.
Part 2 of 3: Growing a Tree from Seed
Step 1. Select a large poly-embryonic ripe mango
If you live in an area where mangoes are grown, go to an orchard. If you can't rely on the fruit of a strong and healthy tree, ask your greengrocer to help you pick one. Remind the clerk that the mango must be poly-embryonic, otherwise no trees will grow.
Step 2. Remove and clean the core
Eat the fruit or remove the pulp until you reach the fibrous seed. Clean it with a soft brush or a steel wool sponge. Remove only the pulp residues that have remained attached.
Step 3. Prepare the seed
Let it dry overnight in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Open the stone with a sharp knife, just like you would with an oyster. Be careful not to cut too deep so as not to damage the inner seed. Pry with the knife and remove the seed that looks like a large lima bean.
Step 4. Make it germinate
Put it in a container with quality soil, you have to bury the concave part for about 2, 5 cm. Moisten the soil and store the container in a warm, shady place until the sprout comes out. It will take 1-3 weeks.
Step 5. Plant the seed
At this point the seed must be buried in its final location. If you have decided to grow it outdoors, try to put it in the right place and avoid transplanting it, so you will not have to worry and you will not give the tree an unnecessary shock.
Part 3 of 3: Planting a Mango Tree
Step 1. Dig a hole
Use a shovel and dig a hole that is 2-4 times the size of your seedling root system. If the area is covered with grass, know that you will have to remove it for a radius of 60 cm from the hole to make room for the tree. Mix a little compost with the soil you have removed (at most 50%) and which will subsequently cover the roots.
Step 2. Plant the tree
Remove the seedling from the container and place it in the hole. The base of the tree should be at the same level or slightly above the ground. Put the soil you dug back into the hole to cover the roots and compact it slightly. Mangoes prefer loose soil, so don't apply too much pressure.
Step 3. During the first year of life, add some natural fertilizer once a month
A 6-6-2 blend should be fine. Dissolve the fertilizer with a little hot water before applying it, keep the solution on hand for a monthly use.
Step 4. Water the mango
Usually it does not like an excess of water, but during the first week you should water it a little more. Give him two tablespoons of water every day for the first week, then continue at the rate of 1-2 times a week during the first year of life. You can also install an irrigation system when the tree has passed its first year and let the rain do its work.
Step 5. Control weeds
They can become a major problem for mangoes if they are not plucked regularly. Eliminate any plants and weeds as soon as they appear near the mango trunk. Add a thin layer of mulch to allow the soil to retain moisture and prevent the development of weeds. You can also put some compost with the mulch to give the mango some nutrients.
Step 6. Prune when necessary
The goal is to ensure the branches have the necessary space to develop, since the fruits will be born at the ends of the same (called floral endings). After the fruit season (autumn), cut the branches 2.5 cm from the trunk if there is too much crowding in the center. You can also prune your mango to limit its growth by removing branches that are too tall or wide. If you are unsure about pruning, ask a nurseryman for advice.
Step 7. Reap the rewards
Mangoes can be of various colors, shapes and sizes based on the variety; consequently you cannot know if it is ripe until you open it. You can try to get an idea of it from the scent and texture, but only the use of a knife will give you the certainty. If the flesh is yellow to the core, then the fruit is ripe for eating. If it is white and very hard, wait 1-2 more weeks. If you harvest the fruit too early, you can still ripen it in a paper bag at room temperature. Alternatively, you can pick them still unripe and cut them into julienne strips to prepare a delicious side salad for fish dishes.
Advice
- To ensure optimal growth, space the mango tree about 3.5-4 meters from the surrounding trees.
- Do not water it excessively so as not to damage it.
- Protect your young mango tree from winter frost by wrapping it in a tent or blanket.
