Mango trees, or Mangifera indica, are popular for their delicious fruit and ornamental value. Though growing mango trees from seeds in cooler climates may not yield fruit, they make beautiful foliage plants for conservatories or greenhouses. Here’s how to successfully grow a mango tree.
Types of Mango Trees to Grow
There are various mango varieties, each offering unique flavors:
- Mango ‘Alphonso’: A popular Indian variety with golden-green fruits and a mild, sweet taste.
- Mango ‘Kesar’: Known for its extremely sweet, fiber-free orange flesh.
- Mango ‘Honey’: Offers a sweet and sour flavor with firm, fiber-free yellow flesh.
- Mango ‘Francis’: Produces juicy fruits with a sweet, fruity flavor.
- Mango ‘Haden’: A variety with sweet and sour flesh, featuring a hint of bitterness.
- Mango ‘Kent’: Juicy fruits with minimal fibers, perfect for juicing and drying.
What You’ll Need
To grow mango trees successfully, you’ll need:
- A deep pot (at least 45 cm) for the long tap roots.
- Free-draining compost, like cactus compost.
- A warm environment: Keep temperatures above 21°C (70°F) and never below 4°C (40°F).
- Adequate sunlight: Provide at least 8 hours daily, ideally by placing the tree outside during summer.
- Humidity: Regularly mist the tree and surround it with other plants to create a humid microclimate.
Growing Mango Trees from Seed
Follow these steps:
- Remove the flesh from a ripe mango to expose the seed.
- Let the seed dry for 3-4 days, then peel back the outer layer to reveal the inner seed.
- Plant the seed 2 cm deep in a container with cactus compost.
- Water the pot and keep it in a warm area (around 21°C/70°F). Germination typically takes 1-2 weeks.
Nurturing Your Mango Tree
As the seedling grows, repot it into larger pots with free-draining compost. Maintain the ideal temperature (21°C/70°F) and mist regularly. Feed monthly during the growing season and water when the top compost dries out. Repot the tree when it becomes root-bound.
Pruning and Propagation
Prune mature mango trees in late summer to remove dead branches and thin the canopy. You can also propagate a mango tree from cuttings taken in summer by following these steps:
- Take a 15-20 cm cutting from a healthy stem.
- Dip it in rooting hormone powder and plant it in cactus compost.
- Keep the cutting warm (24-29°C/75-85°F) and moist until roots develop (7-8 weeks).
Common Pests and Diseases
- Aphids: Remove them with a strong water jet or insecticide spray.
- Mealybugs: Use insecticide to manage these sap-sucking pests.
- Anthracnose: Prevent fungal infections by ensuring proper sunlight and water, and remove any infected leaves promptly.
