Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparing for Planting
• Method 2 of 3: Growing a tree from a seed
• Method 3 of 3: Planting a Mango Tree
• Tips
• Warnings

If you live in a mango-friendly climate, you can plant and grow your own mango tree and enjoy sweet, vitamin-packed tropical fruits for years on end. With a little time and patience, it is easy enough to grow a mango tree from seeds or from a small plant. Try your hand at growing this tropical fruit and you'll grow a full-sized tree in no time.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparing for Planting

1. 1 Determine if you have if you have the appropriate conditions. Although mangoes do not require much maintenance immediately after planting, they do have some conditions under which they must grow. Mangoes grow well in high temperatures and can grow in both wet / swampy and arid areas. Most mangoes are grown near the equator, and in the United States, they are mostly grown in Florida. If you live in an area where the average summer temperature is 30-40 ° C and the winters are cool but not frosty, then you can probably grow mangoes.
   • Rainfall in your area should not exceed 300 mm. in year.
2. 2 Select a site for growing a mango tree. Mangoes can be grown in pots or in spacious outdoor areas. They prefer a lot of heat and direct sunlight, which means they don't grow well indoors (although they can be potted out for the winter). The size of the mango tree varies depending on the variety: they can be quite large and exceed a height of 3-5 meters. So, to grow well, choose an area with plenty of space and no shade from other large trees.
3. 3 Choose a mango variety. There are many different varieties of mango on the market, but few grow well in specific areas. Visit your local nursery to find out which grows best in your area. Mangoes can be grown in one of two ways: with a mango seed or from a grafted seedling. Mango seeds usually take 8 years to bear fruit, but may take longer if not grafted. The grafted seedlings bear fruit in 3-5 years and are almost guaranteed to give a good harvest. If you decide to plant from seeds, choose a mango from those trees that, you know for sure, successfully grow and bear fruit; Taking a seed from a store-bought mango probably won't grow a good tree.
   • Grafted seedlings are usually about half the size of the seed of the fruit that is planted.
   • Trees grown from seed tend to be much stronger and more resilient, but yield lower yields.
   • If you're looking for the mango's limits, there are several species that are capable of growing in conditions that are slightly cooler and more humid than the aforementioned guidelines.
4. 4 Prepare the soil. Mango grows well in loose, sandy soil that absorbs water well. Check the pH of the soil to see if it is in the correct acid range. Trees grow best in soil that has a pH of 4.5-7 (acidic). Add peat to the soil annually to keep the acidity high. Avoid using chemical fertilizers or any food that contains salt, as these will hinder the growth of your mango tree. Dig up the soil to a depth of about 1 m. This will give enough room for the roots to grow.
5. 5 Know when to plant. Mango trees should usually be planted in late spring or early summer when the weather can be described as rainy / sunny. The planting season will vary by species, so check with your local nursery to find out when you should plant your mangoes. Some varieties, such as Beverly and Keith, do not need to be planted until August / September.

Method 2 of 3: Growing a tree from a seed

1. 1 Choose a large ripe poly germ mango. If you live in an area with many mangoes, visit the local orchards to pick a fruit. If you don't have access to a growing mango tree, visit a local grocer or farmer's market to pick a fruit. Ask your dealer for help in choosing a poly-germ fruit (these are the only fruits that will produce a fruiting tree from the seeds).
2. 2 Remove and clean the bone. Eat the mango or remove all of the pulp from the fruit until the fibrous bone is exposed. Clean the bone with a stiff brush or steel swab until all lint is removed. Be careful not to scrape off the outer coating of the seed, but only remove the fruit fibers that are still attached.
3. 3 Prepare the seed for planting. Dry the pit overnight in a cool place, away from direct sunlight. Open the seed with a sharp knife, as you would for example pulling an oyster out of a shell, being careful not to cut too deep so as not to damage the closed seed. Open the pit and pull out a seed that resembles a large lima bean.
4. 4 Sprout a seed. Place the seed in a container filled with quality potting soil, about 3 cm deep, with the concave side down. Moisten the soil and store the container in a warm, shaded area until the seed sprouts. This process usually takes 1-3 weeks.
5. 5 Plant the seed. At this point, the seed is ready to be planted permanently. If you plan on growing your mango outdoors, try planting it outdoors right away, rather than planting it indoors and replanting it later, as this way you won't have to worry about hardening it or being shocked by the transplant.

Method 3 of 3: Planting a Mango Tree

1. 1 Dig a planting hole. In the selected area, use a shovel to dig a hole 2 to 4 times the size of the root ball of the mango plant. If you are planting in an area where there is grass, remove the grass from the area and about 60 cm around the area to make room for the tree. Mix some compost (no more than a 50/50 mixture) with the soil that has been dug up and will be replaced around the roots.
2. 2 Plant a tree. Remove the seedling from the container or place the seed in the hole. The base of the tree / sprout should be level or slightly above the ground. Replace the soil you dug by filling the hole around the tree with the mixture and tamping it lightly. Mango trees grow best in loose soil, so you shouldn't tamp the soil too hard after filling the hole.
3. 3 Fertilize the tree. In the first year, fertilize the mango tree / sprout once a month with a non-chemical fertilizer. Fertilizer with a 6-6-6-2 mixture should be good. For application, you can dissolve the fertilizer in lukewarm water, and keep the solution on hand for monthly use.
4. 4 Water the mango tree. Mango trees do not like a lot of water, but the watering should be slightly above average for the first week. Give the plant a few tablespoons of water every other day for the first week, then water it once or twice a week for the first year. You can build an irrigation system when the tree is a year old and let the natural rainwater do its job.
5. 5 Prevent weed growth. Weeds can be a serious problem for mango trees if not taken regularly. Weed regularly to remove any plants that are growing near the tree trunk. Also, add a thick layer of mulch around the tree to trap moisture and prevent weeds from growing. You can also add some compost to the mulch to help the tree stock up on extra nutrients.
6. 6 Prune the tree when necessary. The goal of pruning is to give as much space as possible for the branches to form, as the fruit will develop at the ends of the branches.Cut off the branches 3 cm from the trunk, if it is too thick near the center, as a rule, this is done after harvest (in autumn). Also, you can prune the tree to limit outdoor growth by simply pruning branches that are too tall or too wide. If you have questions about a specific mango tree, visit your local nursery and ask questions there.
7. 7 Harvest the mango. Since mangoes vary in color, shape, and size depending on the variety, you cannot tell if the fruit is ripe until you cut it open. You can get a general idea of ​​its ripeness depending on its softness and aroma, but to fully understand it, you need to cut it up. When the pulp is yellow to the bone, you can eat it. If it is still white and hard, wait 1 to 2 weeks before checking again. If you pick the fruit early, you can make it ripe by placing it in a paper bag at room temperature for a few days. If you pick it early, then a good alternative is to make a salad by cutting the mango into strips and making a salad that goes well with fish dishes.

Tips

• For optimal growth, plant mango trees 4 meters away from other trees or from each other.
• Protect the young mango tree from the winter frost by covering or wrapping it well with a blanket.
• Make sure there is not a lot of water near the mango, otherwise it will freeze.

Warnings

• Anthracnose (plant spot) is fatal to mango trees because it affects all parts of the tree. Apply fungicides at the first appearance of black spots on the fruit.